Meet Tensaie Fesshaye

Tensaie was born in Texas but moved to Virginia when he was four years old and grew up in Virginia Beach. He started college at Virginia Commonwealth University but transferred to Old Dominion University and graduated with a degree in Biology and a minor in Environmental Sciences. While attending ODU, he interned at the Orchid House on campus under former Norfolk Botanical Garden curator, Marcus Jones. After graduation Tensaie was hired at NBG where he manages certain gardens and teaches classes. He currently oversees the Rose Garden. Tensaie moved to Norfolk to be closer to his work.

Tensaie was looking for ways to get more experience in gardening and learn about different aspects of horticulture, leading him to become a Norfolk Master Gardener in 2019. Since completing the MG program he feels more confident in volunteering as he works with professionals that have various specialties in horticulture. His favorite part of the classes was the variety of speakers.

Tensaie worked on various projects to attain his fifty hours: Ask a Master Gardener, Plant Sale, Fred Heutte Square Foot Garden, Crape Myrtle Pruning, Arbor Day Tree Giveaway, Legacy Grove, Germinator Blog, Jam'n Jamz, and potting plants at the city nursery.

Currently Tensaie serves on the Communications Committee and he particularly enjoys working at some of the larger events such as plant sales. He writes a featured column “This Month In The Garden” for our public-reaching newsletter, Let’s Grow Together.

When Tensaie isn’t working at NBG or on MG activities, he likes to bike and visit parks and gardens. One of his favorites is the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond.



His family consists of his parents and two sisters, one older and one younger.