Michelle Opela: A Journey from Sea Turtles to Plant Pests

Jennifer Brennan: Translating Plant Science for Everyday Gardeners

Jennifer Brennan has spent her career helping gardeners succeed—and proving that horticulture can be both educational and fun. In this episode of I Dig Your Story, host Ellen Wells talks with horticultural consultant Jennifer Brennan about her journey from a college greenhouse job and a dorm room overflowing with plants to becoming one of the most trusted gardening educators in the Chicago area. Along the way, Jennifer shares how she helped introduce Hello Kitty to the United States, why she returned to horticulture after a detour into sales, and how she built a career translating plant science into practical advice for everyday gardeners. Jennifer also discusses the biggest mistakes gardeners make, the challenge of combating misinformation on social media, and why listening skills are just as important as plant knowledge. In this episode: • How a greenhouse job for extra pocket money sparked a lifelong love of plants • The surprising career detour that eventually led back to horticulture • Why watering is the most misunderstood gardening skill • The importance of chemistry and science in plant care • How to handle social media’s unfortunate gardening advice • The reward of helping gardeners succeed Connect with Jennifer Brennan: info@jenniferbrennanhorticulture.com

Jazmin Albarran: Encouraging Careers in Horticulture

How do we inspire the next generation to choose horticulture careers if they don’t even know the industry exists?   We are celebrating Women in Horticulture Week with Seed Your Future Executive Director Jazmin Albarran. In this episode of I Dig Your Story, Ellen Wells talks with Jazmin about women in horticulture, workforce development, and the challenge of helping students, parents, and educators understand the breadth of opportunities available in the green industry.   Jazmin shares how her background in psychology, youth development, and communications unexpectedly led her into horticulture—and why she now believes the industry offers some of the most meaningful and fulfilling careers available.   The conversation explores: * Why horticulture is often an “accidental career” * The growing role of women in industry leadership * How Seed Your Future is connecting students with horticulture careers * The importance of social media in reaching younger generations * Why horticulture needs future leaders in technology, automation, business, marketing, and science   Katie Dubow, president of Garden Media Group, makes a special appearance to talk about the reasons GMG began Women in Horticulture Week in 2020 and how we can participate in lifting up women during this week of recognition.   Learn more: Seed Your Future [https://www.seedyourfuture.org/] - https://www.seedyourfuture.org I Am Horticulture Campaign [https://www.seedyourfuture.org/greenpro_under_40] - https://www.seedyourfuture.org/greenpro_under_40 [https://www.seedyourfuture.org/greenpro_under_40] Women in Horticulture LinkedIn Group [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/16299029/]- https://www.linkedin.com/groups/16299029/

Michelle Opela: A Journey from Sea Turtles to Plant Pests

What do sea turtles, corpse flowers, aphids, and philodendrons have in common? For Michelle Opela, they’re all part of a career journey that somehow led to horticulture. In this episode of I Dig Your Story, Michelle shares how she went from marine biology adventures in Alaska and Australia to becoming deeply involved in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biological controls, and plant health in the horticulture industry. Michelle also shares some of her pest and disease expertise. She breaks down complicated topics in a way home gardeners and industry pros alike can understand, including how to spot plant problems before bringing them home, why beneficial insects aren’t always simple for consumers to use, and the growing pressure to produce “perfect” plants. We also talk about: * Growing up obsessed with insects in rural New York * Working aboard fishing vessels in the Bering Sea * Tagging sharks and sea turtles in Australia * Beginner-friendly biological controls * Fungus gnats and dramatic houseplants * Michelle’s obsession with corpse flowers and other unusual plants Most importantly, Michelle reminds listeners that every gardener deals with pests eventually — and that it doesn’t make you a bad plant parent. Mentioned in This Episode * Cornell University * NOAA Fisheries * Costa Farms * BioWorks Learn More * BioWorks [https://bioworksinc.com] * Costa Farms [https://costafarms.com]

Delilah Onofrey: From "Flower Child" to Industry Storyteller

For three decades, Delilah Onofrey has helped tell the stories of the horticulture industry, first as editor of Greenhouse Grower and now as Marketing Director for Suntory Flowers. In this episode of I Dig Your Story, Delilah joins Ellen to talk about growing up among heirloom flowers in a historic Cleveland-area home, discovering journalism at Kent State University, and unexpectedly building and loving a lifelong career in floriculture. They discuss: * The evolution of her time in horticultural trade journalism * Why community beautification matters * How a trip to Japan changed her career path * How friendships and relationships shape business and opportunities Plus, Delilah shares her love of music in our Lightning Round.  Whether you work in horticulture or simply love hearing how careers evolve through curiosity and connection, this episode is full of warmth and perspective as only Delilah can deliver.   Find Delilah and Suntory Flowers: Home - Suntory Flowers [https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/suntoryflowers.com/___.YXAzOmJhbGxob3J0OmE6bzozY2Y0OWIzZWRhZWYzNGFmY2NkMWNkMjYyYTViNGQyNDo3OjI3ZDQ6MzYxZmY0YWY3NjlmZWU5YjVlOWFkOWFhODJkZmQ4OTdlZjYxMzIxZDQyNzgyZTZiOWRlZjA0YTJkOTA5YTJmMTpoOlQ6Tg] - www.suntoryflowers.com [http://www.suntoryflowers.com] (trade site) Home - Suntory Garden Club [https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/suntorygardenclub.com/___.YXAzOmJhbGxob3J0OmE6bzozY2Y0OWIzZWRhZWYzNGFmY2NkMWNkMjYyYTViNGQyNDo3OmUxNWU6ODZkZTZjOGFkMWZmMzE0ODAxOGUzMzg3NzE4YjBlNWFiYTdjOGIyM2I5ZmIyNGFlYWVmNTJjNTllOGNlZTgxYzpoOlQ6Tg] - www.suntorygardenclub.com (consumer site) Facebook [https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/www.facebook.com/SuntoryFlowers___.YXAzOmJhbGxob3J0OmE6bzozY2Y0OWIzZWRhZWYzNGFmY2NkMWNkMjYyYTViNGQyNDo3OmY1ZTg6MWI0YmYzOTk2NDlkMTNiNjgwYTdhNGI4MTAwMDc5NzYwYjQzMGE1MjE3OGE5ZWM0N2U5Y2ExMWRkNGI2Y2RlYjpoOlQ6Tg] - www.facebook.com/SuntoryFlowers Instagram [https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/www.instagram.com/suntoryflowers.na/___.YXAzOmJhbGxob3J0OmE6bzozY2Y0OWIzZWRhZWYzNGFmY2NkMWNkMjYyYTViNGQyNDo3OmUzYmE6YWE5MDg4YzQ5YWIwYzNhYmM2NjliNDgxYzc3ZWFiMmJlYzk4MTNhYmY0ZjViMDdmNWNmODFiNDBkMGY2MmUyZDpoOlQ6Tg] - www.instagram.com/suntoryflowers.na/   Can't Miss Video! Delilah unveils a special Rolling Stones "time capsule": https://youtu.be/JyR-G1hB7Uw [https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/youtu.be/JyR-G1hB7Uw___.YXAzOmJhbGxob3J0OmE6bzpiZjhlMjdkMjhhNzk1MmQ3Y2E2NWMzMDc1OTE0ZGJmNTo3OjQ1YzM6ZWU1YzNkMDJjOGNiYzk1YjY3YzFmY2E2YTZkNjkwMjY1NGI2NDVhMjhiZTMyZTIzMWViZDRiZTE2Mjk2OGI4NjpoOlQ6Tg]

David Bache: Growing What Others Won't

What happens when a landscape architect realizes the plants—not the plans—are the real passion? In this episode of I Dig Your Story, Ellen Wells talks with David Bache of Garden Industries in Loxahatchee, Florida, about finding your path in horticulture, growing what others won’t, and creating a nursery experience that inspires. David shares how trying different roles—from landscape design to floral importing—ultimately led him back to what he was meant to do. Today at Garden Industries, he grows unique and heirloom plants, breeds new varieties, and believes every customer visit should feel like an experience—not just a transaction. Ellen and David also dig into how the nursery industry has evolved, why social media matters more than ever, and what continues to inspire him after decades in the business.   In this episode, you’ll hear: * Why trying different jobs can lead you to the right one * How growing uncommon plants sets a business apart * How plant trends rise, fall—and come back around again * Why knowing your plants is still the most important skill * What continues to inspire a lifelong plant person   Connect with David & Garden Industries: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GardenIndustries Instagram: www.instagram.com/mr_plant_man/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Mr_Plant_Man-b5w [https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https:/www.youtube.com/_@Mr_Plant_Man-b5w___.YXAzOmJhbGxob3J0OmE6bzo0YWYzZGEzZDRiZWMzODUwZDEzMzVkMWJiMGZjMmFiNjo3OjEyODI6NzczMDlmYjA3MDdkOGU4MGVhZjk5M2E1M2U0ZWEwYzZhMzcyZjYxZDJkNTI0OTRhMWNkOWU4YWVjNzA5MzQ2OTpoOlQ6Tg] Garden Industries Newsletter Sign-Up: https://mailchi.mp/2fc4ca0532a0/newsletter-signup [https://mailchi.mp/2fc4ca0532a0/newsletter-signup] Garden Industries Website: www.gardenind.com