In this episode of the GH Squad podcast, Seth and Mason detail their trip to five different Illinois greenhouses and garden centers earlier in the week. No, Mason did NOT buy any ladybeetles on the trip, but he did order a bunch of bugs online … The Squad discusses how every store is unique and dives into the dynamics of retail greenhouses during peak season. Expect brilliant takes on industry trends, community engagement and lunch stops. They also spin the Plant Wheel of Excitement and land on Nicotiana (… which is not very exciting but they have some thoughts on this old-school annual.) There are a lot of hot takes this week so be sure to listen all the way to the end. Follow The Squad on Instagram: @GHSquadPod00:00 - Introduction and podcast overview02:00 - The significance of native plant displays and industry commitment07:00 - The benefits and challenges of selling ladybugs and beneficial insects12:00 - Insights from their Illinois garden center tour and different retail formats24:00 - Inventory management during peak season and consumer buying patterns36:00 - Community outreach, local partnerships and innovative marketing ideas45:00 - Travel stories, road trip banter and behind-the-scenes humor58:00 - Weather impacts and seasonal challenges faced by the industry68:00 - Summarizing industry observations, closing thoughts and upcoming plans

The Squad is back after a one-week hiatus to recap last week’s Darwin Perennials Day and share what they’re obsessed with in their own gardens this year. Then the discussion turns to overrated plants and concepts before they spin the wheel of plant excitement and land on Astilbe. Listen all the way to the end for some solid hot takes.

Follow the Squad on Instagram: @GHSquadPod

In episode 26, the Squad discusses how boredom can be a catalyst for creativity, the influence of childhood interests on adult careers and the importance of pursuing passions over expectations. The topic of the week is what careers Seth, Mason and Bill would have if they never decided to get into horticulture. Join the Squad for the usually array of funny stories, brilliant advice and random thoughts that challenge conventional thinking about what drives success and fulfillment. Plus … thoughts on Cosmos, handheld water games, high school theater, public speaking and Bill’s crazy 24 hours.00:00 - The chaos of a busy family weekend and intro00:50 - Childhood summers of parties, farm life, and the freedom of youth02:00 - The shift from carefree summers to organized activities and careers03:07 - The significance of baseball, grad parties, and social adventures in youth04:30 - How boredom and boredom threshold differ across generations05:22 - The importance of intentional boredom to boost curiosity and creativity06:37 - Childhood games like Yahtzee and their nostalgic value07:53 - The impact of screens and technology on modern boredom and patience09:15 - Classic street games and the decline of traditional playgrounds10:09 - Speculative talk on school activities like Hangman and their educational value11:11 - The science behind boredom and mental health benefits12:18 - How childhood hobbies like propagating plants influence adult passions13:00 - Exploring alternative career interests from high school years14:00 - The high pressure of academic success and career projections15:09 - Consideration of careers in engineering, medicine, law, and horticulture16:49 - Reflection on college applications, majors, and the influence of guidance counselors18:00 - The value of exploring careers like pharma, agriculture, and science19:23 - The evolving opportunities for teenagers to choose meaningful paths20:12 - Personal stories about switching majors, career reconsiderations, and the role of passion21:55 - The importance of authenticity in choosing a career and hobbies22:35 - The challenges and rewards of teaching young children vs. teenagers23:27 - The role of extracurriculars like theater and choir in personal development24:44 - The advantages of rehearsing and preparing for presentations and performances28:22 - Public speaking, humor, and the art of engaging an audience29:50 - The craft of storytelling and delivery in professional and personal communication31:15 - Differences in rehearsal styles and authenticity in presentations33:00 - The influence of participating in theater on confidence and social skills35:52 - Sharing musical talents and the importance of pursuing diverse interests37:37 - The vibrant culture of a cappella groups at Cornell and college life39:13 - The adventures of plant variety hunting and the nostalgia for Cosmos41:47 - The historical presence of Cosmos in gardening and wildflower mixes43:00 - Market availability, growth habits, and seed varieties of Cosmos45:04 - Practical tips for planting Cosmos and timing for optimal growth46:30 - Final plant shout-out: Cosmos as a symbol of beauty and resilience47:17 - Upcoming trip and reflections on community and service48:00 - Wrapping up with listener engagement, social media shout-outs, and upcoming topics

In this episode, the Squad discusses unexpected truths they encountered upon entering the horticulture industry and imagine ways to outfox security if trapped in a Costco overnight. They also determine who would be most likely to survive for a week in a botanic garden by foraging and introduce a fun new segment called the "Plant Wheel of Excitement." Then they discuss Seth’s new hairstyle and love of woodies.NICH Webinar Series—Where Plants Come From (Video Playlist): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1yNe3Yb9E36-oDXE5cUhM5At4TS3-Vtl&si=IGw7bsJds8RDx8UW00:00 - Welcome and episode overview02:07 - The industry’s hidden global supply chains and sourcing insights05:29 - Challenges and surprises: what industry newcomers don’t expect10:02 - The logistics and operational complexity of moving perishable plants13:57 - Surviving in a botanic garden for five days: food and shelter strategies17:07 - Exploring the most consumed meats globally and cultural insights19:59 - Industry revelations: the vast global reach and travel involved in horticulture23:00 - The importance of inter-company relationships and industry camaraderie27:10 - The role of education and outreach, including webinars on where plants come from33:00 - Unpacking the hidden complexity behind plant production processes36:49 - The significance of plant identification skills and industry segmentation44:46 - Growing cucumbers: tips, varieties, trellising, and weed management49:14 - Fun with plant guessing: cucumber plant discussion and rapidfire plant knowledge54:37 - Lighthearted discussion about cats, K-pop, and style trends55:23 - Celebrating milestones: personal shout outs and reflections on graduation57:43 - Wrap-up, feedback, and ways to connect with the show

This episode is all about the rivalry between Ohio and Michigan. But instead of football, Mason and Bill represent their respective states by presenting contributions to horticulture— and sports, culture, industry, number of Amish and covered bridges. They analyze data, crunch numbers, share fun facts and debate which state truly deserves the Midwestern Horticultural Championship Belt.

What do you think? Comment and let us know!

Cleveland's amazing sports weekend—with the Cavaliers advancing to the Eastern Conference NBA championship AND the Guardians winning the coveted Ohio Cup. Then the four discuss the magic of the Philadelphia Flower Show and why other flower shows just don’t compare (with a few exceptions). The group then explores ways to reinvigorate flower shows and possibly put a more local and commercial spin on them.

Plus … Jen’s career as an investigative journalist (getting the inside scoop on a story late-night at Denny’s), old horticultural videos (see the link below), pollinators, Guns ‘N Roses and more!

MUST SEE TV! Plants—More Than Just Pretty Videos (scroll ALL THE WAY down the page!): https://americainbloom.org/resources/videos/

(00:02) - Episode intro and Cleveland pride

(00:10) - Cleveland Cavaliers' playoff success and Guardians Ohio Cup victory

(02:01) - Guest introduction: Jen Polanz, horticulturist and industry expert

(07:28) - Jen’s horticultural journey from childhood to professional

(16:26) - Walk-up song: Guns N' Roses’ "Sweet Child of Mine"

(18:17) - The emotional and visual experience of the Philadelphia Flower Show

(22:27) - The "Cirque du Soleil" of plants and artistic display aspirations

(26:33) - Nature of exhibitor involvement at major flower shows

(31:00) - Most impressive displays, Shakespeare-inspired installations, and floral fashion

(36:02) - Impact of regional shows on local garden centers and influence on consumer decisions

(43:16) - Timing and scope of Chicago, Northwest, and Philadelphia shows

(50:02) - Practical considerations: show dates, location changes, and economic factors

(54:38) – Pettitis’ dominance in Cleveland market and industry trends

(55:53) - Upcoming PlantCon event details and trendsetting industry programs

(72:29) - Pollinator Partnership’s educational programs and retail applications

(77:04) - Educational videos emphasizing plant benefits: air purification, health, and crime reduction

(78:37) - Wrap-up, guest appreciation, and call for audience engagement

In this episode, Mason, Seth and Bill share their deepest darkest horticultural infatuations—like plug trays, trains, animal pests and “pieces.” They also discuss their love of multi-generational businesses, the forgiving nature of plants and the overall “cool factor” of the industry.

Plus, a heartfelt Mother's Day message packed with industry humor, Road House, muskrats and more. #hearmeoutcake

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Mother’s Day weekend & upcoming industry events

02:03 - Creative gift ideas for moms—plants and hanging baskets

03:19 - Terminology: 'garden center,' 'nursery,' regional differences

04:36 - The story behind a Montana garden center and industry naming conventions

06:24 - Field trip to Alsip Nursery & the importance of vendor relationships

07:56 - The role of industry themes and seasonal competitions in store culture

08:34 - The diversity of offerings in a well-rounded garden center (perennials, shrubs, pets)

09:38 - An anecdote about a customer with fertilizer in her car1

0:33 - Building vendor relationships and leveraging product support

16:24 - The power of plug trays in propagation—size, numbers, and awe

17:41 - Cost considerations in plant propagation and grower decisions19:37 - Wildlife encounters—mice, snakes, and unexpected yard visitors

21:32 - The industry’s wildlife problem: armadillos, muskrats, and possums

23:50 - Trains, hobbies, and the surprising coalescence with green industry businesses

27:44 - Trains on the farm and the fun of model trains in garden centers

31:30 - The value of family legacy in horticulture—stories from three generations

34:34 - Industry heritage projects—photos, stories, and family history

37:22 - Pride in family-owned businesses and their cultural significance

40:01 - The interconnectedness of horticulture, landscaping, retail, and beyond43:36 - The fun of plant passion—public perception and industry admiration

45:20 - Plants in airports, on planes, and the joy of sharing horticulture everywhere

48:01 - Industry camaraderie and logistical adventures—plant cargo and travel mishaps

52:16 - Celebrating Mother’s Day properly—wife, mom, kids, and traditions

55:19 - The cost of greeting cards versus plants—lessons learned and industry humor

56:37 - Wrap-up thoughts—community, diversity, and the industry’s charm

57:48 - Final thanks and closing remarks—connect with us & share your Mother’s Day stories

Mason, Seth, and Bill are back together once again as a trio for this episode! They chat about a few different topics this time around—from engaging high school students to get them interested in horticulture as a potential career to potentially brilliant (or crazy) ideas for weatherproofing garden centers. They also discuss King Charles visiting an urban farm while he was in the US and whether chicken wings should be slathered in ranch dressing or not.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and episode overview01:08 - The value of industry involvement with high schools and emerging careers06:24 - Insights from a recent high school tour at Ball Seed and student engagement09:53 - Resources available for high school horticulture education and outreach12:08 - The success stories of industry alumni like Lindsay from Canaan15:09 - Community building through company-sponsored tours and outreach initiatives18:31 - The importance of early planning for industry engagement events19:01 - Creative ideas for weatherproofing garden centers, including food trucks and giveaways28:48 - Strategies for handling inclement weather and maintaining customer interest33:48 - The value of branded experiences during rainy days in retail settings36:39 - Tips on operating greenhouses for better weather resilience41:49 - Industry recognition, hot takes, and memorable moments, including King Charles’ visit to Harlem Grown44:40 - The great chicken wing sauce debate—ranch versus blue cheese and creative dipping options50:25 - Wrap-up, upcoming travel plans, and community call-to-actionResources & Links:KidsGardening.org Resources for High Schools: https://kidsgardening.org/resource-create-and-sustain-a-program/ Seed Your Future: https://www.seedyourfuture.org/ Harlem Grown: https://harlemgrown.org/