In this conversation, Heather Jerrard interviews Elissa Asterino, a recent graduate from the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, who shares her journey into horticulture, her experiences in Australia, and her upcoming design for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. Elissa discusses the importance of networking, mentorship, and personal connections in her work, as well as the challenges of maintaining a work-life balance in the horticulture industry. She also shares her favorite plants, tools, and insights from her favorite gardening book, emphasizing the significance of understanding clients' needs in garden design.

Ontario based garden designer Elissa Astorino becomes the first ever Canadian landscape designer to be invited and accepted to design a garden for Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2024, the worlds second largest flower show.

Elissa studied Ornamental Horticulture at the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. During her time as a student, Elissa designed annual and perennial displays for The Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and one of North Americas most distinguished rose gardens.

Elissa has worked with several award-winning landscape companies in Australia and is a member of the Australian Institute of Horticulture, where she serves on the Future Voices Council.

Season 1 & 2 is proudly sponsored by EXT.tech!

EXT helps you grow revolutionize your landscaping business.

The are improving the way you manage projects and streamlines your landscaping, snow removal and construction operations. For additional savings when purchasing the software - use code HOPS10 at checkout or just tell then Heather sent ya! #Horticulture #Melbourne #Gardening #Design #Mentorship #WorkLifeBalance #Plants #Networking #FlowerShow #PersonalGrowth #IntroductionAndBackground #JourneyIntoHorticulture #NetworkingAndMentorship #DesigningForMIFGS #PersonalConnections #ThemesInDesign #WorkLifeBalanceInHorticulture #FavoritePlantsAndTools #ClientUnderstanding #BookRecommendations #FutureAspirations

In this engaging conversation, Heather Jerrard speaks with Arlene and Mark from Bufco, the Backyard Urban Farm Company in Toronto. They discuss their unique mission to promote edible gardening and reconnect people with nature. The conversation explores their journey from the film industry to urban gardening, the importance of community engagement, and the growth of their business. They also touch on the significance of mentorship, diversity in gardening, and the deeper connections we can foster with nature through language and acceptance.

Marc (he/him)/ VP Operations, Installations Marc is a meticulous project manager with a focus on customer service excellence and is driven by his desire to deliver product and services that meet or surpass the highest expectations. Marc is an avid outdoors enthusiast, loves wilderness camping, canoeing, and fishing. He also has a deep connection with music, spending his spare time playing guitar and piano. “Nature is medicine for the spirit. Music is medicine for the soul.”

Arlene (she/her)/ CEO; VP Gardening Division; Garden Designer Arlene is an avid gardener and life-long learner who loves to share her knowledge. She is an Organic Master Gardener, an Accredited Organic Land Care Practitioner with SOUL (Society for Organic Urban Landcare), and has a Diploma in Organic Land Care from Gaia College. Arlene is also an Emmy award winning television director and writer. (Photograph: Brianna-Roye) Takeaways

Buffco specializes in creating edible gardens for urban spaces.

Gardening fosters a deep connection with nature and community.

Failures in gardening are opportunities for learning and growth.

Community engagement is essential for successful urban gardening.

The transition from film to gardening was driven by a desire for meaningful work.

Mentorship plays a crucial role in the gardening community.

Diversity in gardening leads to resilience and sustainability.

Language shapes our relationship with nature and the environment.

Personal reflections on gardening reveal insights about life and acceptance.

Creating biodiverse environments contributes positively to the ecosystem.

Seasons 1 and 2 are proudly sponsored by EXT.tech! EXT helps you grow and revolutionize your landscaping business.

They are revolutionizing the way you manage projects and streamlines your landscaping, snow removal and construction operations. For additional savings, use the code HOPS10 at checkout - or just tell them that Heather sent ya!

Keywords

#Bufco

#urbangardening

#ediblegardens

#communityengagement

#gardeningeducation

#Toronto

#pollinatorgardens

#sustainablepractices

#mentorship

#diversity

In this conversation, Bob Reeves from Root Rescue discusses the innovative use of mycorrhizal fungi in enhancing plant growth and resilience. He shares his journey of creating Root Rescue, the challenges faced in starting a business, and the importance of effective communication with customers. Bob emphasizes the significance of warranties in the gardening industry and how Root Rescue aids in urban planting efforts. He also touches on his personal interests in music and the evolution of landscape design software, while highlighting the necessity of networking and navigating regulatory challenges in the industry. #Root Rescue

#MycorrhizalFungi

#BusinessChallenges

#LandscapeDesign

#Communication

#CustomerAssurance

#UrbanPlanting

#Networking

#RegulatoryChallenges

#Agriculture

Seasons 1 & 2 are proudly sponsored by EXT.tech

EXT helps you grow and revolutionize your landscaping business. They are revolutionizing the way you manage projects and streamlines your landscaping, snow removal and construction operations.

For additional savings, use the code HOPS10 at checkout - or just tell them that Heather sent ya.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Michael Albanese from AVESI Stormwater & Landscape Solutions in Hamilton, Ontario.

We talk about his journey from studying Geography and working as a Rain Home Guide to becoming an expert in the area of Stormwater Management and "Rain Ready" gardens, Fusion Landscaping and being an FLP (Fusion Landscape Professional), Native Plants, Heather's basement that recently flooded and of course - beer!

BEER

Refined Fool's "Hat Day is Cancelled Hazy IPA"

BOOKS

any books by Ed Mylett

Purple Cow by Seth Godin

his own book: The Modern Rain Garden, Michael Albanese

Tune in next week for our last episode of Season 1 where I'm speaking with the man who inspired me to start this crazy thing called podcasting in January, 2024. I will forever be grateful to Daniel Cornacchia from Dancor Landscapes in Markham, Ontario for pushing me to step outside my comfort zone and start a podcast. Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH

Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09

In this episode, I've brought David Milne from Quercus Gardens back on the show to take a look back on the year.

His episode (#2 in Season 1) was the most watched and streamed episode of Season 1 and I wanted to celebrate him and his year by bringing him back on to chat further.

In this episode, we talk about the challenges of having to let go staff, his "life before wife", the importance of mentorship and having a supportive network, and so much more!

BEER

Beau's Juiced AF Hazy IPA

Kraken Rum

BOOKS

Siddartha by Herman Hesse

Crazy About Gardening by Des Kennedy

Tune in next week when I'm speaking with Michael Albanese from AVESI Stormwater & Landscape Solutions in Hamilton, Ontario.

Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH

Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I'm talking with Will Heeman from one of my personal favourite places - Heeman's Greenhouse in London, Ontario.

We're talking about how his grandparents came to Canada and started the business in 1963, the importance of creating and supporting community, their famous strawberries, various workshops and activities they offer throughout the year, their various meads and ciders, and cultivating a connection between people and gardening from an early age.

BEERS etc.:

• Blueberry Hard Apple Cider
• Cherry Grove Mead
• (and my personal favourite) Black Stripe Bochet Mead

PIECE OF ADVICE:

Know your 'WHY' and hold on to it; never forget it.

Special thanks to Greg Sagar from Matchbox Productions Canada for filming and recording this episode on location at Heemans.

Tune in next week when I'm speaking with David Milne from Quercus Gardens in Toronto, Ontario.

Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH

Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I'm talking with Ashley (aka "Ash") Rowe from the New Leaf Collective. A Marketing firm in London, Ontario. We're talking about how she started her business after finding herself unemployed through COVID, being nominated (and WINNING!) as a "Top 20 Under 20", providing a safe and supportive work environment for her staff, being a "stepping stone" employer, opening her own studio, and of course - BEER!

BEERS etc.:

• Hazy Roy: A Hazy Boy NEIP by the Collective Arts in Sarnia, Ontario
• Xponent Energy Drink made in London, Ontario

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:

Persuasion & All In - both by Arlene Dickinson

Tune in next week when I'm speaking with Will Heeman from Heeman's Greenhouse in London, Ontario. Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH

Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠