What if public gardens are much more than beautiful places to visit?

Jessica Turner-Skoff firmly believes—and convinces her listeners—that public gardens are where beauty, science, conservation, and human connection come together.

As Associate Director of Science Communications at Longwood Gardens, Jessica helps translate groundbreaking plant research into stories that inspire visitors, volunteers, and gardeners alike. But her own story begins on a hobby farm in rural Ohio, where farm chores, medicinal plants, and a lifelong sense of wonder shaped the path that eventually led her to one of the world's great gardens.

In this episode of I Dig Your Story, Jessica shares how her childhood fascination with nature evolved into a career that blends biology, communication, conservation, and storytelling. Along the way, we explore American ginseng, the hidden science happening inside public gardens, and why every one of us already has a relationship with plants—even if we don't realize it.

Whether you're a gardener, plant professional, science communicator, or simply someone who enjoys spending time outdoors, Jessica's perspective may forever change the way you experience a garden.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why every person has a relationship with plants

Jessica also shares one of the simplest challenges you'll gladly participate in:

Take 30 seconds to think about all the ways plants make your life better.

You may never look at the world quite the same way again.

Connect with Jessica:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicabturnerskoff/

• GrowerTalks article regarding Christmas poinsettias at Longwood: https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?srch=1&articleID=27630

Landscape designer, plantsman, author, and ecological steward Kelly D. Norris believes gardens aren't static works of art but are living communities. In this episode of I Dig Your Story, Kelly shares the remarkable path that led him from running a mail-order iris nursery as a teenager on his family's Iowa farm to becoming one of the country's leading voices in ecological landscape design.

Kelly explains why he prefers the word stewardship over maintenance, why curiosity has shaped every chapter of his career, and why the best compliment someone can give his work is to say it doesn't look designed at all.

Whether you're tending a backyard garden, managing a public landscape, or simply wondering how to create more meaningful connections with the natural world, this conversation will leave you looking at plants—and your own landscape—a little differently.

Learn more about Kelly and his work at:

https://kellydnorris.com

Fifth Tuesdays #2:

In this quarterly bonus I Dig Your Story sub-pod we call Fifth Tuesdays, host Ellen Wells is answering your questions!

In this episode, Ellen answers:

Ellen also shares the latest IDYS news:

Questions? [email protected]

Did you know there’s an IDYS Instagram page? Check it out at www.instagram.com/idigyourstory

What happens when an eight-year-old sticks a broken branch in the ground and discovers it can grow roots? Mind blown!

For Joe Lamp'l, that moment sparked a lifelong fascination with plants that eventually led him from a corporate career in finance to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in gardening media.

Known to millions as joe gardener, Joe joins Ellen Wells on I Dig Your Story to share the story behind his career. As they talk, he reveals how a childhood obsession with plant propagation evolved into television hosting, podcasting, online education, and environmental advocacy – with only a brief diversion in a suit-and-tie job.

Joe and host Ellen Wells discuss:

Their conversation goes beyond gardening to explore the nurturing of curiosity, persistence and entrepreneurial drive, and the power of following a passion.

Connect with Joe:

Web: www.joegardener.com

In Part 2 of my conversation with horticulture industry veteran Marvin Miller, we go beyond the fascinating intersections of horticulture, data, and business and discuss some of Marvin’s personal passions of travel and photography.

Contribute to Marvin's Tour De Farms Bike MS Ride at:

https://events.nationalmssociety.org/participants/Marvin-Miller-2025-2

What happens when a kid becomes fascinated by a tiny tomato growing in the garden—and then never stops being fascinated by nature?

In Part 1 of this special two-part conversation, Ellen Wells sits down with horticulture industry veteran Marvin Miller of Ball Horticultural Company to explore the roots of a career that would eventually influence everything from supermarket flower departments to consumer buying habits.

Marvin shares stories of growing up in Baltimore, learning from family gardeners and neighborhood mentors, reclaiming a property known as Harmony Acres, and discovering that horticulture could become more than a hobby. He also explains how his interest in both plants and economics led to groundbreaking consumer research that helped make mixed bouquets a supermarket floral staple.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why Marvin calls himself an "extreme gardener"

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:

Connect with Jennifer Brennan:

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:

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

I Am Horticulture Campaign - https://www.seedyourfuture.org/greenpro_under_40

Women in Horticulture LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/16299029/

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:

Most importantly, Michelle reminds listeners that every gardener deals with pests eventually — and that it doesn’t make you a bad plant parent.

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:

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 - www.suntoryflowers.com (trade site)

Home - Suntory Garden Club - www.suntorygardenclub.com (consumer site)

Facebook - www.facebook.com/SuntoryFlowers

Instagram - www.instagram.com/suntoryflowers.na/

Can't Miss Video!

Delilah unveils a special Rolling Stones "time capsule":

https://youtu.be/JyR-G1hB7Uw