175 - Gardening Adventures, Myths, Dreams, and Inspiration - Troy B Marden

In this episode of The Garden Question podcast, host Craig McManus interviews accomplished garden designer Troy B Marden. Troy shares his incredible journey in horticulture that began at the age of 14 and includes notable experiences at public gardens such as Calloway Gardens and Longwood Gardens. Now based in Nashville, Troy discusses his successful career in garden and floral design, his role on the hit gardening show Volunteer Gardener, and his current ventures in leading garden tours worldwide. Throughout the episode, they cover garden myths, Troy's favorite gardening spots, and the importance of soil management. They also explore the dynamics of garden design, the joy of successful gardening, and invite listeners to find inspiration in their own garden experiences.00:00 Introduction to The Garden Question Podcast00:42 Meet Troy B Marden: A Journey in Horticulture02:44 Troy's Dream Garden in Northern Italy05:13 Designing and Building Gardens: Client Relationships09:46 Transition to Leading Garden Tours13:19 Exploring International and Domestic Gardens25:23 Volunteer Gardener TV Show: A Tennessee Staple31:17 Introduction to Jason and His Inspirational Gardening32:46 Evolution of Trial Gardens34:36 Public Gardens in Tennessee35:57 Undiscovered Gardens in the United States38:44 The Importance of Soil Management39:58 Personal Gardening Philosophy43:58 Debunking Gardening Myths44:57 Native vs. Non-Native Plants Debate47:25 Early Gardening Memories49:12 Pursuing a Career in Horticulture52:39 Valuable Gardening Mistakes55:47 Current Plant Obsessions56:38 Weeds and Garden Challenges58:22 Continuous Learning in Gardening59:27 Connecting with Troy B Marden59:45 Conclusion and Podcast Outro