177 - Becoming A Student of Your Garden - Jenny Simpson

In this episode of The Garden Question Podcast, host Craig McManus converses with Jenny Simpson, co-owner of Creekside Nursery in North Carolina.They delve into the concept of becoming a diligent student of your garden by understanding its unique conditions and adapting to the southeastern U.S. climate.Jenny offers expertise on soil management, especially with red clay, and choosing suitable plants.Topics include dealing with full sun gardens, the importance of knowing plant mature sizes, and tips for growing specific varieties like camellias and hens and chicks.The discussion extends to the challenges faced by new gardeners in the area, the integral role of her family in their nursery business, and the significant impact of social media on their success.Listeners are encouraged to engage in continuous learning, enjoy the creative aspects of gardening, and adapt their practices for a beautiful year-round garden.Jenny Simpson meets people on their gardening journey and helps them grow, bloom, and thrive both in their garden and life!In this episode we talk about how being a student of your garden puts you on a track to success.Jenny & Jerry Simpson are growers and retailer of specialized plants that thrive in the often-challenging climate of the southeastern United States.Their Creekside Nursery, Inc. is an all-hands-on deck family operation located in the serene countryside outside Dallas, NC.As a Proven Winners' Destination Garden Center, they offer the region’s largest selection of Proven Winners' plants. Jenny creates and publishes 5 very informative garden videos a week. You will want to follow Jenny’s family adventures along with 75,000+ followers @GardeningwithCreekside on YouTube.Time Line00:00 Welcome to The Garden Question Podcast00:41 Meet Jenny and Jerry Simpson01:59 Understanding Your Garden03:02 Challenges of Southern Gardening04:01 Soil and Planting Tips09:16 Exciting New Plant Varieties19:43 Dealing with Deer in Your Garden23:34 The Journey of Creekside Nursery26:36 Post-Pandemic Garden Center Boom27:13 Challenges of Attracting Customers to a Rural Nursery27:59 Embracing Social Media for Business Growth29:24 Family Involvement in the Nursery Business32:09 Engaging the Younger Generation in Gardening37:15 Tips for Successful Garden Design40:34 Debunking Garden Myths41:16 Personal Gardening Memories and Stories43:14 Influences and Lessons in Gardening49:32 Future Garden Plans and Connecting with the Community