We're growing more than just plants in HCS and Megan + Tim Fleischer's #BuckeyeLove story is a prime example of that. Join us as we take a walk down memory lane with Tim (Class of 2007) & Megan (Class of 2008) both graduates of our Horticulture program.
Today, in addition to being parents to two "smart, talented and compassionate girls, Amelia and Whitney" Megan's a Horticulturist at Inniswood Metro Gardens and Tim's the Assistant Horticulturist for the City of Dublin.
See what they had to share about their time as undergraduates at Ohio State, how they met and where they're at now...
What sparked y’alls interest in Horticulture?
Megan: Gardening at my childhood home really sparked my interest in the field; particularly weeding. Pulling weeds is very therapeutic and rewarding for me. I also worked in The Anderson’s Garden Center which further anchored my love for plants, gardening and design.
Tim: Harvesting and enjoying the fruits and vegetables from my father’s gardens as a child really sparked my interest in the field. My dad was the City Forester for my hometown, so horticulture was always woven through our home. In high school I took a lot of science and art classes; Ecology Honors solidified my love for plants as it incorporated horticulture, entomology and photography.
how'd y'all meet?
We met in LAFF (Landscape and Floriculture Forum) the student organization affiliated with horticulture. Megan took courses focused on landscape design and art, while Tim focused more on plant biology, identification and ecology. Because of our divergent paths we did not have many classes together.
Any favorite memories from your time on campus together?
As mentioned above we met in LAFF and two core memories remain a fixture in our minds. LAFF sold plants as a fundraiser at the annual Chadwick Spring plant sale. We signed up to work a shift together at the sale and it was really fun browsing and talking plants with one another.
The other was our LAFF trip to Chicago. The group took a long weekend to tour gardens in and around Chicago, which is the mecca of horticulture in the Midwest. The trip was in the fall so there was a Buckeye football game that Saturday night. Tim was the social coordinator for the group that evening, finding an Ohio State bar in Wrigleyville and organizing all the train rides to and from our suburban Chicago hotel to downtown. Megan really loved the idea of a guy who took initiative and had a love for horticulture.
Were any Buckeye traditions incorporated into the proposal or ceremony?
We got engaged on The Ohio State University seal at the east end of the oval. After Megan said “yes,” we walked the long path toward the main library as Megan called her family and close friends to share the news. We married in the summer of 2011. At the reception we of course had the DJ play Hang on Sloopy.
What does a typical day in your lives look like?
Once we get home from our work day immersed in public horticulture, our life is very centered around our children. We have two smart, talented and compassionate girls, Amelia and Whitney. Amelia loves school, soccer and crafting. Whitney loves baby dolls, snacks and emulating her big sister.
Could y'all tell us a bit about your home garden?
Our home gardens are constantly evolving. With both of us being in the industry we find ourselves acquiring neat plants all the time. We provide checks and balances for one another when designing and editing our gardens.
Megan’s current favs in our home gardens – Rudbeckia maxima, Blue Paradise Phlox, Everillo Carex. Tim’s current favs in our home gardens – Honey oakleaf Hydrangea, Little Redhead Spigelia and a lovely pink tree Peony.
Do you have any advice for prospective students considering a career in horticulture?
Weeding and watering are two big components in gardening. Plants are cool, but if you can’t handle the monotony and realize the importance of weeding and watering then horticulture is not the right field for you.
Also, consider whether you like working alone or with others. In public horticulture we work closely with our horticulture teams and interact with garden guests. If you prefer working alone or in smaller groups, you may find a better fit at a growing facility or in research.
Closing thoughts?
Tim and friend/co-worker Matt have a fun, horticulture-centric podcast called The Shrubby Buddies Podcast. Megan is our biggest fan, most supportive critic and chief advisor. The podcast is available on all major platforms including Amazon, Spotify and Apple.
Today, we have a wide variety of academic paths for you to choose from to help you grow your career…