00:00 Introduction to the Garden Question Podcast00:25 Meet Dr. Todd Beasley00:33 The Vision for the Botanic Garden00:42 Community Engagement and Environmental Stewardship00:53 Todd Beasley's Career and Contributions02:49 The Role and Importance of Botanical Gardens05:42 Engaging the Community and Generating Revenue08:29 The History of the Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern11:25 Design and Plant Selection in the Garden15:00 Trends and Future Directions in Gardening21:32 The Importance of Children's Gardens29:35 The Multifaceted Role of a Garden Director37:12 Designing in the Landscape: A Creative Expression37:50 Pollinator Garden: Collaborative Design Approach38:28 Winter Landscape Tactics: Do's and Don'ts41:30 The Importance of Proper Landscaping Practices48:57 Early Garden Memories and Influences51:53 Funny Garden Stories and Myths58:31 Diversity in Horticulture: Trends and Changes01:04:07 Future Plans for the Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern01:11:51 Supporting Your Local Botanic GardensWelcome to The Garden Question, where we explore the art and science of designing, building, and growing a smarter garden that works! Today’s episode promises to inspire gardeners of every level as we dive into a fascinating story of passion, leadership, and community engagement.Our guest is Dr. Todd Beasley, the director of the Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University (https://ww2.georgiasouthern.edu/academics/garden/). Todd shares his vision for the garden, including its mission, historical roots, and exciting plans for a new environmentally controlled facility. He dives into the challenges of engaging the community, the critical role of plant curation, and his commitment to fostering environmental stewardship.With over 25 years of experience in horticulture and education, Todd has built an impressive career connecting people to plants. From leading nationally recognized botanical gardens to consulting on major projects like the Orchid Conservatory at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and renovations at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Todd’s expertise has made a significant impact wherever he’s gone.As an educator, Todd has nurtured young minds in South Carolina, taught environmental science and horticulture, and even served as a clinical professor at the University of South Carolina’s College of Education. His work with the SEED program helped bring national recognition to student gardening, including hosting prestigious symposiums for the American Horticultural Society.But Todd’s passion doesn’t stop there. He’s also the founder of an eco-friendly garden design firm and a traveling exhibition company exploring the fascinating relationship between plants and culture.Whether you're a novice gardener or an experienced pro,