About Theresa Boggs

I first decided to take a horticulture program while working at a ski hill in Banff and deciding I needed to do something with my life. With the help of a relative we narrowed down that I needed to do something outside and where one day I could be my own boss. She mentioned Landscaping and it was like a light bulb went on in my brain. The only problem was I didn’t know the difference between a petunia and a pine tree. I didn’t grow up gardening other than mowing the lawn to get my weekly allowance. I decided I needed to take a course or two before I could call myself a landscaper. But I did go out right away and trade my little car in for a pick up. I did know that most landscapers had trucks. I figured that since I didn’t know what I was getting into I should take a short program just in case I didn’t like it. I applied to take the Applied Landscape Horticultural Technician Certificate program at Capilano Collage in North Vancouver. Over 300 people applied to that program that year and after an interview process I was chosen to be one of the 30 accepted. It was an 8 month intensive program that covered both landscaping and production growing. I instantly loved it but had lots of work to do as the course had experience landscapers in it as well as a few of us ‘green’ beginners. We did our practicums with the Park and Tilford Display gardens as well as the West Vancouver Parks Dept. throughout the year.

After completing the program and getting my certificate I got a job at a 25 acre Perennial growing operation in Abbotsford. I started out as a junior sale associate doing order entry. I learned so much about how the wholesale growing industry worked and a ton about Perennials. After the first year I moved into the position of production co coordinator. I was the assistant to the head grower supervising up to 100 staff in the peak planting season. During this time I did the 4 yr Production Horticulture Apprenticeship through Kwantlen Collage in Langley as well. It was an incredible learning environment and I started doing some public speaking on the subject of perennials to various garden clubs and even taught a few perennial courses at The Van Dusen Botanical Gardens.

After 5 yrs in the Fraser Valley I finally kissed enough frogs to find my prince and he was heading to Victoria to go to work for the Government. He asked me to go with him and I couldn’t pass up the chance to ride off into the sunset. Also, I had been looking for an opportunity to get back to the Island since I grew up in Nanaimo. Having worked at a wholesale grower that sold to Garden Centers I had some good contacts in the industry and made a call to a friend who happened to work as the Assistant Manager at Gardenworks on Blenkinsop at the time. I asked her about other growers on the island since I came from a production background. Unfortunately it was October and everyone was gearing down for the slow season. My timing being impeccable Gardenworks on Blenki was looking for someone to head up their Perennial dept. It was a huge pay cut for me but I took the job. Little did I know at that time how much I would learn about the landscape industry in Victoria and its particular challenges? We’d heard about deer problems on the mainland but nothing compared to the reality of the lower Vancouver Island Deer’s appetite for destruction.

After three years at the Blenki location I moved out to the Colwood location of Gardenworks which was convenient for me at we’d just bought a home on the West shore. It was at the Colwood location I met Anne Taylor. Part time Gardenworks employee, part – full time landscape designer/worker.

After 2 yrs at Colwood I was given the opportunity to build, set up and run the Garden Center of a new Big Box store on the West shore. I was very excited about the opportunity to run the show. But 2 yrs in I realized when dealing with big box, Head office runs the show and head office didn’t understand the particular needs of the Vancouver Island gardener. Lucky for me when I took the job Anne decided she wanted to come along to enjoy the adventure. It was one December evening after we’d moved 250-300 Christmas trees that I asked Anne, ‘If money wasn’t the object and you could do what you wanted what would it be?’ She said ‘I would do design and gardening but can’t imagine doing it on my own.’ Again a light bulb went on in my brain and I asked her if she’d do it with a partner. We looked at each other and I could tell we were thinking the same thing. The rest is Good to Grow history!

Applied Landscape Horticulture Certificate – Capilano College
Journeyman Production Horticultural Technician – Kwantlen College
CCHT (Canadian Certified Horticultural Technician) Retail Garden Center
FARSHA Certified Bobcat & Forklift Operator