Kate Santos has built a career that crosses some of horticulture’s most distinct boundaries: from applied research and greenhouse production to breeding and global operations—and now public horticulture at Longwood Gardens.
As Associate Vice President of Science at Longwood, Kate brings that commercial and scientific experience to a place where horticulture is about growing beautiful plants—and so much more. Her work connects production, conservation horticulture, biodiversity, climate resiliency, sustainability, research—and most importantly she’s helping to connect these to the 1.7 million people who visit Longwood Gardens because they simply love plants and nature.
In this conversation, Kate talks about feeling disconnected from plants despite moving upward in her career, and eventually taking a year away to ask the hard questions and figure out what truly mattered to her. She also explains how Longwood is using horticulture as a tool for conservation and stewardship, and what it means to help carry the responsibility of a garden of such distinction.
Listen for:
How Kate bridged the gap between commercial and public horticulture—and why her perspective on the transition matters.
The extraordinary amount of work behind Longwood’s 1,000-bloom chrysanthemum—and why it takes 18 months to create.
Kate’s must-see list for a short visit to Longwood, including the meadow, conservatories, fountains, and ornamental kitchen garden.
Connect with Kate:Website: www.longwoodgardens.orgEmail: ksantos@longwoodgardens.org
Connect with Our Show Sponsors:
Seed Your Future: www.seedyourfuture.org
National Garden Bureau: www.ngb.org
29 Sept 2026
Fifth Tuesdays #3
In this quarterly bonus I Dig Your Story sub-pod we call Fifth Tuesdays, host Ellen Wells does a follow-up with a former guest, Roshan Patel.
When we first talked, Roshan was getting his hands dirty at Mack Park Farm in Salem, Massachusetts, and discovering just how much community can grow around a garden. Now, several months later, he has plenty to report.
Roshan talks about a busy growing season, creating garden videos, and the expanding impact of Mack Park Farm—including nearly 5,000 pounds of donated food and a growing volunteer base. He also fills us in on a new community garden at the Plummer House and the new Friends of Mack Park Farm, a nonprofit created to help secure the farm’s future.
And, of course, Ellen has to ask: Has Roshan finally made peace with kale? Plus, a peek at fatherhood and Roshan’s hopes for introducing baby Blake to the garden.
Resources:
Roshan Patel: Growing Community Through Urban Agriculture - podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roshan-patel-growing-community-through-urban-agriculture/id1856208214?i=1000779882808
Roshan’s Instagram: - https://www.instagram.com/drizzleranch/
22 Sept 2026
Jonathan Bardzik: Finding Joy Through Plants, Food & Connection
Jonathan Bardzik has built a life around curiosity, creativity, and bringing people together. From growing up in his family’s Massachusetts garden center to working in horticulture, cooking for others, writing books, and creating retreats, his path has rarely been linear—and that’s exactly the point.
In this conversation, Jonathan shares how his relationship with plants began, why following curiosity has shaped so many of his choices, and how cooking became a way to create connection and joy. We also talk about his experience spending more than nine months on solo retreats, what he learned from stepping away from everyday demands, and why he now creates that space for others.
Jonathan keeps close to his heart this advice: “Make connection a priority in your life. It is the greatest source of joy that you will have.”
Listen for:
How Jonathan’s childhood in a garden center—and his strong sense of self—influenced the life he ultimately created.
Why following curiosity has led him from horticulture into cooking, storytelling, writing, and television.
What Jonathan discovered during his extended periods of solo retreat—and the surprising value of unstructured time.
Why he believes “Connection is the greatest source of joy in our lives.”
Connect with Jonathan:Website: www.jonathanbardzik.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/jonathanbardzikYouTube: www.youtube.com/@JonathanBardzikJonathan’s All-America Selections recipes: https://all-americaselections.org/jonathan-bardzik-to-produce-videos-and-custom-recipes-with-aas-winners/
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