DIGG Gardens - Part 1: Green Thumbs, Old Saws, & Licorice

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The verdant world of Vero Beach's plant community comes alive as Spencer Porteous, owner of DIGG Gardens, welcomes us into his memorabilia-filled headquarters. Against a backdrop of family heirlooms, including his grandfather's 1940s two-man saw and a Scottish rocking chair from the 1700s, Spencer reveals the roots of his botanical journey.
From childhood memories of tart rhubarb in his great-grandmother's Adirondack garden to pushing shopping carts at Home Depot before becoming their garden manager, Spencer's path to plant expertise was paved with mentorship and hands-on learning. "Ninety-five percent of my plant knowledge is from somebody telling me," he shares, "because every plant has a story."
The conversation blooms with local history as Spencer details DIGG Gardens' partnership with the City of Vero Beach to maintain Victory Boulevard's living memorial. After World War II, the Garden Club planted laurel oaks along the street to honor fallen soldiers. Now, as these shorter-lived trees age out, Spencer's team systematically replaces them with magnificent live oaks that will stand for centuries—continuing a tradition of remembrance that makes Vero Beach special.
We discover how the COVID pandemic unexpectedly nurtured DIGG Gardens' retail operation when Spencer's wife, a former teacher, began selling houseplants on Etsy just as homebound Americans developed a newfound obsession with indoor greenery. This success, combined with a palm tree honor system, provided the seedling capital that grew into their current store. The name itself—an acronym for Design, Install, Garden, and Gifts—reflects Spencer's comprehensive vision for bringing plants into people's lives.
As our conversation draws to a close, Spencer shares hard-earned wisdom about entrepreneurship, acknowledging the lack of external validation that comes with business ownership. His philosophy of hiring for kindness first and teaching plant knowledge second has allowed him to build a thriving team. "We're kind of like licorice," he muses about his business approach. "Not everybody likes licorice, but the people that really do...really like it." Click that review button to share your thoughts on this flourishing conversation!

Presented by Killer Bee Marketing
Helping local businesses in Vero Beach connect with their neighbors.

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Chapters

1. Meet Spencer Porteous of DIGG Gardens (00:00:00)

2. Grandfather’s Saw & Scottish Rocking Chair (00:01:12)

3. Plant Obsession & Childhood Roots (00:03:48)

4. Victory Boulevard's Living Memorial Trees (00:06:11)

5. A Plant Massacre (00:07:53)

6. Is Your Wife Obsessed With Plants? (00:09:10)

7. The DIGG Gardens' Retail Story (00:10:33)

8. Did You Imagine DIGG Would Grow Into... (00:12:22)

9. Finding Your People as a Business Owner (00:13:19)

10. What Have You Learned About Yourself? (00:13:36)