Gary Emmett learned the love of gardening as a child from his grandmother. She patiently worked at his side teaching him how to beautify his surroundings.

Gary earned a degree in horticulture from Ricks College, now known as BYU-Idaho, with an emphasis on retail management and landscape construction. He then went to work for a large garden center in Southeast Idaho for 11 years, and managed each of their 2 stores and locations during that time.

During those 11 years, he also was the star of a local news gardening segment on television. He has also had experience in radio call-in shows in which callers could call him and ask their gardening questions.

Gary then went on to work for a national lawn and garden chemical/fertilizer company. He was the regional sales manager and his territory covered five western states. He spent much of his work time training garden centers and their employees about the products his company sold so they could assist their customers.

Gary currently works for his town as the Parks Director. He loves to play with and care for over 500 roses. He also teaches classes to the public on gardening and answers their questions on how to solve their gardening problems.

When Gary is not playing with the roses and parks in town, he enjoys spending his free time designing and planting the “empty canvas” that he and Brenda currently have as a yard. This is a definite work in progress and might actually be finished someday.

Gary’s favorite annuals are Osteospermums, diascia, and calibrachoa. His favorite perennials are heuchera and roses.

Gary has this bit of advice for all gardeners: “Gardening is an adventure filled with many twists and turns. Remember to have fun in the journey and you will be successful.”