Middletowns PlantHer founder intent on turning thumbs to green – Middletown Press

PlantHer founder Jillian Shea, right, shows off her completed project to a participant of a recent plant night. The former 14-year farmer and horticulturalist educates clients and students on growing methods, and teaches them the tricks and tips to create a thriving container plant.

PlantHer founder Jillian Shea, right, shows off her completed project to a participant of a recent plant night. The former 14-year farmer and horticulturalist educates clients and students on growing methods,

PlantHer founder Jillian Shea, right, shows off her completed project to a participant of a recent plant night. The former 14-year farmer and horticulturalist educates clients and students on growing methods, and teaches them the tricks and tips to create a thriving container plant.

PlantHer founder Jillian Shea, right, shows off her completed project to a participant of a recent plant night. The former 14-year farmer and horticulturalist educates clients and students on growing methods,

Middletowns PlantHer founder intent on turning thumbs to green

MIDDLETOWN Seeds of the ever-expanding self-care movement are taking hold in the horticultural field, as more gardeners and plant enthusiasts are discovering the pastime offers a plethora of benefits, including physical, meditative and therapeutic.

Armed with 14 years of experience, Jillian Shea of Middletown, 30, founder of PlantHer Life, is educating the public on successful growing methods through plant nights and other events all meant to encourage all to transform their digits into thriving green thumbs.

Sheas goal is creating opportunities for personal growth and empowerment through plants. Theres something everyone can gain from having plants in their lives. Learning about plants can empower people, she said.

In fact, she wraps up every plant night (modeled on paint nights; very popular with women) by offering hand-outs, which give the best methods for fostering healthy houseplants, flowers and herbs.

Im your emotional plant care support, shell tell participants. You can always email me with whatever meltdown or crisis youre having.

These gatherings offer women who wear multiple hats the opportunity to take time for themselves, said Shea, who started her business just six months ago.

Shes already enjoying success so much so, shes booked through April.

Were not dealing with student debt. Were not moms right now, or dealing with something difficult at home. Were here to create something beautiful together, she tells her clients.

People are really craving that right now. So many people feel consumed by what they have to do, they forget the option to do something therapeutic and creative, Shea explained.

Everyone is capable of becoming a proud plant parent, she added.

Shes clearing up misconceptions in the process, as well as countering the belief that certain individuals are innately incapable of fostering their plants.

Its just like anything else. With a little bit of time and love and research, and all the essentials (organic soil, good light and water), anyone can grow anything, Shea said.

PlantHer also focuses on encouraging high school and college students to explore careers in the agriculture field.

Part of that is about bringing young people into the green industry specifically young women. Farming is still somewhat of a male-dominated field. I try to connect those dots to bring more women into the horticultural and farming industries, she said.

She also offers online tutorials, coaching and consulting, farm-to-school curriculum and training, as well as speaking engagements.

Shea made that bold career move to go into business for herself after she realized reaching new heights wasnt possible in farming. Ive always been surrounded by plants, but theres a point in the farming industry where youre just a farmer. The pinnacle of your career is essentially managing a farm if you dont get your own property.

One nursery she worked for tried to branch out to hands-on plant-related projects. It never really went anywhere, and I thought there was still potential there, Shea said.

Her first event, Plant Nights and Pints, at Counterweight Brewing in Hamden, sold out. It instantly got attention, and it took off from there, she said.

Swift success caught her by surprise. I turned a whim into what the business is being defined by. Whats made the difference is not only that it offers an alternative way to go out, socialize and spend time; but it adds an element of fun an alternate way of socializing.

Once people bring their plants home, the chances of them thriving depend upon various factors, including how hot one keeps a house, how drafty a door is, and whether individuals are willing to invest time and love into the pastime, or theyre more negligent, she said.

Theres no formula that says, If you do this, this and this, the plant will live. Your conditions in your home are so unique and youre so unique so depending on your habits. There are so many different pieces of the puzzle. Plant care can be relatively complex, Shea admits.

She insists on all-organic soil. Thats really the building blocks of a healthy plant. In decent conditions, the plant is usually fine.

Shell advise clients to try making their own nutritious sprouts as a starter project and cheaper alternative to store-bought. No soil is needed.

One trick for seed starting is using a heat mat or to improvise by placing containers on top of the refrigerator to warm the bottom.

She advises people to consider supporting their local nurseries, which are comparably priced, and have knowledgeable staff passionate about what they do.

The alternative is more of a gamble, Shea said. Typically when something is being sent to a large hardware store, those plants have sometimes been raised far away. Theyre shipped in big box trucks and packaged. Theyre taken from all-ideal conditions in the greenhouse, driven far away, and then they get plunked in this fluorescent light.

Shoppers see the plants in all their glory, but are then disappointed when they die in a week. Its like theyve been through transplant shock almost like going through a traumatic change of scenery, Shea said.

I cant. I kill everything, she hears from about 80 percent of people who attend her workshops. Its a negative sentiment, but also untrue, Shea said.

Focusing with fresh eyes and an optimistic attitude is key. Working with plants naturally calms the nervous system and provides a sense of accomplishment, Shea said.

This is something beautiful were creating, but it is a living thing. Thats usually one missing thing people dont realize with their plant care. They forget, because it cant talk to them or make a noise that it still needs attention and care, she said.

For information, visit plantherlife.com or PlantHerLife on Facebook. To get a free two-week subscription to her video tutorials, visit skillshare.com

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Middletowns PlantHer founder intent on turning thumbs to green - Middletown Press