June 2023 - 50

5 MINUTES WITH ...
5
Can you share a little bit about what you
were doing before buying Rockledge
Gardens last year?
My partner Brendan and I were working as
merchant mariners on commercial cargo ships. We
worked on general cargo, car carrier and container
ships. We would live away on the ship for three to
four months at a time, and then we would be home
for three to four months. We liked the maritime
industry because there was a great sense of purpose
in being on the front lines of delivering everyday
items around the world. We decided to buy Rockledge
Gardens pretty serendipitously. We wanted to anchor
our lives in a more sustainable and long-lasting career
where we could work for ourselves.
What has surprised you about owning a
garden center?
I wasn't a gardening or horticulture expert before
buying a garden center. I actually couldn't have indoor
plants or a garden because I was away from home for
so long. It's been very surprising to see how plants
change season to season, and how many different
natural elements and products go into keeping plants
indoors and maintaining a lush garden. I'm also
surprised at how much I learn from our customers!
What's the best part about your job?
Because we have had such a steep learning curve
about plants, business owning and living on land, the
50 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | JUNE 2023
MINUTES
-WITH-
DEVON
KLINGMAN
By Teresa McPherson
Devon Klingman is co-owner
of Rockledge Gardens with her
partner Brendan Hayes-Morrison.
best part of my job is learning something new. I learn
something new every day from my team, from our
customers or on my own. It's so rewarding to figure
something out about an issue with a plant, or an issue
with inventory, and then being able to fix it.
What is your biggest goal for this year?
My biggest goal is to balance work and life better.
It has been a very challenging transition from our
previous careers, and buying a business is a lot of
work. Our one-year anniversary of ownership is in
June, and we are so excited to learn all seasons of the
business and move into the next half of the year with
more experience.
What's something that few people know
about you?
Two things! A lot of people are surprised to find out
that I am a Naval Reserve officer. I went to a service
academy and I serve two or more weeks per year with
the Navy. Also, I have been practicing yoga for over 10
years - and it's a very important pillar of my health
and life. I hope to get certified to teach one day.
Favorite plant to grow? Why?
I particularly enjoy growing lettuce (romaine, butter
lettuce and kale) to eat. It's so gratifying to grow your
own food! I have several houseplants but one that I am
the most perplexed by is my ZZ 'Raven' plant. It needs
very little light, and it still grows stems and leaves that
are green first and gradually turn a deep purple.

June 2023

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