What is Digging In?
Digging In is THE association for professional container gardeners.
A community of like-minded professionals that serves as a powerful resource for container gardeners. Every entrepreneur needs a community, a place to belong. But this can be difficult to find in a profession where much time is spent designing and creating on your own.
Digging In was conceived to answer that need: To not only provide a place for professional container garden designers to come together, but to give them the tools they need to grow their businesses with confidence. It’s the first community of its kind dedicated and tailored to all aspects of professional container gardening! There are great challenges to being an entrepreneur, but you don’t have to go at it alone! When you become a part of Digging In, you cultivate a community that will support, inspire and help you grow!
Who is Digging In for?
Digging In is created specifically for professional container gardeners. Owners, managers, and employees in the container gardening and landscaping industry are welcome to be a part of the association.
Why be a part of Digging In?
Digging In believes in cultivating a place to belong. This community is genuinely invested in seeing you succeed.
- Receive encouragement, helpful tips and inspiring ideas.
- Find peace in knowing you are not alone.
- Expand your knowledge and grow your business.
- Access to meaningful support from the community.
Our Mission
To facilitate the business of professional container gardening through educational opportunities, shared knowledge, inspiration, motivation and the enhancement of professionalism.
Our Purpose
Digging In will be the leading voice for professional container gardeners by representing the profession and providing opportunities for collaboration and interaction with one another and with others in the horticulture industry.
Our Vision
Build a professional community that will inspire, share knowledge and support one another while encouraging continued learning.
Digging In will advocate for acknowledgement, value and respect for professional container gardeners.
Our Values
Educate, uplift and empower members while always being kind and caring.
Value and develop our member’s talents with respect and encouragement.
Teamwork, we can achieve more when we collaborate and work together.
Keep members engaged and enthusiastic in a friendly, personal setting.
For the Consumer
What is a professional container gardener?
A professional container gardener provides custom designed seasonal planters to make your home or business a more beautiful and enjoyable place to be.
Why choose a professional container gardener?
A professional has the knowledge to design and choose the correct flowers for your location to flourish all season long. A professional can design a colorful, flowering planter with the power to make people stop and admire. A professional can save you time and money by creating a beautiful natural environment with no guesswork and no mess for you every season!
Our Board of Directors
Mary Starnes, President
Mary is the owner of The Windowbox Gardener and Porch Pots Direct in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Windowbox Gardener started in 2004 and expanded to include Porch Pots Direct in 2018. Both businesses serve residential and commercial clients.
Leanne James, Vice President
Leanne is the owner of Urban Oasis Container Gardens in Wheaton, Illinois. Leanne has been feeding her plant addiction and bringing the beauty to seasonal planters in the Chicago suburbs since 2011.
Joan Mazat, Secretary
Joan is an industry veteran with experience spanning from production growing to distribution, bringing a well-rounded perspective to the green industry. She spent over 20 years on the Ball Seed Container Solutions Team, where she shared her passion for plants. Joan now serves in a sales role with Ron Clesen’s, where she continues to connect high-quality plant material with the professionals that bring beautiful container designs to life.
Meg Adams, Treasurer
Meg Adams is the owner of Divine Containers, a full-service container gardening business providing all-season designs for residential and commercial clients throughout Southwest and East Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since launching her business in January 2012, Meg has built a reputation for creating beautiful, seasonal container displays that bring lasting impact and joy to her clients’ spaces.
Meg is known for her thoughtful approach to design, her encouragement of others in the industry, and her genuine desire to see those around her succeed. In addition to running her business, she generously volunteers her time as Treasurer for the Digging In Association, bringing that same spirit of support and dedication to the organization and its members.
Julie Cameron, Member at Large
Julie is the owner of Porch POP Seasonal Planters in Wyoming, Ohio. Since 2020, she’s been grateful for the opportunity to turn her creativity into work—combining her love of plants and design to create, install, and maintain seasonal planters for clients throughout the Cincinnati area.
Caraline Griffith, Member at Large
Caraline Griffith is the founder and designer of Blumen & Branch, a Washington-based container garden and exterior styling studio. She specializes in custom-planted and seasonal drop-in containers, with a foliage-driven style that incorporates branches and natural elements to create layered, four-season designs.
Behind the Scenes
Kristina May, Director of Operations
Kristina May is the Director of Operations for the Digging In Association and the plant-loving force behind Oxford Garden Co. in northeast Mississippi. She launched her business as a side hustle in 2021 and has been growing ever since—plants, people, and possibilities alike.
Equal parts operations strategist and plant matchmaker, Kristina brings both structure and creativity to her work. She is passionate about supporting fellow container gardeners, streamlining systems, and creating an environment where both the blooms—and the businesses—can thrive.
Molly Johnson, Member Services Coordinator
Molly serves as the Member Services Coordinator for the Digging In Association, supporting member onboarding, events, and day-to-day engagement. Much of her work happens behind the scenes, helping create a seamless experience for members.
She is also the Lead Designer at Divine Containers, where she creates seasonal container designs for residential and commercial clients.
Known for her organization, reliability, and genuine care for others, Molly plays an essential role in supporting both members and leadership at Digging In.
Andrea Gasper, Founder
Andrea Gasper is the founder of the Digging In Association and a trailblazer in the professional container gardening industry. She launched Contained Gardens in 2001, building a successful full-service design company in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Recognizing the need for connection and support in the industry, Andrea founded Digging In in 2017 to create a community for container gardeners to learn, share, and grow.
In 2026, Andrea stepped away from Digging In to focus on her next chapter—combining her love of gardens, travel, and meaningful experiences. Through her company, Inspired Escapes, she leads curated garden tours throughout Europe.