General Manager
Darrel is the shops brains, IT department, graphic designer, handyman, Jasper Whisperer, and all around cool-headed, even keeled Aquarius we know as our General Manager.
Darrel uses he/him pronouns, for example “Hey, thats Darrel! I recognize him and his bird Jasper!” You can typically find us very lost and confused without him.
Darrel is half Czech, with some Scottish, Irish, Welsh and British lineage. His favorite food is pasta, and his favorite plant is a tie between Dioon edule and the California Fan Palm.
His plant pro-tip for the people: “You should talk to Susana, Yanira or Juan--they're the experts.”
Specialist - Production and Horticulture
UCP Seguin Made products
Joe always comes to work with a
smile (and a joke). When asked why he likes to make wares for the Garden Center, he said," Cause I got a job with a real check". He says that he likes to know about different skills.
Joe also wanted me to tell everyone,"
Come help us. If you find something you like,buy it."
Specialist - Sales + Greenhouse
Juan is a sales associate/part-time horticulturist. So chances are you’ve met him in the store, or in the greenhouse.
Juan uses he/him pronouns. Example: “Hey, I know him! That’s Juan, he works at Seguin!”
Juan is from Guatemala so it’s only natural that his favorite plant is the Ceiba tree, the national tree of Guatemala!
Juan is also a Cancer, and his favorite thing to snack on is a strawberry cheese danish.
Juan’s plant care tip for the people: “Try not to water your garden in the middle of the day when it’s the hottest. This helps you avoid leaf scorch!”
Specialist - Sales + Greenhouse
Karen is a bold Aries, so if you need an opinion on a pot for your new plant, she can help you out.
If you need a plant suggestion, she might recommend a Chinese Evergreen, since it’s her favorite. 🌲🤩
Karen uses she/her pronouns. Her favorite snack is a handful of honey sesame sticks.
You can find Karen in the shop teaching us Polish slang from her homeland.
Her Plant Pro Tip for the People: “Ask Juan or Susana”
AKA Micky or “El Padrino.”
Miguel’s hometown calls him El Padrino because during his time away from the Garden Center, Miguel goes to Mexico and helps support families with little ones in his town.
Miguel is a Scorpio, and uses He/Him pronouns. When asked what his favorite food is he said “I don’t discriminate, I’ll eat everything.” Miguel is from Michoacán, he came to the US several years ago. He speaks English + Spanish, and wants to learn Italian.
Miguel’s plant tip for the people: “Take care of nature, and keep it clean. Plants need clean the air that’s why we keep them in our houses.” He also said, “When people come to me when they need advice, I try to give them the best advice I can. I like to help and support people.”
During the Spring he works in the greenhouse as a horticulturist and all around great help.
This is Sonia. She’s a grounded Taurus and really helps keep the greenhouse on task! Sonia speaks Spanish and some English. Sonia uses she/her pronouns.
She is a Horticulturist in the greenhouse, and her favorite part of working here is transplanting plants. Sonia is also a paid resident artist who paints the UCP Seguin Made ceramics!!
Her favorite food is pizza, and her plant tip for the people is: ”Don’t water too much, feel the soil, and water when the soil is dry” she also says: “Ay que tener cuidado escogiendo una planta, uno tiene que aprender cómo cuidarla antes de comprar.”
Coordinator - Greenhouse + Propagation
She oversees Greenhouse Production/Propagation... You know UCPSeguin Grown Veggies and Herbs? We have them every year thanks to Susana!! (She just holds the seeds in her hands and they all sprout🌱😉♥️)
She also supervises greenhouse staff: Markita, Sonia, Miguel, and Steve, together they all make UCP Seguin Grown possible.
Susana is a Taurus, and always keeps us grounded.
Her favorite thing to eat is Huachinango, which is a red snapper dish.
Susana is from Mexico City, MX, and speaks English, Spanish, and a little bit of ASL. Susana uses she/her pronouns.
Susana’s plant tip for the people: “You have to have a lot of love and patience.” THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO SUSANA! ♥️🌱
Coordinator - Garden Center
Our resident Houseplant Whisperer, Yanira also goes by Yani.
She's our resident social media maven, and she comes alive on our Instagram posts and stories.
She speaks both English and Spanish (as well as fluent "Plant").
Yani's favorite plant (yes, we forced her to choose one) is the 'epipremnum' family (she couldn't pick just one). Her favorite food is Darrel's Vegan Cinnamon Rolls.
Yanira's plant tip for the people: "There is no one right way or wrong way to take care of a houseplant."
