When Jenna Lechner signed up for the OSU Home Horticulture Summer course, she didn’t realize how it would open new doors in both her personal gardening and professional life.

Like many of us, Jenna found herself with extra time during the pandemic and was eager to dive into a new skill.

But this wasn’t just about keeping busy—it was about building confidence and knowledge to grow her own plants while also enriching her career as an illustrator.

Meet Jenna: An Illustrator Looking to Grow

Jenna, a Portland-based illustrator and teacher, has always been drawn to the natural world.

Her work focuses on nature-based illustration, but she felt something was missing in her understanding of the subjects she loved to draw.

“I’ve always been interested in biology and botany, but I studied art, so I didn’t get much of that background,” she explains. “I had houseplants, but they would die. I just wanted to improve my plant skills and get a green thumb.”

Like many during the pandemic, Jenna found herself stuck at home and searching for ways to grow—literally and figuratively.

She began looking into classes that could help her learn more about plants and botany, and that’s when she discovered the OSU Home Horticulture Summer course.

“I’ve thought about going back to school for biology, and I do a lot of nature-based illustration, so I wanted to get a certification that could get my feet wet and see if I wanted to pursue more science education,” Jenna says.

Diving into Horticulture: From Houseplants to a Yard Transformation

With no background in horticulture, Jenna had some doubts about taking an online course.

“I wondered if it would be worth the cost, but I knew OSU had a really good forestry program, so I was confident I would get something out of it,” she says.

What Jenna found was much more than she expected—so much so that she’s still referring back to the resources she gained through the course. “My houseplants are a lot happier now,” she says with a smile.

But the benefits didn’t stop there.

Jenna and her partner moved into a home with a large yard, and she wasn’t sure where to begin. “It’s a big blank slate, and I didn’t know what to plant or how to get started,” she admits.

The Home Horticulture Summer course gave her the foundational knowledge she needed to start tackling her outdoor space.

Finding Confidence and Connection

One of the key takeaways for Jenna was the importance of understanding the details.

“I didn’t realize how much goes into identifying plants—things like leaf arrangement and plant anatomy that I never thought about,” she shares.

This new knowledge also enriched her illustration work, giving her a deeper understanding of the subjects she draws. Jenna was also struck by the volume of content the course offered.

“There’s so much to unpack. Every week, you learn something new, and each subject could have been its own course,” she says. Even though she took the condensed summer version of the program, Jenna found herself with a wealth of resources and materials to explore further.

Illustrations for the book “The Ultimate Wildlife Garden Habitat," author Stacy Tornio, published by Timber Press.

A Lifelong Love for Learning (and Nature)

Since completing the course, Jenna has continued to deepen her understanding of horticulture and has even become a certified Oregon Naturalist.

“The Home Horticulture course led me to that program, and now I have that certification too,” she says.

Jenna has also embarked on the Backyard Habitat Certification Program in Portland, adding another layer of learning to her gardening journey.

Beyond the practical gardening skills, Jenna found that the course also expanded her network.

“The discussion boards were a great way to connect with people. There was someone in the course from Bali with just a little balcony, and it was so interesting to see how everyone was making it work with the space they had,” she says.

Applying Her Knowledge to Her Creative Work

As an illustrator, Jenna found the course particularly valuable in how it informed her artistic work. “I’ve even created an insect poster based on what I learned in the insect module,” she says.

One of the most memorable experiences was watching ladybugs in her yard tackle a massive aphid problem.

“I learned so much about how nature works to balance itself. Seeing the ladybug larvae eat the aphids and understanding the lifecycle of beneficial insects was just amazing,” she shares.

Jenna’s new knowledge is also finding its way into her professional projects. She recently designed a wallpaper featuring native Portland plants, showcasing her deepening understanding of the local ecosystem.

"I just signed a book contract this year to do illustrations for another horticulture book. I don't think I would have gotten that job if I didn't have a background that was firmly cemented by the horticulture program!"

You can find Jenna's art at -  https://jennalechner.etsy.com. 

For the Novice and the Knowledgable

For anyone wondering whether the OSU Home Horticulture Summer course is worth it, Jenna offers a resounding “yes.”

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned gardener, there’s something to learn.

“I think if you’ve been gardening your whole life, you’ll still learn something,” she says. “But even if you’re just starting out, it gives you a really good foundation.”

Jenna’s advice to anyone considering the course? “You’ll take something away from it, for sure. It helps take away the overwhelm of gardening and gives you the confidence to get started.”

After completing the program, Jenna also received a grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council this year, to work on some insect-based artwork.

She adds, "I think the entomology unit from the Home Horticulture class really helped in my receiving that grant - along with Professor Gail Langellotto, who helped me in identifying insects for the poster."

Ready to Grow?

Whether you’re looking to improve your gardening skills, inform your professional practice, or simply explore a new hobby, this course offers the tools and resources to help you thrive.

Start your own horticulture journey with the  OSU Home Horticulture Summer course  and watch your gardening skills—and perhaps even your career—grow in ways you never imagined.