Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2003 
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/profiles.html

This Greenhouse Manager is "For the Birds"
September/October 2003 
Carolyn Utter, Editor

    After 12 years of owning a local wild bird store, he recently landed
as Greenhouse Manager at Johnson's Ridge Rd. Store. And although Mike
Hargrove's love for wild birds is already making an impact on the bird
feeding supplies offered at Johnson's, he does have a love for Johnson's
greenhouse plants, too.

    But Mike wasn't always so lucky to be working with nature. Before
opening his wild bird store, Mike worked for 20 years as a service
manager for a heating and air conditioning company. "I just didn't like
working for a large corporation. I was looking for something different"
he commented about that career change. The recent downturn in the
economy played a big part in Mike's decision to close the wild bird
store; and in March of this year, he found a new home at Johnson's.

    Mike's list of outside activities is impressive. He is currently
Chairman of the Wichita Garden Show, Master Judge for the American Iris
Society, and on the Board of Directors at the Great Plains Nature
Center. He's been involved with the Wichita Garden Show for over 8
years; the American Iris Society for 20 years; and the Great Plains
Nature Center for one year.

    In his free time, Mike's gardening passion is irises. He has over
400 different varieties and likes to collect all types available,
especially the more unusual ones. He's made lots of wonderful friends
with his involvement in the local Wichita Iris Society including "one of
my best friends" 92-year-old Helen who's been growing irises since the
1930s.

    And although Mike's wife of 30 years, Sansi, also enjoys gardening,
they often take a different approach as to how to landscape the yard.
"I'm a collector ... she's more of a painter" he noted while trying to
explain their differing approaches to gardening. Mike and Sansi have two
children. Their son is in the army in Germany and their daughter is
living in Michigan with her family of five children, ages 9 to 2.

    Mike's passion for birds remains strong. He has five bird feeders in
his yard right now and during the peak feeding season he has 10 to 15
feeders going. Feathered friends who routinely visit at this time of
year include orioles, goldfinches, brown thrashers, yellow billed
cuckoos and hummingbirds.

    As we visited, Mike passed on a few tips about how to attract
hummingbirds; and then, with a little coaxing, he agreed to conduct
future birding seminars for us at Johnson's! Mike also agreed to share
his expertise in upcoming issues of "Garden Talk" so stay tuned for
great birding advice.