The Landscaping Podcast

In this episode I speak with Andrew Christopher Dunne, and garden designer from Ireland who also has a mentorship/course called The Garden Design Mentor, which he created after getting great feedback on the advice he was offering on Instagram.In this episode he talks about how most people learn by doing, and the importance of putting yourself in your client's shoes, understanding their problems and doing more listening than talking.I also took away some advice from Andrew, particularly about dressing appropriately for design appointments, and going dressed as a garden designer, not as a landscaper.You can follow Andrew on Instagram @thegardendesignmentorYou can find out more information about his course at thegardendesignmentor.comIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Daniel O'Callaghan from Nature Build, a landscaping and water feature business based in Bendigo, Victoria. Daniel started out working in heavy timber construction, so does some beautiful timber work, and he also developed a lot of other skills from working around other skilled tradesmen.He discovered water features, so headed off to the US to learn from the best, and has honed his craft since. He talks about his experience of growing his business year on year before realising it wasn't what he wanted.And he has a great story about how he marketed the first water feature he built.You can follow Daniel on Instagram @naturebuild_instaIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Emma Sage from Sage Journal, an online magazine for the garden industry, sharing stunning projects, education, gardening tips and how to's, recipes and everything else you'd expect to find in a gardening magazine.Emma is based in Hawkes Bay in New Zealand and originally studied commercial law and marketing and has used her marketing knowledge to build the audience of the magazine.She makes some great points in this episode, such as the importance of building a great team. She's teamed up with some great writers and photographers and the results show in the work produced.You can follow Emma on Instagram @sage.journalIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Christian Douglas from Christian Douglas Design as well as The Back Yard Farm Company. Christian started out in the UK, studying design and having a business partnership which also designed gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show, before leaving this business and moving to California and starting the current businesses.He discovered a passion for permaculture, and started implementing some principles of it into the garden he and his team design, and has recently launched a book called The Food Forward Garden where he not only shows projects they've designed using these principles, but also gives advice about how everyone can do it.You can follow Christian on Instagram @christian_douglas_design or @thebackyardfarmcoYou can head to his website to learn more about and buy his bookIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Colleen Southwell from The Garden Curator. Colleen is a landscape designer and artist based in Orange, NSW.Colleen mentions that her artwork has taken over more of her time recently, and I was fascinated with how beautiful and unique her paper sculptures were, so we talk plenty about that and her piece which was sent to New York.Colleen also does garden design workshops and she talks about how she teaches people how to come up with their own design style rather than copying another designer.You can follow Colleen on Instagram @thegardencuratorIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Andrea Proctor of Andrea Proctor Landscapes, a design firm located in Melbourne.Andrea has an awesome story about how she got started in the industry and the importance of being proactive and persistent.She worked for Andrew Laidlaw for ten years after working with John Patrick for 5, and she has since worked on around 20 Botanic gardens and went out on her own in 2020.You can follow Andrea on Instagram @andreaproctorlandscapesIn the episode I did with Jim Fogarty, we discussed a Landscape Design course we're both a part of, and in some exciting news, there's a Landscaping Podcast discount code for the course!Use the coupon code: LANDSCAPINGPODCAST when paying in full and you'll save $400! You can head to ulleo.com/landscaping to see the talented people involved in the course, as well as to sign up or see the other courses they offer.You can follow Ulleo on Instagram @ulleoIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with the World Famous Ashley James from Ashley James Gardens.Ash was a guest on episode 13 where he spoke about his path into the industry, so I thought it was a great time to get him back on the podcast 3+ years later to see what he's been up to.We talk about his work writing for Home Beautiful magazine, his partnership with a real estate agency and the launch of his curated seed range with Meadow Flowers Australia.We also talk about Cass Hooke's garden event which we'll both be attending.You can find a link to the Garden Event raffle I speak about here, which raises money for kids cancer charity Country HopeYou can follow Ash on Instagram @ashley_james_gardensIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Andy Murray from Andy Murray Landscape Design, a landscape design business based in Melbourne.Andy had a unique path into the industry, starting out in childcare before studying permaculture design, studying further at Burnley and then working in horticulture for a couple of people. He then started a business partnership with one of those people he was working for and had the business for 12 years before going out on his own.Andy also had a love of music from an early age and he talks about the similarities of how a bad singer can ruin a well written song, compared to a bad landscaper can ruin a well designed garden.We also discuss the challenges of designing to a clients budget and the best ways to go about that.You can follow Andy on Instagram @andymurraylandscapedesignIn the episode I did with Jim Fogarty, we discussed a Landscape Design course we're both a part of, and in some exciting news, there's a Landscaping Podcast discount code for the course!Use the coupon code: LANDSCAPINGPODCAST when paying in full and you'll save $400! You can head to ulleo.com/landscaping to see the talented people involved in the course, as well as to sign up or see the other courses they offer.You can follow Ulleo on Instagram @ulleoIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Elissa Astorino of Elissa Astorino Garden Design. Elissa is based in Canada and currently a student, but graduating this month.She came out to Australia in March to help Peter Donegan with his MIFGS garden as well as designing and building her own garden in the Border Gardens competition.She has a great attitude towards learning, which is what has lead to her being in Australia and not only working at MIFGS, but also developing working relationships with Yards Landscapes and Semken Landscaping to the point that she's worked/working for them for a 3 month placement.I'm looking forward to following along with Elissa on her career in design.You can follow her on Instagram @elissa_astorinoIn the episode I did with Jim Fogarty, we discussed a Landscape Design course we're both a part of, and in some exciting news, there's a Landscaping Podcast discount code for the course!Use the coupon code: LANDSCAPINGPODCAST when paying in full and you'll save $400! You can head to ulleo.com/landscaping to see the talented people involved in the course, as well as to sign up or see the other courses they offer.You can follow Ulleo on Instagram @ulleoIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Jim Fogarty from Jim Fogarty Design, a landscape design company based in Melbourne.Jim has probably done more garden shows than any other Australian designer, winning more than 30 awards, including 16 Gold Medals including a Gold at both Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows.Jim was also a student at Burnley, which has produced an incredible amount of talented people within the industry.He also does garden tours to Japan twice a year with ASA.Something Jim and I have in common is that we're both part of a new Landscape and Garden Design course run by Ulleo, along with some of the best designers in the country! I talk briefly about the course in the intro of the episode, and again with Jim around the 30+ minute mark.In some exciting news, there's a Landscaping Podcast discount code for the course!Use the coupon code: LANDSCAPINGPODCAST when paying in full and you'll save $400! You can head to ulleo.com/landscaping to see the talented people involved in the course, as well as to sign up or see the other courses they offer.You can follow Ulleo on Instagram @ulleo  You can follow Jim on Instagram @jimfogartydesignIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Josh Norman from Josh Norman Landscapes, a landscape design and construction company based in Melbourne.Josh has a great story about how he started out, firstly with his old man who was a bricklayer, but then he worked at multiple places including travelling to Darwin, Perth and the UK for work, before coming back to Melbourne and working for a couple of high end companies prior to starting his business.Josh also has a great story about how he started getting work for his business, by being proactive and contacting designers to get work, and then building on those relationships from there.You can follow Josh on Instagram @joshnormanlandscapesIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with the former owner of InStyle Gardens, Jack Bath.Jack is currently a project manager at Landscape Solutions based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.It was fascinating chatting to Jack and hearing about his transition from business owner to employee and going from residential to commercial, as well as hearing about the pros and cons of having a business in two different states at the same time.I also loved him recalling a quote from Bruce Winstanley that the only time you make money on a project, is when you quote it.If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Chris Hose from Chartwell Nurseries, a wholesale nursery based just outside of Geelong in Bannockburn.I absolutely loved chatting with Chris, not only because he's a plant nerd, but also because he's one of the nicest people in the industry.He's got a great story about his early life in the industry where he was working at a nursery while still at school, but decided to do extra plant study so that he'd have answers to questions when people asked him.Chris was one of the major supporters for our 2023 MIFGS garden and it was exciting to hear that he's teaming up with another designer for next year, and he spoke about how beneficial it is having this much notice, so he can grow things on and have options.You can follow Chris on Instagram @chartwell_nurseriesIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I answer some questions asked via Instagram.Normal interviews will resume next week.If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Hayden from Vereya Gardening, a garden maintenance business mased in the Dandenong Ranges in Melbourne. Hayden has a great story about one of his first projects, working for someone who decided to post an ad for a gardener at the music college Hayden was studying at.He recently went to various gardens overseas for 7 weeks, so he talks about the challenges of running his business remotely for that period of time as well as the planning he put in place prior to leaving.He also has a great localised business model which he shares as well.You can follow Hayden on Instagram @vereyagardeningIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Mia Bueskens from Terravita Horticulture, a garden maintenance and installation company based in Melbourne and around Daylesford, where Mia grew up.She had a great start to the industry with multiple family members part of the industry, and she talks about how influential some workmates and employers were during her development prior to starting her own business, including where she worked for Lucas House and Garden and Jane Jones Landscapes.Mia also has a great message about the importance of charging professionally for a professional service.You can follow Mia on Instagram @terravita.horticultureIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Gareth Wilson from GK Wilson. Gareth is a highly decorated and respected landscaper in the UK and has built at least 30 show gardens, including multiple ones at Chelsea, and has won 11 gold medals as well as best in shows, best in category and best construction.Gareth is also an author, consultant, lecturer and awards judge, among other titles, so despite stepping back form landscaping, he's still just as busy.We talk about the importance of working as a team between landscapers and designers, and Gareth also explains why saying No can be one of the hardest things to master in landscaping.You can follow Gareth on Instagram @northern_landscaper_gareth_If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Ashley O'Sullivan from InDepth Landscape Construction, a company based in Canberra. Ash is the operations manager there and has been for 3 months.Prior to moving to InDepth, Ashley originally worked for his father's business for 10 years and then worked in commercial landscaping for 8-9 years, so we talk about the pros and cons to both and how one can help the other.You can follow InDepth on Instagram @indepth_landscape_constructionIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Suzannah Kennett Lister from SKL Gardens, a landscape design business based in Melbourne.Suzannah originally started her working life in the Theatre space before studying landscape design when COVID closed down the arts world. Her mother is a successful landscape designer in South Australia, so Suzannah grew up around the industry, and she also works on projects with her mum as well as her Melbourne projects.I worked with Suzannah on the Wurundjeri Biik garden at this years MIFGS, so we discuss the origin and story behind that, as well as how amazing the plants were and the challenges of obtaining such a variety of indigenous stock in retail nurseries.You can follow Suzannah on Instagram @skl_gardensIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Sean Dowling from Bayon Gardens, a design and construction company based on the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne.Sean has not only a unique story about the path he took to start in the industry at 27, but also about how he came up with the name Bayon Gardens.He also shares the different way he started the business, with 4-5 employees including zero apprentices to start off with.Sean also shares his story about the Japanese Garden Show build he did with Ross Uebergang where they took out a Silver medal.You can follow Sean on Instagram @bayongardensIf you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page@instyle_gardens@thelandscapingpodcastYou can view each episode on our YouTube channel