In this episode I speak with Chris England from Merrywood Plants.
Merrywood plants is a nursery specialising in espaliered plants and after espaliering was a hobby for Chris for 5-10 years, he then started Merrywood 25 years ago.
Chris mentions how, at two of his early nursery employers, he was taught the importance of knowing how to speak to people, and the importance of good people.
We also talk about how underrated I think espalier plants are and their various uses in a garden setting.
You can follow Chris on Instagram @merrywood_plants
You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast
You can view each episode on our YouTube channel
Episode 181 - Keith Edwards - Keith Edwards Landscape Consultant
In this episode I speak with Keith Edwards of Keith Edwards Landscape Consultant. Keith has been in the industry more than 40 years so is a wealth of knowledge, and has a passion for the industry to match.
He has a great path to begin in the industry, where he learnt design, but then wanted to understand how a design would all fit together, so worked in grounds maintenance, turf research, landscape construction and irrigation and then went on to work for the Diggers Club before now working for himself once again.
Keith specifies some unique additives for plant health in his designs, so we discuss them, as well as the value of building a network of good, reliable people around you.
Keith is co host of his own podcast, Muddy Boots, and you can follow him on Instagram @ke_landscape_consultant or email him at keithmaxed@outlook.com
You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast
You can view each episode on our YouTube channel
Episode 180 - Simon Rosa - Simon Rosa Landscaping
In this episode I speak with Simon Rosa from Simon Rosa Landscaping, a landscape design, construction and maintenance business based in Bendigo.
Simon has been running the business for around 20 years so has plenty of experience, starting out as a two man show to now having around 15 employees and working on the best gardens in Bendigo.
In this chat Simon talks about his positive experience during his apprenticeship schooling at Holmsglen. He also talks about the importance of working on your business, not just in it like a lot of landscapers do.
You can follow Simon on Instagram @simonrosalandscaping
You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast
You can view each episode on our YouTube channel
Episode 179 - Chloe Thomson - Bean There Dug That
In this episode I speak with Chloe Thomson from Bean There Dug That and also Sprout School.
Chloe is an educator with her course teaching all things gardening with Sprout School, but she also wears many other hats in the horticulture industry from being an MC/speaker, to presenter/producer among other roles.
She has a great story about building good relationships with employers even when leaving.
And her tv presenting and producing experience has given her plenty of tips about the best way to plan and film content, so she shares some tips in this chat which are quite helpful.
Her Autumn intake for Sprout School closes on Feb 20, 2024 and you can use the discount code Joel50 to save $50, but if you miss out because this episode is released two days before then, she might also honour that code for the spring intake.
You can follow Chloe on Instagram @beantheredugthat
You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast
You can view each episode on our YouTube channel
Episode 178 - Nick Bransgrove - Lawns In Good Nick
In this episode I speak with Nick Bransgrove from Lawns In Good Nick. Nick started his social media account a couple of years ago after renovating his home lawn and realising how much he enjoyed it, and wanted to provide tips to other folks on how they could do the same.
He's since built the instagram page to 100k followers and recently started a YouTube and TikTok account as well.
He's also recently launched a renovation guide to provide more in depth information on how homeowners can achieve a beautiful lawn, with different options available for different levels of commitment.
You can follow Nick on Instagram @lawnsingoodnick
You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast
You can view each episode on our YouTube channel
Episode 177 - Bec Bennett - Annan Homestead
In this episode I speak with Bec Bennett.
Bec is another lucky person who knew what industry she wanted to work in from an early age, taking trips to the local nursery before starting work there as soon as she was able to.
She went on to start her own business and talks about the challenges of knowing your worth when charging for landscape design.
Bec is the president of Encouraging Women In Horticulture and also teaches at Chisolm Tafe
You can follow Bec on Instagram @annan_homestead
You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast
You can view each episode on our YouTube channel
Episode 176 - Matt Ferguson - Ferguson Landscape Design
In this episode I speak with Matt Ferguson from Ferguson Landscape and Design, a landscape construction company based in Melbourne.
Matt has only been in business a short time, having started the business in January 2020, but he's doing a lot of things right early. He employed a business coach in the first few months and we talk about the benefits this has brought.
Matt also talks about how he worked for his last employer as a subbie when he started his business, to fill in any gaps he had, which is a great way to start out.
He also talks about getting plenty of work in a new estate where a client praised him on a Facebook group for the estate, and how this lead to many new projects.
You can follow Matt on Instagram @fergusonlandscapedesign
You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast
You can view each episode on our YouTube channel
Episode 175 - Stacey Swetnam - Legacy Gardens
In this episode I speak with Stacey Swetnam from Legacy Gardens, a landscape construction company based in Sydney. Stacey currently works at Harrison's Landscaping where she began and completed her apprenticeship and will commit fulltime to Legacy Gardens in the coming years.
I first became aware of Stacey through her podcast "Tradie Lady Talk" where she spoke with women in the construction industry. There's just three episodes so far, but they're a great listen for people in the construction industry.
In this chat Stacey talks about the value of having sub contractors on site and learning from these specialists in their field. And she also talks about ho challenging it as to get started in landscape construction, particularly on a first year apprentice age, but how she did whatever it took, including working three jobs at once, so that she could work in a job she enjoyed.
You can follow Stacey on Instagram @landscaper.stacey or @legacygardens.syd and you can see where she learnt he trade @harrisonslandscaping
You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast
You can view each episode on our YouTube channel
