The Front Garden
LV Member - Chris Weiss
Landscaping Victoria brings you the latest in landscaping news, trends, and ideas by sharing some stories from people within the industry to help make your landscaping career a little easier.
Proudly sponsored by MRL Media.
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Top 10 The Front Garden Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Front Garden episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Front Garden for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Front Garden episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
The Front Garden EP 89 - Darin Bradbury from MINT talks design & the importance of marketing
The Front Garden
12/06/23 • 51 min
If you are new to the industry or starting up a business, tune in to hear from one of the best in the industry. Learn how the client onboarding and design process takes place, and how you can be a better designer overall, as Chris and Tyson chat to Darin Bradbury from MINT Landscape Design.
Starting in the wine industry as a winemaker, judge and avid drinker of the product (he still does this last bit) Darin decided to make the shift to landscaping after several years amongst the vines and realising he had broader horizons to conquer.
Fast forward to 2018 and MINT was born out of a collaboration with Scott Wynd (Season 5 Ep 5) where Darin is the principal designer leading a team consisting of designers, planners and a marketer. This last role has been actively included in the business model for 2 years and has provided value in getting better jobs and helping MINT access parts of the market where more interesting jobs can be found.
Tune in for these, and more, great tips from the winner of the 2023 Victorian Landscape Awards 'Landscape of the Year' recipient.
EPISODE LINKS:
MINT Pool & Landscape Design - https://mintdesign.net.au/
TFG Sponsor: MRL Media - https://mrlmedia.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Project Landscape. Providing an exclusive opportunity for LV members to visually showcase their work. For more details, visit project landscape.com.au
The Front Garden EP92 - Dr Thami Croeser shares his expertise on integrating green spaces into urban streets
The Front Garden
01/30/24 • 51 min
Join hosts Chris and Tyson as they chat with Thami Croeser, a passionate advocate for integrating green life into urban spaces. Thami discusses his passion for turning streets into eco-friendly havens, emphasizing the global trend of cities replacing parking spaces with green streets for the cooling, biodiversity and mental health benefits.
He shares insights on standards for urban greenery, the role of landscapers in driving change, and the challenges he's faced in pushing for greener urban environments.
Don't miss this insightful episode on the potential of green streets to reshape cities and create a more sustainable, vibrant urban landscape.
EPISODE LINKS:
Dr Thami Croeser: Linkedin Profile
TFG Sponsor: MRL Media - https://mrlmedia.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Project Landscape. Providing an exclusive opportunity for LV members to visually showcase their work. For more details, visit project landscape.com.au
The Front Garden EP100 - Benjamin Warner (UDL Group) - talks all things commercial landscaping
The Front Garden
05/22/24 • 38 min
In this episode...
Benjamin Warner, General Manager at Urban Development Landscapers (UDL) Group, chats with Chris and Tyson and takes us on a journey from milking cows to million-dollar developments.
Benjamin took an adventurous path from studying landscape architecture in Canada to becoming the General Manager at UDL Group, one of Victoria's largest commercial landscaping companies.
UDL operates on a massive scale, constructing major projects, including sprawling streetscapes, parklands with giant sculptures, and complex wetland systems for developers and councils. With over 100 employees, Benjamin covers how dot-the-i's processes, innovative tech, and old-fashioned community partnerships are mission-critical.
👁️🗨️ About UDL Group & Benjamin Warner
- Website: https://udlgroup.com.au
- Facebook @udlgroup
- Instagram @udlgroup
- LinkedIn @udl-group-pty-ltd and @benjamin-warner
🔔 Hit Follow For More Landscaping Industry Insights
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Project Landscape. Providing an exclusive opportunity for LV members to visually showcase their work. For more details, visit project landscape.com.au
Growing a Landscaping Business with Purpose with Peter Shaw | The Front Garden EP118
The Front Garden
04/03/25 • 37 min
In this episode...
Chris Weiss is joined by Peter Shaw—founder and creative director of Ocean Road Landscaping and author of Soulscapes: Connecting Gardens to Landscapes, for an honest and insightful conversation about building a career, a business, and a life rooted in the coastal environment of Anglesea.
With over 30 years in the industry, Peter shares the evolution of Ocean Road Landscaping from a humble ute-based operation into a thriving design, construction, and maintenance business with nearly 30 staff.
He opens up about the importance of designing gardens that belong to their place, leading with values, and finding harmony between work and life.
From staff retention to cash flow forecasting, Peter offers practical advice for landscaping professionals looking to build a sustainable business.
Key takeaways:
- The value of creating gardens that are deeply connected to their environment
- How Peter and Simone grew Ocean Road Landscaping organically with a clear focus on values and community
- Why strong leadership and trusting your team are crucial for long-term business success
- Tips on setting sustainable hourly rates and maintaining financial forecasting
- The importance of listening to clients and building lasting relationships across design, construction, and maintenance
- The beauty and challenges of working in coastal and Otway landscapes
- Peter’s dream project, and what he might be doing if he weren’t landscaping
🔔 Follow The Front Garden For More Landscaping Industry Insights
👁️🗨️ About Peter Shaw
- Website: www.orl.com.au
- Ocean Road Landscaping Video Gallery
- Facebook: Ocean Road Landscaping
- Instagram @oceanroadlandscaping
- LinkedIn: Peter Shaw
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Project Landscape. Providing an exclusive opportunity for LV members to visually showcase their work. For more details, visit project landscape.com.au
The Front Garden EP63 - George Hatzimanolis
The Front Garden
11/14/22 • 47 min
In this week's episode, Chris and Tyson speak with George Hatzimanolis, CEO of RepurposeIt, a Melbourne based resource recovery business that converts waste to materials for the construction and landscape industries.
After working in the roads sector for many years, George discusses the moment he visited an open-cut mine and realised the impact of road infrastructure and urban development on our natural resources. This eventually led him on the path toward the circular economy, and RepurposeIt was born in 2017.
George talks to Chris and Tyson about the growing demand for recycled materials, how Australia differs culturally in its approach to recycling compared to European countries like Denmark, and how a mindful approach to recycling could help keep costs down in the landscaping industry.
EPISODE LINKS:
RepurposeIt - https://www.repurposeit.com.au/
Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Project Landscape. Providing an exclusive opportunity for LV members to visually showcase their work. For more details, visit project landscape.com.au
The Front Garden EP62 - Julie Krieger
The Front Garden
10/31/22 • 47 min
What makes a small business thrive? This week, Chris and Tyson speak with Julie Krieger, founder of Onsomble, a business management service specialising in supporting small organisations to achieve success.
After flirting with studies in landscape design, Julie Krieger eventually found herself as the CEO of The Landscape Association, working with landscapers in NSW and ACT. Her experience working in an association gave her valuable insights into the needs of small businesses, and in 2017 she established of Onsomble. In this episode, Julie discusses the importance of business strategy and planning, knowing when to say ‘no’, and planning for failure on your journey to success.
EPISODE LINKS:
Onsomble - https://onsomble.com.au/
Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au
(**Note: this episode was recorded online, and listeners may experience some variations in audio in parts.)
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Project Landscape. Providing an exclusive opportunity for LV members to visually showcase their work. For more details, visit project landscape.com.au
The Front Garden EP61 - Peter Donegan
The Front Garden
10/17/22 • 54 min
Starting out as the geeky kid who was 'into plants', Peter launched his own landscaping business in 2001, at age 24. He has become known for winning awards for 17th and 18th century gardens across Europe. Notably, he was selected to represent Ireland to design & realise the Irish WW1 Centenary Peace Garden at Chateau de Péronne in 2018, and returned to design a second inaugurated garden in 2022.
In this episode, he talks with Chris and Tyson about the privilege and responsibility of working on historic gardens, the influence of climate change on his choice of plantings, his favourite garden project, and the inspiration for the show garden he has planned as guest designer at MIFGS 2023.
EPISODE LINKS:
Peter Donegan Garden Design - https://doneganlandscaping.com/
Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au
(**Note: this episode was recorded online, and listeners may experience some variations in audio in parts.)
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Project Landscape. Providing an exclusive opportunity for LV members to visually showcase their work. For more details, visit project landscape.com.au
The Front Garden S5 EP10 - Hamish Mitchell
The Front Garden
10/03/22 • 50 min
Even as an 11 year old, Hamish Mitchell loved working in the garden. After a brief stint as a 'terrible' landscaper, Hamish found his feet taking care of the gardens at Government House in Canberra, followed by a tenure at Parliament House as the head horticulturist. Today, Hamish runs Speciality Trees, one of the leading suppliers of advanced and semi-advanced trees to landscapers. He talks to Chris and Tyson about the Australian Tree Standard (AS 2303:2018), the importance of investing in new talent in the horticulture industry, how climate change might influence tree choices in the future, and tips for ensuring tree planting success.
EPISODE LINKS:
Speciality Trees - https://www.specialitytrees.com.au/
Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Project Landscape. Providing an exclusive opportunity for LV members to visually showcase their work. For more details, visit project landscape.com.au
The Front Garden S5 EP09 - Lily Sabo
The Front Garden
09/19/22 • 37 min
This week, Chris and Tyson sit down with landscape architect, Lily Sabo, of Sabo Design.
With a childhood dream of becoming an architect, Lily side-stepped into landscape design, getting her start designing backyard pools for some of Melbourne's most successful pool builders. Finally deciding to back herself, she decided to launch out on her own, and Sabo Design was born. Lily talks about the ups and downs of starting a design studio, the significance of relationships in getting new customers, and the importance of self-care when running your own business.
EPISODE LINKS:
Sabo Design - http://www.sabodesign.com.au/
Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Project Landscape. Providing an exclusive opportunity for LV members to visually showcase their work. For more details, visit project landscape.com.au
The Front Garden EP69 - Brent Reid
The Front Garden
03/02/23 • 51 min
In this episode, Chris & Tyson talk to Brent Reid from Candeo Design about his career to date, including a fascinating 2&1/2 years as a landscape designer in the Middle East.
Brent is a self-confessed addict of show gardens, and with good reason, too! Brent is instrumental in developing the next generation of show garden designers though the London College of Garden Design Melbourne (lcgd.com.au) – with one of his students entering the Boutique Gardens competition at MIFGS in 2023.
EPISODE LINKS:
Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au
Candeo Designs https://www.candeodesign.com.au/
London College of Garden Design https://www.lcgd.com.au/
Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show - https://melbflowershow.com
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Project Landscape. Providing an exclusive opportunity for LV members to visually showcase their work. For more details, visit project landscape.com.au
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Front Garden have?
The Front Garden currently has 108 episodes available.
What topics does The Front Garden cover?
The podcast is about Leisure, Home & Garden, Gardening, Construction, Podcasts, Landscape Design, Landscaping and Business.
What is the most popular episode on The Front Garden?
The episode title 'The Front Garden EP63 - George Hatzimanolis' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Front Garden?
The average episode length on The Front Garden is 44 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Front Garden released?
Episodes of The Front Garden are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of The Front Garden?
The first episode of The Front Garden was released on Oct 27, 2020.
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