The Foodscaper Podcast

Charging more is not the risky move, underpricing is. Connor Marelic of Switchgrass explains why so many foodscaping and ecological landscaping businesses stay busy, admired, and broke - and how to build bids that actually create a profitable, sustainable company. Matt talks with Connor about the hidden math behind pricing, why 95% close rates usually mean prices are too low, and how aiming for 20...

Charging more is not the risky move, underpricing is. Connor Marelic of Switchgrass explains why so many foodscaping and ecological landscaping businesses stay busy, admired, and broke - and how to build bids that actually create a profitable, sustainable company. Matt talks with Connor about the hidden math behind pricing, why 95% close rates usually mean prices are too low, and how aiming for 20...

Unlock the secret to scaling your edible landscaping business—without burning out. Katie Carey from Columbus Foodscapes reveals how she transitioned from solo operator to managing a thriving team, all while staying true to her core values and passion. If you're dreaming of growth but feeling overwhelmed, this episode will change the way you see team-building, client relationships, and sustaina...

Unlock the future of community living through food—where edible landscapes become a powerhouse for connection, sustainability, and healthy neighborhoods. If you're passionate about transforming green spaces into vibrant food communities, this episode is your playbook. Tripp Eldridge, founder of Convivial Foodscapes , shares how he's leading a movement that blends agriculture, community, an...

Un miniepisodio del Foodscaper en español! Con Scott Gallant de ⁠ Porvenir Design , y tu anfitrión, Matt Lebon.

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Foodscaper Podcast! In this episode, we explore the incredible journey of Scott Gallant, co-founder of Porvenir Design , and his deep connection to sustainable design in Costa Rica. If you've ever wondered how to turn a passion for permaculture and ecological design into a thriving business, you're in the right place! Stay tuned for a mini episo...

In this episode, Amelia Barker from Portland Edible Gardens shares insights into managing a long-standing, client-centered edible landscaping business, focusing on systems for soil fertility, client relationships, and team organization. Discover how they keep gardens thriving for over a decade and deliver high-quality service sustainably. Learn more about Amelia and Portland Edible Gardens: www.po...

In this episode of The Foodscaper Podcast, Andrew Millison , a permaculture educator and designer, shares his journey from landscape design to teaching permaculture at Oregon State University. He discusses the importance of community impact, the balance between personal expression and design in gardening, and the unique aspects of OSU's permaculture program. Millison also addresses common misu...

Most people think of landscaping as just planting things. In this episode of The Foodscaper Podcast, Gabriel Hahn, install manager and the 'drummer' of the Custom Foodscaping band, reveals to host Matt Lebon how water, flow, and integrity are the heartbeats of real garden design. If you want to turn water management into impactful, beautiful landscapes—and love staying chill through the ch...

In this episode of the Foodscaper podcast, host Matt Lebon and guest Shlomy Goldman discuss the journey of creating Regenerative Foodscapes in Rhode Island. Shlomy shares his unique path into foodscaping, the challenges of sourcing plants, the importance of subcontractors. The conversation also touches on innovative landscaping techniques, such as micro clover lawns, and the significance of commun...

In this episode of The Foodscaper Podcast, host Matt Lebon and guest Bailey Van Tassel discuss the evolution of kitchen gardening, the importance of defining one's niche in the gardening industry, and the strategies for building a successful gardening business. Bailey shares her journey from designing small kitchen gardens to managing large estate projects, emphasizing the significance of tran...

In this episode of the Foodscaper podcast, host Matt Lebon sits down with Daryl Lindsey, founder of YardFarmer, to discuss sustainable landscaping, rainwater harvesting, and building a supportive work culture. Daryl shares her journey from marketing to founding YardFarmer , emphasizing the importance of flexibility and ethical business practices. They delve into team management, profit sharing, an...

In this episode of The Foodscaper Podcast, Matt Lebon explores the concept of no-dig gardening with the world-renown Charles Dowding . A British gardener and environmentalist, Dowding has been a leading proponent of organic and no-dig gardening since 1982. He's written 12 books on the subject, including No Dig: Nurture Your Soil to Grow Better Vegetables With Low Effort . Charles shares how hi...

In this episode of The Foodscaper Podcast, Matt Lebon explores the world of edible landscaping with Alec LePoidevin , the owner of Fresh Roots in Wisconsin. Alec shares how his curiosity for healthy, organic living led him to creating Fresh Roots, and sharing his passion for landscaping , organic gardening , teaching , and sustainability with the community.   We delve into learning on the job, how...

What does it  really  take to build a strong, reliable, and motivated crew? Erik Ohlsen—founder of Permaculture Artisans and author of  The Regenerative Landscaper  —pulls back the curtain on what he's learned over two decades of growing his mission-driven company.  Whether you’re hiring your first employee or managing a growing team, listen to learn how to hire and retain the best people for the...

Are you considering a career change into ecological edible landscaping?  Today’s guest on The Foodscaper Podcast made a brave jump from a career in public policy to opening her own foodscaping company in Tacoma, Washington. I think you’ll be inspired by one of our community’s superstar entrepreneurs, Anna Markee, owner of Markee Ecological Garden Design. Anna shares her business origin story plus...

In this episode of the Foodscaper Podcast, we're joined by Amber McClain, the installation department head and project manager at Nashville Foodscapes.  From starting as a crew member to becoming a worker owner, Amber shares the nitty-gritty of managing installs during Tennessee's hot summers, keeping her crew motivated, and the strategies that ensure project success. Amber offers her perspective...

This week on The Foodscaper I sat down with Lauren Craig of Humble Hive Consulting — a designer and consultant who’s helping people reimagine their relationship with land through edible and ecological landscapes. Lauren has built a business that roots into her local Ohio community but also stretches far beyond her local geography. From remote design and social media to mentorship and storytelling,...

In this episode of the Foodscaper Podcast, Matt interviews Mike Bennett, co-owner and president of Backyard Eats, an edible landscaping business based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mike shares the inspiring story of how his partner Chris Mattingly founded the company in 2016 and how they aim to share the magic of homegrown food. They discuss the company's core services, which include design, buil...

In this episode of the Foodscaper Podcast, Matt speaks with Lucy Imbach, founder of Island Harvest, the only edible landscaping business on Nantucket Island. Lucy shares her background in environmentalism and food systems, and discusses her journey from farming to starting Island Harvest. The conversation covers the intricacies of building and maintaining an edible landscaping business in a unique...

In this episode of The Foodscaper Podcast, we explore the world of edible landscaping with Nate Fournier, the owner of Reimagined Roots. Nate shares how his background in engineering influenced his journey into permaculture and food scaping, starting from a dream in 2014 to establishing his business during the COVID-19 pandemic. We delve into the philosophy behind Reimagined Roots, their comprehen...

In this episode of the Foodscaper Podcast, staff member Lindsay Wolff interviews Matt Lebon, founder of Custom Foodscaping, about the various aspects of managing and growing a foodscaping business.  They delve into the importance of company culture, practical systems for daily operations, and effective communication tools like Slack and Clickup.  Matt discusses the challenges and strategies associ...

In this episode of the Foodscaper Podcast, host Matt Lebon welcomes Chia-Ming Ro, owner of Coastal Homestead. They discuss Chia-Ming's transition from a finance career to becoming a foodscaper, focusing on designing, installing, and maintaining food-producing landscapes. Chia-Ming shares her experiences, including how the pandemic influenced her career change, the benefits of food gardening, a...

In this episode of the Foodscaper Podcast, host Matt Lebon chats with Leslie Bennett, founder of Pine House Edible Gardens, about her journey from law to foodscaping. Leslie shares her experiences running a design-build-maintenance company in Oakland, California, and highlights the importance of creating integrated, meaningful landscapes. She discusses her vision for the Black Sanctuary Gardens pr...

In this episode of the Foodscaper Podcast, host Matt Leban talks with Andrew Tyrrell, owner and operator of Black Rock Garden Structures in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Andrew shares his journey from starting a landscaping company at twelve to specializing in custom enclosed cedar vegetable gardens. He highlights the significance of Northern White Cedar, his carpentry process, composting expertise, an...