The Front Garden

In this episode… Chris chats with Michael Chapple from Urbane Landscape Construction, who shares his insights on growing a successful landscape business. Michael emphasises the importance of building a trusted team and offering comprehensive services.  He discusses industry challenges, innovative techniques, and plans for Urbane, highlighting the value of professional development and client educat...

In this episode… Chris chats with experienced landscape designer Paul Pritchard, who shares insights on transitioning from construction to landscape design and his recent win at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS).  He emphasises the importance of horticultural knowledge in landscaping and discusses industry trends towards sustainability and new materials.  🔔 Subscribe Fo...

After four years, co-host Tyson Owen bids farewell to Chris Weiss and The Front Garden podcast, reflecting on the podcast’s history, memorable moments, challenges faced, and lessons learned.  Chris and Tyson look back on the podcast's journey from a COVID-era connection tool to a valuable industry resource and a good yarn, emphasising perseverance, valuing yourself, and the importance of shar...

In this episode… Chris & Tyson chat with landscaper Matt James and designer Nadia Cole about their experience creating a show garden for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.  They discuss the challenges, rewards, and lessons learned from collaborating on a high-profile project with tight deadlines and logistical hurdles.   🔔 Subscribe For More Landscaping Industry Insights  👁️‍...

Chris & Tyson chat with Ken Bartlett from Ace Contractors Group. Ken digs into the complexities of commercial landscaping, including working with major builders, extensive safety procedures, and challenges like tight budgets and workforce diversity. The episode provides insight into how large-scale landscaping projects differ from residential work, highlighting the importance of relationships,...

In this episode… Chris & Tyson chat with Emmaline Bowman from STEM Landscape Architecture & Design and Liam Riley from ID Landscaping Design & Construction.  They discuss their experiences creating award-winning show gardens together at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS), highlighting the challenges, rewards, and lessons learned from participating in the event...

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 oper...

In this episode… Ross Anderson, the New Equipment Business Manager at William Adams CAT, joins Chris and Tyson to share his story or leaving Australia as a landscaper before returning several years later with experience running the state member association and getting involved in the heavy machinery industry. He provides insights into the landscaping industry's challenges, the role of associa...

Chris & Tyson chat to Chris Defina (Head of Sales) & Marc Jarvis (Head of Marketing) from Arborgreen (Presenting Partner of The Landscape Show) in the latest episode of The Front Garden.  Arborgreen is an Australian, family-owned and run business. They sell products and materials for tree establishment and care. If the right product doesn’t exist they will invent it!  They are passionate a...

Join hosts Chris and Tyson as they chat with landscape architecture expert Nathan Burkett.   From his beginnings in the industry to his shift from commercial to residential landscapes, Nathan shares his insights and experiences. Discover how the mentorship and guidance from Robert Boyle, shaped his career. Hear about Nathan's award-winning show garden at MIFGS and gain valuable insights into...

Paul Bangay is Australia’s most sought-after garden designer, with close to forty years’ experience. Known for his mastery of scale, balance, form and colour, Paul draws on his lifelong study of the natural and classical worlds to create gardens around the globe. EPISODE LINKS: Paul Bangay Garden Design - https://www.paulbangay.com/ Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a te...

Join hosts Chris and Tyson as they explore the world of sustainability with Simon, President of Sustainable Gardening Australia and Principal of Green Change Solutions. Discover how Simon's organization nurtures biodiversity, promote local food production, and drive sustainability. EPISODE LINKS: Sustainable Gardens Australia - https://www.sgaonline.org.au/ TFG Sponsor: MRL Media - https://mr...

Join hosts Chris and Tyson as they tackle the crucial topic of sun safety in Australia, the melanoma capital of the world. Justine Osborne, who is the Advocacy & Policy Manager of the SunSmart program at Cancer Council Victoria, shares essential tips to staying sun smart and challenges common misconceptions. Tyson also opens up about his own melanoma scare, emphasizing the urgency of sun prote...

Hear from Landscaping Victoria’s new CEO, Ritchie Hinton, as he discusses a wide range of topics with our brilliant hosts, Chris & Tyson. As well as learning about Ritchie’s professional background and career to date (spoiler alert – he’s pretty sporty!), he shares his first impressions of LV, the broader landscaping industry and the organisation’s vision for the future. Join us for this unmis...

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 r...

Join hosts Chris and Tyson as they explore the vibrant world of landscape design with guest speaker Scott Leung. From surveying to discovering a love for horticulture, Scott shares his journey, including landing his first job in the industry with Rick Eckersley and the mentorship experience. Explore the dynamic Eckersley office, where a team of six designers handle diverse projects, alongside thei...

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 las...

Chris and Tyson review the year that was, both from an industry and podcasting perspective. They then gaze into their crystal ball to speculate on 2024 and how that will shape up for the industry, as well as answer questions from listeners received via our SpeakPipe messaging service!  You too can pose a question for the lads to answer, or make a suggestion for a guest you'd like to hear from...

An insightful episode as where we sit down with Paul Leesment, the visionary behind Supreme Green, who shares his remarkable journey spanning over 21 years in the landscaping industry. Discover how, after a decade of experience, Paul identified a unique niche in new home landscaping. Focused on providing clients with a comprehensive solution, Supreme Green became a one-stop-shop for post-builder s...

In this episode, hosts Chris and Tyson sit down with the talented Anthony Scott, delving into his journey from landscape construction to design. Anthony shares insights on avoiding undervaluation as a designer and emphasizes the importance of strategic pricing. Tune in as he reflects on judging at the 2023 Industry Awards, highlighting the growth he's witnessed in businesses that participate...

A dedicated episode talking to Rob Schaasberg from Builders Edge Consulting about every aspect of building registration, permits and more. Take a deep dive into the regulations that drive building and construction in Victoria and get a clear understanding as to your obligations as a structural landscaper. LVML also offer listeners the chance to watch a webinar with Rob recorded recently - see Epis...

Chris & Tyson chat with some of the Boutique Garden Finalists for 2024 who will be competing for glory at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.  Paul Pritchard, Daniel Althaus, Sam Collie and Craig McLachlan share their past encounters with show gardens, from being student garden participants to having participated at Chelsea, and what they are looking forward to when they get...

As a second generation family-business owner, Kate originally came from the travel industry to help her father for a small time, but ended up staying!  Then she also brought her engineer husband in for a short period, and he's still there to this day too, as is her brother, parents and her parents who originally started Compass Pools.  Some 26 years later, Kate says its exciting and emotional...

Working in a partnership with her landscaper husband, Sam, Emily speaks candidly about the pressures of business in general, but with the added layer of balancing work and life when there is a clear cross-over. Touching on how to take a family holiday whilst leaving procedures in place, wills, insurances... all the un-sexy but vitally important information is discussed. Emily chats about what work...

Loving his job so much that he'd do it for free, (well, almost!), Kallee Sas built his business through Covid and specialises in irrigation installations.  Father of four boys under 4yo and former Pro Wrestler, Kallee has taken irrigation installation to the next level. Starting as a landscaper but discovering irrigation along the way, he is a passionate  business operator always looking for...