The Front Garden

Many listeners ask Chris and Tyson to address business issues and in this episode we hear from one of the most experienced business operators we know. Pat Kasso, from Rocks Plus, started in the corporate sector as an accountant, and after decades developing his craft as an inspirational CEO he shares his knowledge and experience on The Front Garden  as to how businesses can survive and thrive  in...

Clint Adams is a wearer of many hats. Not only does he manage 3 businesses in South Australia (Waterpro, Railways and Lawnhub), but he is also the President of Master Landscapers South Australia (MLSA) and a regular podcaster!  Join Chris and Tyson as they uncover his back story; where he came from and his passion for making change, not only in the Landscaping Industry but for businesses, business...

 In this episode, Chris & Tyson talk to Kirsten Raynor of Tree Logic.  Her career in the Australian arboricultural industry is a far cry from medieval studies at University! She provides some pearls of wisdom around managing issues such as soil compaction and tree protection.  EPISODE LINKS: Treelogix - https://www.treelogic.com.au  Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.a...

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 (lcg...

In this episode, Chris & Tyson talk to Alistair Kirkpatrick from Stratis Landscape Architecture about his career to date and his passion for creating gardens at MIFGS designed to educate visitors on environmental concerns such as the impact of using plastics in our environment.  EPISODE LINKS: Stratis Landscape Architecture - https:// www.stratisla.com Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.bota...

In this episode, Brad Andrews (Brad Andrews Landscaping) & Zac Connell (Evergreen Garden Landscape Solutions) talk to Chris & Tyson about the challenges & rewards of running landscaping businesses in regional Victoria. EPISODE LINKS: Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/ Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/ Become a...

With over 30 years’ experience in the turf industry, Bruce is a Senior Agronomist with the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association.  Bruce takes Chris and Tyson on a journey from his beginnings as an apprentice at Patterson River Golf Club in the mid-1980s, a turf management lecturer at Chisholm Institute of TAFE where he taught the Certificate II and III Sports Turf Management and Parks and G...

From pubs to pools, Chris Samartzis, CEO of Master Pool Builders Association Australia (MPBAA ), has a long history working in, and supporting small businesses. Chris sits down with The Front Garden this week to talk about the evolution of the Master Pool Builders Association Australia (MPBAA ), how it rebranded from SPASA Victoria, the importance of good governance, and the work currently being d...

Could a business mentor be the secret to success? This week Chris and Tyson discuss the benefits of business mentoring with Ian Barker of Ian Barker Gardens, and David Bascombe of Green Exteriors. When David decided it was time for a new challenge, he first discussed it with his then-employer, Ian. With Ian's encouragement and mentorship, David launched his own landscaping construction busine...

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...

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...

Kicking off Season 6 is an interview with Irish landscape designer, Peter Donegan.  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...

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...

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...

After 50 years in the industry, Nic van Diemen knows a thing or two about landscaping.  He catches up with Chris and Tyson this week to discuss how he started out in the industry, how he developed his expertise in segmental paving, and how the industry has evolved since he first started out. EPISODE LINKS: Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/ Landscaping Victoria Master...

Chris and Tyson speak with Jayden Weatherley of Greener Visions Landscapes. Starting his career with a Parks and Garden apprenticeship, Jayden branched out into business, forming Greener Visions with his longtime mate, Daniel Henderson in 2011.  Jayden discusses the importance of being across your finances, construction scheduling and the role technology plays in keeping his business running smoot...

Chris and Tyson speak with Simon Buchanan of Landart Landscape Design & Construction. After pivoting from graphic design to landscaping after Year 12, Simon discusses how he got his start with Scott Wynd, his experience in competitive show garden builds,  and how he's expanded his pipeline of landscaping projects through his pool business, Striking Pools. EPISODE LINKS: Landart Landscape...

Chris and Tyson speak with Scott Wynd of TLC Pools and MINT Design about his start in the landcaping industry, his extensive experience building show gardens - both in Australia, and overseas at the Chelsea Garden Show  - his involvement at MINT Design, and his decision to focus his career on high-end pool construction. EPISODE LINKS: TLC Pools - https://www.tlcpools.com.au/ MINT Design - https://...

A bumper episode recorded live at The Landscape Show 2022! Chris and Tyson kick off the session with Jason Banks from This Is A Conversation Starter (TIACS). They discuss how TIACS was founded by the founders of social enterprise, Trademutt, and how the initiative is providing mental health support to tradies and their families across Australia. They also chat with Russ Sweetman of Maroondah Lands...

Chris and Tyson chat with industry stalwart and 'reformed landscaper' Brian Rankin about his introduction to landscaping  42 years ago, how he started his own business, his decision to sell his share of the business in 2014, and his new career working in the pool industry.  Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message! Entries are now open for the 2026 Vict...

John Rayner takes us inside his 40+ year career and takes listeners through his career, what he learnt, why he became a teacher, and of course about the development of the wildly popular Burnley Plant Guide, previously an exclusive tool for students, which is now available to all experts in horticulture and landscaping. The culmination of decades of work by many experts, you can access all the inf...

Tyson and Chris chat with LV CEO, Megan Flower, about her background, her job as CEO, the role of the Association, and how members can get the most out of their LV membership. Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message! Entries are now open for the 2026 Victorian Landscape Industry Awards. Showcase your work, build your credibility, and celebrate your team’s achiev...

Ben Beaumont, from Vectorworks Australia, and Kate Smalley, from Small Spaces Garden Design, talk about how 3D design software Vectorworks can be used in landscaping. Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message! Entries are now open for the 2026 Victorian Landscape Industry Awards. Showcase your work, build your credibility, and celebrate your team’s achievements. E...

In this episode, Chris and Tyson catch up with Mike Jansz, founder of MJLC Landscapes, to discuss how he established, grew, and ultimately transitioned out of his successful landscaping business.  In short, Jansz took his chance, put on his bog boy pants, used plants, and did a happy dance! Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message! Entries are now open for the 20...

Emma Permezel, of Coolabah Landscapes, discusses the ins and outs of Council planning applications, and managing the red tape - and client expectations - for pool and landscape construction projects. Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message! Entries are now open for the 2026 Victorian Landscape Industry Awards. Showcase your work, build your credibility, and cele...