The Landscaping Podcast

In this episode I speak with Matthew Sears from Rich Earth Landscapes, a landscape design and construction company based in Sydney. Matthew started in commercial landscaping before moving to residential, and a 3 month European holiday turned into a 9 year stay overseas, where he worked, among other places, in a high end residential landscaping company in London, also installing projects in Mallorc...

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on September 10, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays. In this episode I also answered questions such as: When starting a landscaping business, what are some hidden skills you wish you knew? What are your tips for rains days? What do yo...

In this episode I speak with Joel Smith from One Landscape Australia, a landscape construction company based in Canberra. This episode is a very relatable one, with many things Joel talks about being exactly what I, and many other people in the industry have been through. Joel has a great mindset when it comes to looking after his employees, and his goal is to do things very differently to how he...

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on September 3, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays. In this episode I also answered questions such as: How do you deal with clients changing the design/plans? What are some key tips for scaling to win back/free up time? What are the t...

In this episode I speak with Luke Smith from Silverstone Gardening, a maintenance company based in Western Australia. Luke is also the host of The Australian Lawn and Garden Podcast and is about 30 episodes into it and has some amazing episodes, particularly one of the first few where he explains how to work out what people should be charging. Luke has a great story about how he started in the ind...

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on August 28, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays. In this episode I also answered questions such as: What's your dream work vehicle and setup? Any advice on scaling up the business? What are the biggest trends for the coming seas...

In this episode I speak with Tim White from Cascade Landscapes, a landscape construction company based in Sydney. Tim talks about how he started in the industry, in commercial landscaping prior to starting his own business in residential landscaping at 23 and how he has grown and recently reduced the size of his business and his reasons why. He's got an obvious business mind so there's p...

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on August 20, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays. In this episode I also answered questions such as: What gaps do you experience between designers and landscapers? How many hours do you work on weekends, whether quoting or on the tool...

In this episode I speak with Will Bennett from Wilden Design, a Landscape Architecture firm based in Dubai. Will was born and studied in the UK before accepting a job in Dubai without ever having visited there. He worked for a firm for 6 years before going out on his own three years ago. Will has a natural, sustainable style to his landscapes and is pushing the increased use of natives within the...

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on August 13, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays. In this episode I also answered questions such as: Body management. What procedures do you put in place for longevity? How do you see the landscape design industry moving forward with...

In this episode I speak with Cam Lynch from Timeless Landscaping Projects, a construction company based in Ballarat. Cam has a great story about how he started in the industry not just working in maintenance, which we speak about as a great first step into the industry, but maintaining gardens designed by Paul Bangay and Edna Walling. Cam talks about the importance of giving all of his clients the...

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on August 6, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays.  In this episode I also answered questions such as: Do you have any plans on getting a second crew going? What is your definition of the landscape trade? What warranty do landscapers pr...

In this episode I speak with Curt O'Toole from Urban Elements Landscapes, a landscape construction company based in Geelong working on residential, commercial and government projects. Curt is in his 30th year in the industry so has plenty of knowledge he shares in this episode, and is probably the person who has taught me the most about how to run a landscaping business. He talks about why hi...

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on July 31, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday, sometimes Monday, at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays. In this weeks episode we also had Dan Foreman come on to talk about the upcoming Melbourne Home Show and the garden he's designed for that as well as some of the...

In this episode I speak with Phil Antcliff and Jack Hayes from Fifth Season Landscapes. A landscape design, construction and maintenance company based in Sydney. Phil and Jack were both running their own businesses before deciding to join forces and building their business up to where it is today at 20+ employees with a design office based in New Zealand as well. It's a great chat to hear abo...

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on July 24, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday, sometimes Monday, at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays. In this episode I answered questions such as: How many square meters of crazy paving are you getting through per day per guy? Get LinkedIn or not? Do you ever go plant...

In this episode I speak with Kate Seddon from Kate Seddon Landscape Design, a landscape design company based in Melbourne. Kate runs an extremely popular business, and it was awesome to hear her share her story about how she started in the industry, after having a career in sales and marketing prior. She spoke about the benefits of the flexibility in days when she started so she could work around...

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on July 16, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays. In this episode I answered questions such as: How much written detail should you put into a quote? Do you consider only those who have done an apprenticeship, true landscapers? Do you us...

In this episode I speak with Daniel Althaus of Althaus Landscape Designs. Daniel runs his design business based out of Ballarat but works in Melbourne and around Victoria, creating predominantly natural, native habitat gardens. It was great to talk to Daniel who is early in his business to find out how he started and some of the things he's doing to accelerate the growth and success of his bu...

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on July 9, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays. In this episode I answered questions such as: Do you own or rent your business premises? What are a few popular computer programs to draw designs? If money was no object, what tools or eq...

In this episode I speak with Dan Knight from Knight Landscapes, and landscape construction company based in Geelong. Dan started out in the commercial side of landscaping, so it was great to talk to him about the benefits of that, particularly about their use of subcontractors for the commercial projects and how Dan then learnt off of them and used those skills for his residential projects. You ca...

This episode is a replay of episode 18 from almost two years ago. We didn't have enough questions for a Q and A episode this week, so I'm replaying this amazing chat which didn't have as many listens as it should have! In this episode I speak with John Hall from Cactus Country. Cactus Country is a Australia's largest Cactus garden situated near the Murray River bordering Victor...

In this episode I speak with Craig Clarke from Total Garden Management, a garden maintenance company based in Melbourne. Craig started in the industry by mowing lawns when he was about 8, and hasn't left in more than 30 years. He worked for Semken Landscaping and Robert Boyle in his first 10 or so years in the industry so had a couple of great companies to learn from prior to going out on his...

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on June 25, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released as a podcast on Thursdays. In this episode I answered questions such as: What factors go into choosing to lay on a mortar or adhesive bed when paving? How much money should be put aside for a rainy day? Did Ashley...

In this episode, Peter Donegan from Peter Donegan Garden Design takes over as the host and interviews me! Peter asks a lot more thoughtful questions than I do so hopefully it's not only entertaining, but there's also something valuable to take away from out chat. You can follow Peter on Instagram @peterdonegan You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our...