Esther William (Aitken)

The Messed Up Gardener

Leisure EN ↓ 200 episodes

Hello and Welcome to The Messed Up Gardener. This podcast covers all areas of gardening from a beginner, intermediate to advanced level. It covers gardening on any budget, any space, any place. There are no rules when it comes to me, and my gardens and I do it messy. There is nothing more fun than getting your hands dirty and creating that space that gives you joy and abundance. This podcast will give tips, tricks, hacks and methodology’s to make any space work from the tiny indoor garden to the rolling meadows with even a dash of bees, mushrooms and hydroponics thrown in. I have been a hortic...

Author

Esther William (Aitken)

Category

Leisure

Latest episode

Jul 11, 2026

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Episodes

Ep 24 – The Garden of Lies: Uncovering the Truth behind Organic Gardening Myths 15.04.2023

Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.  In today’s episode I work through debunking 11 organic gardening myths, I had so much fun researching this topic which stemmed from a conversation I had with a friend regarding gardening styles and a comment she made as to how she can’t do organic gardening because it was just too expensive, and she didn’t have the space to grow organic...

Ep 23 – Bulb Boosters: Tips for Growing Beautiful Bulb Blooms No Matter the Season 08.04.2023

Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. In today’s episode I go through the steps to growing bulbs successfully no matter what the season is and ensuring that your bulb gardens stay healthy and produce blooms season after season.  Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.    As always Gardening can be done in any space in any place and on any budget.   Freebies DM me...

Ep 22 – The Ultimate Autumn Gardening Checklist:10 Key Chores You Can’t Skip. 01.04.2023

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener.   In today’s episode I go through 10 chores that I myself utilize in my garden heading into Autumn to maximize my gardens growing potential and make my life way easier going into spring.   Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.    As always Gardening can be done in any space in any place and on any budget.   Freebies DM me fo...

Ep 21 – Green Thumbs Up for these 6 Tips to Maximize Your Garden's Growing Potential 25.03.2023

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener. In today’s episode I go through 6 tips that I myself utilize in my garden to maximize my gardens growing potential. Including covering edible landscapes, square foot gardening and cold frames and yes, this time I did remember to include the plant of the week :-)  I apologize for the occasional sniffle as I have a nasty bout of hay fever....

Ep20 -Exploring The Fascinating World of Beekeeping in an Interview with Judy Knipmeijer 18.03.2023

Hi and Welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener. In today’s episode I have had the absolute privilege and pleasure of interviewing my beekeeping mentor and Friend Judy Knipmeijer. Judy has been beekeeping for many years and has taught many students like myself the Art of Beekeeping and in this interview we go deep into all aspects of the bee keeping world. Judy’s Instagram handle if yo...

Ep19 – 10 Highly Effective Ways to Grow Plants on a Budget. 11.03.2023

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener. In today’s episode with the way the economy has been heading spending the big bucks in the garden is a thing of the past and I have been growing my gardens on a budget for quite some time. In this episode I cover 10 ways I have effectively and successfully been able to stay productive in my gardens.   I also have a free 12 step guide to...

Ep18 – A 12 Step Guide to Creating Healthy Soils in your garden. 04.03.2023

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener. In today’s episode I’m answering one of the most asked questions I have had over my career in horticulture, and I have attempted to summarise it in 12 simple steps. I have also put it in a PDF format if you want to grab that please email me at the themessedupgardener@gmail.com or flick me a DM and I will send it through to you. As always...

Ep17 – The Mental health benefits from working in your garden will blow you away. 25.02.2023

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener. In today’s episode my energy is on Fire the week has been all sunshine and I take you through some of the grounding, bush bathing, meditative energy that you absorb from your garden that benefits your energy flowing into your day to day.    As always Gardening can be done in any space in any place and on any budget.   DM me for my Nastur...

Ep16 – Understanding Your Gardens Love Language. 18.02.2023

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener. In today’s episode I take you through a journey of my garden and its love language – No I’m not crazy - don’t send the men in white coats my way just yet. All vegetation has a language, and it can express itself in many ways. Have a listen and see or in this case hear for yourself and the next time you are in the garden really look at wh...

Ep15 – 3 Sexy flowers to grow for your valentine’s dried floral bouquet that they can treasure for a really long time. 11.02.2023

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener. In today’s episode we explore my pick for the top 3 flowers that make the perfect dried flower that lasts for a really long time in dried flower arrangements. These three can be used for weddings, birthdays, funerals, crafts, gifts and everything in between.   DM me for my Nasturtium Pesto recipe.   As always Gardening can be done in any...

Ep14 – Top 5 herbs with healthy superpowers that should be an essential in all households. 04.02.2023

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener. In today’s episode we explore my pick for the top 5 herbs that cover a range of superpowers that legitimately should be used on a daily basis for not only amazing flavours but also their incredible health benefits.  DM me for my Nasturtium Pesto recipe.   As always Gardening can be done in any space in any place and on any budget.   Come...

Ep13 - Wet weather garden fails & how to combat it. 28.01.2023

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener. In today’s episode we explore how to deal with wet weather destroying your garden, vegetation, harvests and the aftermath of pests and diseases that are sure to follow.  My sympathies to the families experiencing the flooding in Auckland NZ.   DM me for my Nasturtium Pesto recipe.   As always Gardening can be done in any space in any pla...

Ep12 - Simple planting methods & techniques for pots, planters & in the garden. 21.01.2023

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener. In today’s episode we explore how to plant into pots, planters, and the garden without damaging the root systems and by taking just that little bit of extra effort it reduces the stress on the plant itself & as a result it increases its survival rate.       DM me for my Nasturtium Pesto recipe.   As always Gardening can be done in an...

Ep11 – 8 Companion plants that are Rockstar's in the garden. 14.01.2023

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener In today’s episode We explore what companion planting is and how it is beneficial to you in the garden and how utilising companion planting can keep the costs down both environmentally and dollar wise.   DM me for my Nasturtium Pesto recipe.   As always Gardening can be done in any space in any place and on any budget.   Come visit me at...

Ep10 – 5 Steps to Creating an Abundant Sustainable Garden 07.01.2023

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener In today’s episode We explore 5 steps to creating an abundant Sustainable Garden. By looking at the key steps in the process from planning through to harvest and diving into what’s your season & have you missed your planting window?   DM me for my Nasturtium Pesto recipe.   As always Gardening can be done in any space in any place and...

Ep9 - The Secret to Small Space Continuous Harvests on a Budget. 31.12.2022

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener in today’s episode We explore ways to plan your garden spaces to maximise your harvestable output with little to no wastage and on a budget.    DM me for my Nasturtium Pesto recipe.   As always Gardening can be done in any space in any place and on any budget.   Come visit me at the @themessedupgardener on Instagram and TikTok and DM me a...

Ep8 – Maximise your indoor growth by utilizing any of these 6 planting vessels. 24.12.2022

 Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener in today’s episode We explore 6 different types of indoor planting containers, from hanging baskets to window boxes and more. Being self sufficient is so important these days and as indoor space is often limited - it is important to get the planters just right to maximize the growth output which translates to better harvests.    As alway...

Ep7 – All things Christmas tree, Living decorations, Pine sap clean-up & Pet deterrent during the silly season. 17.12.2022

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener in today’s episode we explore how to:  1) Look after and get the best value out of your Christmas tree,  2) Look after living decorations,  3) How to get rid of pine sap and  4) How to stop your pets from sniffing around the base of your Christmas tree.  I absolutely love this topic and I hope it resonates with you.  As always Gardening c...

Ep6 – To Mulch or not to Mulch that is the question. What? When? Why and How. 10.12.2022

Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener in today’s episode I will take you on mulching journey looking at what to use and when and how to get the best results. There are so many different types of mulch out there and even in a small space mulching is really important. I absolutely love this topic and I hope it resonates with you.  As always Gardening can be done in any space in...

Ep5 – The Secret (Warfare) Life of your Garden. 03.12.2022

The garden can look serene, peaceful even but it’s a minefield of strategy’s, evolution and working in cohorts with each other to outcompete and in some cases even destroy the competition. In this episode I go into depth and look at what makes some of our most notorious plants / plant pests so successful. You will never look at a plant the same way again.   Come visit me at the @themessedupgardene...

Ep4 – Back to gardening basics for newbies and a refresher for the more advanced. 26.11.2022

In this episode I go back to the basics – what it looked like for me growing up and some indoor and outdoor plants that are real drama queens that have a flare for the dramatics that can teach you a lot about how much and when to water and when they are hungry. I share the simple trick to keeping plants moist in ceramic pots and what yogurt and moss have in common. The two books I mentioned in the...

Ep3 – The importance of layering your gardens and no we are not talking about soils. 19.11.2022

The most productive way they say in the building industry for land use is when building on a plot of land is to go up rather then out and in your own gardens or planters that really is the case. In this episode I walk you through one of my favourite gardens that produces not only food for my daughter and I but also the creation of both potential Christmas gifts and insect microclimates.  Its easy...

Ep2 – If you have these 7 key garden tools then your set to manage any garden. 12.11.2022

Garden tools are often neglected and thrown into the garden shed without a second thought or bought on the cheap. I go into detail as to why its important to look after your garden tools and why its important to buy quality. I go into detail regarding the 7 key tools I use in my garden and how I make sure they last the distance. Come visit me at the #themessedupgardener on Instagram and DM me any...

Ep1 – Take the time to get to know your gardening spaces regardless of if its outside or inside. 05.11.2022

In today’s episode I go into depth regarding the environment and love language of establishing a garden growing space. I am a firm believer of being able to grow in any space and in any place and on any budget while getting the best out of the space with full abundance and in some cases being able to maximize the area is to simply stop and let the area talk to you first and let the environment tel...

Hello and Welcome to The Messed Up Gardener 01.11.2022

Hello and Welcome to The Messed Up Gardener. This podcast covers all areas of gardening from a beginner, intermediate to advanced level. It covers gardening on any budget, any space, any place. There are no rules when it comes to me, and my gardens and I do it messy. There is nothing more fun than getting your hands dirty and creating that space that gives you joy and abundance. This podcast will...

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