The Front Garden

By LV Member - Chris Weiss

Landscaping Victoria brings you the latest in landscaping news, trends, and ideas by sharing some stories from people within the industry to help make your landscaping career a little easier.

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5

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FAQs about The Front Garden:

How many episodes does The Front Garden have?

The podcast currently has 110 episodes available.

The Front Garden episodes:

April 30, 2025Branding Beyond the Build with Samantha Tait | The Front Garden EP120
In this episode…
Our host, Chris Weiss, chats with brand strategist and founder of BRND, Samantha Tait, about how landscaping businesses can harness the power of brand to stand out in a crowded market.
Sam shares her journey from PE teacher to brand innovator, how storytelling outshines advertising, and why niching is more important than ever.
They explore simple but powerful strategies for landscaping businesses to strengthen their brand presence without needing big marketing budgets. These include using customer feedback, showcasing behind-the-scenes content, and leveraging AI tools correctly.
Plus, a sneak peek of what Sam will be covering at the LV Members' Breakfast at The Landscape Show!
Key Takeaways:
Why "word of mouth" is great — but brand presence is what makes it stick.
The importance of niche positioning and knowing your brand personality.
Storytelling is the real secret to standing out and connecting with customers.
Hyperlocal marketing, behind-the-scenes content, and authentic digital engagement are key trends for trades.
How landscaping businesses can use AI without losing their human touch.
Why customer feedback is your best untapped brand asset.
Easy starting points for busy business owners to build brand momentum.
Want to see Sam live? She's joining us on stage at our exclusive LV Members' Breakfast before The Landscape Show. Visit thelandscapeshow.com.au for more information and tickets.

🔔 Follow The Front Garden so you don’t miss any future episodes.

👁️‍🗨️ About Samantha Tait
Website: thinktanksocial.com.au
Facebook: SamanthaJayneTait
Instagram: @samanthatait_au
LinkedIn: Samantha Tait, BRND Group, TTS Digital
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Coolabah Turf. Visit Victoria’s premium instant turf supplier at coolturf.com.au
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36min
April 17, 2025Shaping the Future of Landscaping with Caitlin Sanderson & Jessica Whatnall | The Front Garden EP119
In this episode…
Host Chris Weiss chats with the 2024 Victorian Landscape Industry Awards Apprentices of the Year—Caitlin Sanderson (Horticulture, Parks & Gardens) and Jessica Whatnall (Landscape Construction)—about their unique journeys into the landscaping industry, their career aspirations, and the lessons they’ve learned on site and at TAFE.
From pushing barrows of concrete to designing planter boxes for public spaces, Caitlin and Jess share how they found their passion in landscaping, coming from different backgrounds but with a shared determination to grow.
In this inspiring episode, Caitlin and Jess open up about navigating the challenges of being women in a traditionally male-dominated trade, the value of supportive mentors, and how hands-on experience is shaping their future.
Key takeaways:
The real value of apprenticeships: learning by doing (and sometimes failing)
Why plant knowledge is just as powerful as power tools
How the industry is becoming more inclusive and supportive for women
The power of good advice, good teams, and giving things a go
Insight into career progression in both council and private landscaping work
Whether you’re an apprentice, mentor, or industry leader, this episode is a reminder of why supporting the next generation matters—and what it looks like when young professionals thrive.

🔔 Follow The Front Garden For More Landscaping Industry Insights

👁️‍🗨️ About Caitlin Sanderson and Jessica Whatnall
- Website: Caitlin Sanderson Awards Profile – Landscaping Victoria
- Website: Jessica Whatnall Awards Profile – Landscaping Victoria
- LinkedIn: @Manningham Council and @Mark Gabell And Associates
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Coolabah Turf. Visit Victoria’s premium instant turf supplier at coolturf.com.au
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35min
April 03, 2025Growing a Landscaping Business with Purpose with Peter Shaw | The Front Garden EP118
In this episode…
Chris Weiss is joined by Peter Shaw—founder and creative director of Ocean Road Landscaping and author of Soulscapes: Connecting Gardens to Landscapes, for an honest and insightful conversation about building a career, a business, and a life rooted in the coastal environment of Anglesea.
With over 30 years in the industry, Peter shares the evolution of Ocean Road Landscaping from a humble ute-based operation into a thriving design, construction, and maintenance business with nearly 30 staff.
He opens up about the importance of designing gardens that belong to their place, leading with values, and finding harmony between work and life.
From staff retention to cash flow forecasting, Peter offers practical advice for landscaping professionals looking to build a sustainable business.
Key takeaways:
The value of creating gardens that are deeply connected to their environment
How Peter and Simone grew Ocean Road Landscaping organically with a clear focus on values and community
Why strong leadership and trusting your team are crucial for long-term business success
Tips on setting sustainable hourly rates and maintaining financial forecasting
The importance of listening to clients and building lasting relationships across design, construction, and maintenance
The beauty and challenges of working in coastal and Otway landscapes
Peter’s dream project, and what he might be doing if he weren’t landscaping

🔔 Follow The Front Garden For More Landscaping Industry Insights

👁️‍🗨️ About Peter Shaw
Website: www.orl.com.au
Ocean Road Landscaping Video Gallery
Facebook: Ocean Road Landscaping
Instagram @oceanroadlandscaping
LinkedIn: Peter Shaw
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Coolabah Turf. Visit Victoria’s premium instant turf supplier at coolturf.com.au
...more
38min
March 19, 2025Mastering Coastal Landscapes with Jane Jones | The Front Garden EP114
In this episode…
Chris chats with Jane Jones from Jane Jones Landscapes, winner of the 2024 Landscape of the Year and Softscape of the Year awards for her spectacular Portsea Project.
Jane shares the journey behind her five-year project, where collaboration, site-specific design, and ongoing maintenance were key to success.
She discusses the evolution of her design philosophy, the challenges of working in a coastal environment, and why strong client relationships make all the difference.
🔔 Follow The Front Garden for More Landscaping Industry Insights

👁️‍🗨️ About Jane Jones
Website: jjl.com.au
Project Portfolio
Facebook: Jane Jones Landscapes
Instagram: @janejoneslandscapes
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Coolabah Turf. Visit Victoria’s premium instant turf supplier at coolturf.com.au
...more
34min
March 05, 2025Building Pools, Building Business with Scott Tymkin | The Front Garden EP116
In this episode…
Chris chats with Scott Tymkin, Director of Enkipools. Scott shares his journey from landscaping to leading a high-end pool construction business.
He delves into industry challenges, the importance of process-driven operations, financial planning, and trends shaping the future of pool building.
Key Takeaways
The early years working with Ian Barker and the transition to Ian Barker & Associates.
The founding of Enki Pools and the shift from landscaping to a dedicated pool business.
Navigating industry challenges, including managing large projects, working with builders, and ensuring cash flow stability. Reflections on business growth, lessons learned, and the importance of adaptability in a changing industry.

➕ Hit The Follow Button So You Don’t Miss Our Future Episodes
✍️ Review our show on Apple Podcasts

👁️‍🗨️ About Scott Tymkin
Website: www.enkipools.com.au
Portfolio: www.enkipools.com.au/pool-portfolio/
Facebook: @enkipools
Instagram: @enkipools

Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Coolabah Turf. Visit Victoria’s premium instant turf supplier at coolturf.com.au
...more
42min
February 20, 2025 Landscaping Smarter, Not Harder with Simon Rosa | The Front Garden EP115
In this episode…
Chris is joined by Simon Rosa from Simon Rosa Landscaping. He shares his journey from landscaping apprentice to business owner, tackling everything from regional growth to staffing challenges and large-scale project management.
He discusses the shift towards high-end landscaping in regional Victoria and the importance of balancing design, construction, and maintenance to deliver top-tier results.
➕ Hit The Follow Button So You Don’t Miss Our Future Episodes
✍️ Review our show on Apple Podcasts
👁️‍🗨️ About Simon Rosa
Website: www.simonrosalandscaping.com
Facebook: Simon Rosa Landscaping
Instagram: @simonrosalandscaping
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Coolabah Turf. Visit Victoria’s premium instant turf supplier at coolturf.com.au
...more
39min
February 08, 2025Plants with Purpose: Urban Greening with Claire Farrell | The Front Garden EP114
In this episode…
Chris Weiss sits down with Associate Professor Claire Farrell, Director of the Burnley Campus at The University of Melbourne, to explore the role of plants in solving urban challenges.
Claire shares her journey from studying plant ecology and dryland salinity to pioneering research in green infrastructure, green roofs, and low-maintenance plantings.

Key takeaways:
Green infrastructure is critical for urban sustainability, providing cooling, biodiversity, and stormwater management.
The Woody Meadow Project replaces monocultures with diverse, resilient plantings designed for minimal maintenance.
Green roofs in Melbourne require different plants and substrates compared to Europe, with succulents thriving in dry conditions.
Rain gardens filter pollutants, manage stormwater, and improve urban landscapes, though plant selection is key.
Claire envisions Burnley Campus as a hub for horticulture, offering training, research, and community engagement.
Tune in for expert insights on designing resilient landscapes, the future of urban greening, and how innovative planting strategies can transform our cities.

🔔 If you love landscaping as much as we do, hit the Follow button to subscribe for more landscaping industry insights. If you are enjoying The Front Garden podcast, we would love it if you could give us a rating and leave a review on your podcast app. It helps us know what you like so we can keep producing great landscaping content.

👁️‍🗨️ About Associate Professor Claire Farrell
Website: The University of Melbourne
Resource: Google Scholar
Instagram @plantscienceart
LinkedIn @Claire Farrell

Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Coolabah Turf. Visit Victoria’s premium instant turf supplier at coolturf.com.au
...more
35min
December 04, 2024The Future of Horticulture with Matt Mansfield | The Front Garden EP113
In this episode…
Chris Weiss sits down with Matt Mansfield to explore the cutting-edge world of plant propagation and the future of horticulture. From Mansfield Propagation Nurseries’ 70+ year history to their state-of-the-art tissue culture lab and automation technologies, Matt shares insights into managing a large-scale nursery business.
This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping the landscaping and nursery industries. It addresses the disconnect between landscapers and horticulture and the need for better collaboration in the supply chain.
🔔 Hit the ‘follow’ button so you don’t miss out on our future content.

👁️‍🗨️ About Matt Mansfield
Website http://mansfields.net.au/
Resource Mansfields Propagation Nursery Stock List
Facebook @mansfieldspropagationnursery
Instagram @mansfieldspropagationnursery
LinkedIn Matt Mansfield & Mansfields Propagation Nursery
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Coolabah Turf. Visit Victoria’s premium instant turf supplier at coolturf.com.au
...more
37min
November 21, 2024From Apprenticeship to Thriving Business Owner: Growing a Career in Horticulture with Cameron Hainsworth | The Front Garden Podcast EP 112
In this episode…
Chris Weiss is back and sits down with Cameron Hainsworth of Abcam Horticulture to explore his journey from casually working in nurseries to founding a thriving horticultural business.
Cam shares insights on building a solid foundation in horticulture through apprenticeship and industry experience, the evolution of Abcam’s unique service packages, and the importance of aligning business growth with personal values.
He also highlights the role of mentorship, client relationships, and his participation in industry awards and show gardens. Gain valuable perspectives on tailoring services to client needs, managing work-life balance, and fostering long-term business sustainability in the landscaping industry.
🔔 Hit ‘follow’ on your favourite podcast app so you don’t miss any future landscaping content.
👁️‍🗨️ About Cameron Hainsworth
Website https://www.abcamhorticulture.com
Facebook @abcam.horticulture
Instagram @abcamhorticulture

Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Coolabah Turf. Visit Victoria’s premium instant turf supplier at coolturf.com.au
...more
36min
November 07, 2024From Graphic Design to Garden Design: Creativity, Client Relationships, and Building a Thriving Solo Business with Ros McCully | The Front Garden EP 111
Landscape designer Ros McCully shares her career journey from graphic design to successful landscape design with stand-in host Ritchie Hinton. Ros offers insights into balancing creativity, client collaboration, and sustainable practices. She highlights the importance of industry connections and adapting plant choices to fit clients’ needs and Victoria’s climate.
🔔 Subscribe for More Landscaping Industry Insights
👁️‍🗨️ About Ros McCully
Website www.rosmccullygardens.com.au
Facebook Ros McCully Garden Designs
Instagram @rosmccullygardens
LinkedIn Ros McCully
Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!
The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Coolabah Turf. Visit Victoria’s premium instant turf supplier at coolturf.com.au
...more
43min

FAQs about The Front Garden:

How many episodes does The Front Garden have?

The podcast currently has 110 episodes available.

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