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 in an association gave her valuable insights into the needs of small businesses, and in 2017 she established of Onsomble. In this episode, Julie discusses the importance of business strategy and planning, knowing when to say ‘no’, and planning for failure on your journey to success.

EPISODE LINKS:
Onsomble - https://onsomble.com.au/
Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au

(**Note: this episode was recorded online, and listeners may experience some variations in audio in parts.)

Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!

This November 21st and 22nd , Garden DesignFest opens the gates to inspiring private gardens across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

For 2026  LV has partnered with Garden Design Fest to showcase the best of the work produced by LV designers. all while raising funds for Rotary’s chosen charities. 

 Tickets and locations at GardenDesignFest.com.au.

Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence. 

 Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au

The Front Garden podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by ShapeScaper, the Australian made modular steel garden edging and planter system, trusted by landscape professionals nation wide. 

Find your nearest stockist at shapescaper.com.au

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 Garden at Chateau de Péronne in 2018, and returned to design a second inaugurated garden in 2022.

In this episode, he talks with Chris and Tyson about the privilege and responsibility of working on historic gardens, the influence of climate change on his choice of plantings, his favourite garden project, and the inspiration for the show garden he has planned as guest designer at MIFGS 2023. 

EPISODE LINKS:
Peter Donegan Garden Design - https://doneganlandscaping.com/
Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au

(**Note: this episode was recorded online, and listeners may experience some variations in audio in parts.)

Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!

This November 21st and 22nd , Garden DesignFest opens the gates to inspiring private gardens across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

For 2026  LV has partnered with Garden Design Fest to showcase the best of the work produced by LV designers. all while raising funds for Rotary’s chosen charities. 

 Tickets and locations at GardenDesignFest.com.au.

Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence. 

 Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au

The Front Garden podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by ShapeScaper, the Australian made modular steel garden edging and planter system, trusted by landscape professionals nation wide. 

Find your nearest stockist at shapescaper.com.au

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 talks to Chris and Tyson about the Australian Tree Standard (AS 2303:2018),  the importance of investing in new talent in the horticulture industry, how climate change might influence tree choices in the future, and tips for ensuring tree planting success. 

EPISODE LINKS:
Speciality Trees - https://www.specialitytrees.com.au/
Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au

Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!

This November 21st and 22nd , Garden DesignFest opens the gates to inspiring private gardens across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

For 2026  LV has partnered with Garden Design Fest to showcase the best of the work produced by LV designers. all while raising funds for Rotary’s chosen charities. 

 Tickets and locations at GardenDesignFest.com.au.

Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence. 

 Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au

The Front Garden podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by ShapeScaper, the Australian made modular steel garden edging and planter system, trusted by landscape professionals nation wide. 

Find your nearest stockist at shapescaper.com.au

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 ups and downs of starting a design studio, the significance of relationships in getting new customers, and the importance of self-care when running your own business.

EPISODE LINKS:
Sabo Design - http://www.sabodesign.com.au/
Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au

Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!

This November 21st and 22nd , Garden DesignFest opens the gates to inspiring private gardens across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

For 2026  LV has partnered with Garden Design Fest to showcase the best of the work produced by LV designers. all while raising funds for Rotary’s chosen charities. 

 Tickets and locations at GardenDesignFest.com.au.

Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence. 

 Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au

The Front Garden podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by ShapeScaper, the Australian made modular steel garden edging and planter system, trusted by landscape professionals nation wide. 

Find your nearest stockist at shapescaper.com.au

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 Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Enter the 2022 Victorian Landscaping Awards - download the entry form
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au

Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!

This November 21st and 22nd , Garden DesignFest opens the gates to inspiring private gardens across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

For 2026  LV has partnered with Garden Design Fest to showcase the best of the work produced by LV designers. all while raising funds for Rotary’s chosen charities. 

 Tickets and locations at GardenDesignFest.com.au.

Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence. 

 Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au

The Front Garden podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by ShapeScaper, the Australian made modular steel garden edging and planter system, trusted by landscape professionals nation wide. 

Find your nearest stockist at shapescaper.com.au

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 smoothly, and the growing challenge of costing projects in a post-Covid environment.

The crew also speaks with Nick van Diemen and Simon Buchanan about their experiences in the Victorian Landscaping Awards.

EPISODE LINKS:
Greener Visions Landscapes - https://www.greenervisions.com.au/
Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Enter the 2022 Victorian Landscaping Awards - download the entry form
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au

Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!

This November 21st and 22nd , Garden DesignFest opens the gates to inspiring private gardens across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

For 2026  LV has partnered with Garden Design Fest to showcase the best of the work produced by LV designers. all while raising funds for Rotary’s chosen charities. 

 Tickets and locations at GardenDesignFest.com.au.

Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence. 

 Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au

The Front Garden podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by ShapeScaper, the Australian made modular steel garden edging and planter system, trusted by landscape professionals nation wide. 

Find your nearest stockist at shapescaper.com.au

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 Design & Construction - https://landartlandscapes.com.au/
Striking Pools - https://www.strikingpools.com.au/
Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au

Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!

This November 21st and 22nd , Garden DesignFest opens the gates to inspiring private gardens across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

For 2026  LV has partnered with Garden Design Fest to showcase the best of the work produced by LV designers. all while raising funds for Rotary’s chosen charities. 

 Tickets and locations at GardenDesignFest.com.au.

Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence. 

 Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au

The Front Garden podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by ShapeScaper, the Australian made modular steel garden edging and planter system, trusted by landscape professionals nation wide. 

Find your nearest stockist at shapescaper.com.au

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://mintdesign.net.au/
Botanix Plant Supplies - https://www.botanixplantsupply.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au

Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!

This November 21st and 22nd , Garden DesignFest opens the gates to inspiring private gardens across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

For 2026  LV has partnered with Garden Design Fest to showcase the best of the work produced by LV designers. all while raising funds for Rotary’s chosen charities. 

 Tickets and locations at GardenDesignFest.com.au.

Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence. 

 Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au

The Front Garden podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by ShapeScaper, the Australian made modular steel garden edging and planter system, trusted by landscape professionals nation wide. 

Find your nearest stockist at shapescaper.com.au

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 Landscapes and LVML CEO Megan Flower about the upcoming launch of LVML's wellness initiatives for members.

Next, they chat with Darren Free, LVML's Membership Officer, Ian Barker and Russ Sweetman about the  extensive benefits of being an LVML member.

Finally, Chris, Tyson and Megan are joined by landscaping apprentices Dara and Breanna to talk about the representation of women in trades, and how they're keen to encourage young women to take up a landscaping apprenticeship.

EPISODE LINKS:
TIACS - https://www.tiacs.org/ or call/text 0488 846 988 for a yarn
Video Clip referenced in episode - The Trademutt Story YouTube Link
Trademutt - https://trademutt.com/
Maroondah Landscapes - https://www.maroondahlandscapes.com.au/
Ian Barker Gardens - https://www.landscape.net.au/
Evergreen G&L Solutions - https://www.evergreenglsolutions.com.au/
Cornerstone Paving - https://www.cornerstonepaving.com.au/
Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers - https://www.landscapingvictoria.com.au/
Become an LVML Member - https://www.masterlandscaper.com.au

Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!

This November 21st and 22nd , Garden DesignFest opens the gates to inspiring private gardens across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

For 2026  LV has partnered with Garden Design Fest to showcase the best of the work produced by LV designers. all while raising funds for Rotary’s chosen charities. 

 Tickets and locations at GardenDesignFest.com.au.

Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence. 

 Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au

The Front Garden podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by ShapeScaper, the Australian made modular steel garden edging and planter system, trusted by landscape professionals nation wide. 

Find your nearest stockist at shapescaper.com.au

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!

This November 21st and 22nd , Garden DesignFest opens the gates to inspiring private gardens across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

For 2026  LV has partnered with Garden Design Fest to showcase the best of the work produced by LV designers. all while raising funds for Rotary’s chosen charities. 

 Tickets and locations at GardenDesignFest.com.au.

Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence. 

 Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au

The Front Garden podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by ShapeScaper, the Australian made modular steel garden edging and planter system, trusted by landscape professionals nation wide. 

Find your nearest stockist at shapescaper.com.au