The Front Garden

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.

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👁️‍🗨️ 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 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

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.

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✍️ 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 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

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.

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👁️‍🗨️ 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 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

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.

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👁️‍🗨️ 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 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

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.

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👁️‍🗨️ 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 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

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.

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👁️‍🗨️ 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 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

Richie Hinton fills in for Chris in this episode of The Front Garden. He sits down with Mathew Wandmaker, a Board member of Landscaping Victoria and the owner of Blue Ridge Property Maintenance.  

Mathew shares his inspiring journey from working in the banking sector to founding a thriving garden maintenance business. 

He dives into the challenges and triumphs of starting small, his decision to shift from residential to commercial maintenance, and his passion for keeping things hands-on while scaling his operations.

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👁️‍🗨️ About Mathew Wandmaker

• Website https://www.blueridgepropertymaintenance.com.au
• Facebook @blueridgepropertymaintenance
• Instagram @blueridgepm
• LinkedIn Mathew Wandmaker

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 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

In this episode…

In this episode of The Front Garden, guest host Ritchie Hinton steps in for Chris Weiss to chat with Lauren Bianchi, Marketing and Communications Officer at Landscaping Victoria, about marketing strategies for landscaping professionals. 

Lauren shares her background in marketing and communications, her journey to Landscaping Victoria, and provides valuable insights and tips for small to medium businesses in the landscaping industry. She shares five essential marketing tips for landscaping professionals;

1. Know your customer
2. Create a marketing plan
3. Invest in core content
4. Prioritise high-quality visuals
5. Build an online presence outside of social media 

🔔 Subscribe to The Front Garden for More Landscaping Industry Insights 
 

👁️‍🗨️ About Lauren Bianchi

• Website www.landscapingvictoria.com.au
• Resource Landscaping Victoria Marketing Quick Guide
• Instagram @landscaping_victoria
• Facebook Landscaping Victoria
• LinkedIn @laurenbianchi and @landscaping-victoria

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 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

In this episode…

Special guest host Richie Hinton, CEO of Landscaping Victoria, interviews Wayne De Klijn from AQL Landscape Design. Wayne shares his journey from interior landscaping to running a diverse landscape architecture and construction business.  

He discusses his approach to various projects, from botanical gardens to urban spaces, emphasising the importance of adaptability in design, consideration of climate change, and the value of well-designed public spaces.

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👁️‍🗨️ About Wayne De Klijn

• Website: www.aql.net.au
• YouTube: @aqlaustralia8335
• Facebook: AQL Landscape Design
• Instagram @aqlandscape
• LinkedIn: Wayne De Klijn

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 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

In this episode…

Chris Weiss chats with Abby Kempe from Tradeswomen Australia (TWA), who shares insights on promoting gender diversity in the trades industry. Abby discusses TWA's role as a social enterprise, emphasising the importance of education and cultural change in creating inclusive workplaces.

She explores the challenges and opportunities in attracting and retaining women in trades, highlighting the value of open conversations and practical solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Abby explains that everyone can contribute to shaping a more inclusive industry, whether you're a small residential landscaping company or a large corporation. It starts with a simple conversation: Where are you at, and where do you want to be?

Some key takeaways from this episode: 

🔧 How TWA balances immediate impact with long-term cultural change 

🏗️ The importance of psychosocial change in the trades industry 

💡 Practical steps for businesses to create more inclusive work environments 

🤝 Why open, judgment-free conversations are crucial for progress

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👁️‍🗨️ About Abby Kempe

• Website: https://tradeswomenaus.com
• Resource: TWA Services Guide
• Facebook: @twaustralia
• Instagram: @twaustralia
• LinkedIn: @abbykempe @tradeswomen-australia

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 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