In this episode I speak with Liam Riley from Indigenous Design Landscaping. A design and construction company based in Melbourne who build sustainable and environmentally sensitive landscapes.

Liam has 18 employees and completes residential and commercial projects and in this chat he talks about the importance and his willingness to upskill his staff.

He has a great story about the luck he had in starting in the industry, just by handing out flyers in his street.

He also talks about how he studied business in his early days, as he's more of a natural landscaper than businessman. We also discussed the difference in the pros and cons of residential and commercial landscaping.

You can follow along with Liam's work on Instagram @id_landscaping

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on February 12, 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released on the podcasts on Thursdays.

In this episode I answered questions such as : 

What design program do you use and why?

What's the best purchase for your business you've made under $100?

What is the best staff numbers to have on site?

Where do I begin when landscaping on a sloping block?

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Malcom Berce from Desert Flower Landscaping, a landscape design and construction company based in Adelaide, South Australia.

Malcom is a wealth of knowledge and a great person to talk to. The conversation I had with him prior to the podcast officially starting was so good that I had to leave it in.

He talks about the reason he charges for consultations, where his passion for gardening and landscaping originated and what it's like being on the MLSA board.

Malcom had a long term vision of what he wanted to be and to achieve prior to starting in landscaping, and it's great to see him achieving his vision and working towards a continually improving one.

You can follow Malcom on Instagram @desert.flower.landscaping

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on February 5 2023, is part of our mid week release which are recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 EST and released on the podcasts on Thursdays.

In this episode I answered questions such as : 

When did you know you'd made it in business?

What job management programs do you use?

When is the best time to put on an employee?

Any advice for a first time MIFGS entrant?

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Darin Bradbury from Mint Pool and Landscape Design, a design company based in Melbourne.

Darin has a great, well rounded resume of experience prior to starting Mint, having started in a Vineyard, before studying at Burnley, working in maintenance and then working for Ian Barker and Associate's and then starting with Scott Wynd from TLC Pools.

Darin talks about the importance of garden maintenance and I also ask him the best way to go about working out how much you should charge for a design.

Darin has also been involved in plenty of designs for marketing of the business including being on The Block, at MIFGS, designing a garden for Shayna Blaze on a TV program and projects at the HIA home show and Spasa Pool and Spa show, so he shares which ones he thinks are the best to get work from, and which aren't.

You can follow along with Darin's work on Instagram @mintdesignau

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel

This episode, which is a recording of an Instagram Live I did on January 29 2023, will be the first mid week podcast episode, which will be a weekly event, recorded Live on Instagram every Sunday at 8.30 est and released on the podcasts on Thursdays.

In this episode I answered questions such as : 

What’s the most memorable point of your career?

Thoughts on landscapers using subbies more?

Why did you decide to do a podcast?

How are you handling the wet weather in terms of lost time and profits?

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I speak with Martin Semken from Semken Landscaping, a construction and maintenance business based in Melbourne which Martin started 35 years ago.

Semken Landscaping were the first Australian construction company to build a Show Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show and have also been involved in the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show every year since inception, so we discuss both shows in this chat.

Martin discusses the value of garden maintenance and why more landscapers should be offering it.

I got goosebumps when Martin was talking about the amount of care he has for his apprentices when they start, and how he likes to meet with their parents prior to them starting so that they have an understanding of who their child is working for, what to expect, and so that they can contact him if needed. It's obvious that Martin treats his employees like family, not just the half dozen who literally are family!

You can follow along with Martin's work on Instagram @smekenlandscaping

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel

In this episode I answer questions submitted via Instagram in an Instagram Live recording.

This is something that I'll be hoping to do weekly, recorded on Sunday night at 8.30pm EST and released as a podcast on the Thursday of the following week, in addition to the regular guest, released on the Monday as normal.

Some of the questions answered in this episode are :
What is your process for leading clients into getting their project drawn up with a design?
What do landscapers do?
Any words of advice on starting your own business and how to bring on your first employee?
ARE YOU TIRED?
Do you get anxious about upcoming work, ie did I cost it right, timings, allowances etc?
What is the single best piece of business advice you've been given?
Which end do you start at when eating a dimmy?

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel or on our website
instylegardens.com.au/the-landscaping-podcast

In this episode I speak with Peter Donegan from Peter Donegan Garden Design. Peter is a Landscape Designer based in Ireland and will be designing a garden at the 2023 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, so we discuss how that came about.

Peter started his passion for gardens and design at a very young age, 5 or 6, and still has the same passion for it 40 years later.

He comes across as a very knowledgeable individual, and shares plenty throughout the chat, such as the importance of designers, landscapers and other trades all knowing their role when working together on a project, to ensure it runs smoothly.

Peter also tells a story about a friend of his who started a music festival and invited him to come along, and his first questions was "Who's going?" to which his friend replied "If you're offered a ticket on a rocket ship, you don't ask who's going, you just get on the rocket ship", and this is a philosophy Peter lives by, saying yes to opportunities that come along, while also acknowledging that if you've got responsibilities like a mortgage, sometimes you have to say no!

I mention a great talk that Peter does on Biodiversity which can be found here.

You can see Peter's 'controversial' MIFGS Q and A here.

And you can follow Peter on Instagram @peterdonegan or on his website doneganlandscaping.com

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel or on our website
instylegardens.com.au/the-landscaping-podcast

In this episode, this final for the year, I speak with Phil Withers from Phillip Withers Landscape Design. Phil runs a landscape design and horticulture company based in Melbourne and has done for around 10 years.

Phil talks about how he started in the industry studying design but also working in construction and maintenance to get a better idea of what everything actually is that he was designing.

He talks about how great Garden Shows are and shares when he'll be doing a garden show next, as well as talking about a book he's looking to publish.

We also touch on Phil's respect for the land he builds gardens on and he shares why this is and how design can be done better.

You can follow Phil on Instagram @phillip_withers

You can follow along with the projects we're currently working on via our Instagram page
@instyle_gardens
@thelandscapingpodcast

You can view each episode on our YouTube channel or on our website
instylegardens.com.au/the-landscaping-podcast