Episode 272 - Matt York - Ratio Consultants

In this episode I speak with Matt York from Ratio Consultants. Matt is a partner and Landscape Architect at Ratio and is one of the nice guys of the industry.

It was a fascinating chat with Matt, from hearing about his journey in the industry and seeing how relevant it's all been to the work he's doing now, to hearing about what's he doing now, which is designing a city in Kenya which will be home to 250,000 people, starting with 0.

We also talk about Matt's experiences at MIFGS over the years and get a preview about his upcoming show garden for this year.

You can follow Matt on Instagram @mattyorklandscapearchitect or @ratio.consultants

If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.

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

Episode 271 - Toby France - Exterior Architecture

In this episode I speak with Toby France from Exterior Architecture, a landscape architecture firm based in Sydney and on the Sunshine Coast.

Toby started study and work in the UK and worked for some high end companies before moving to Australia, working for a few years here and then starting EA. He's also recently opened the Sunshine Coast office after moving there and is running both offices.

It's great to hear that one of Toby's employees has an interior/architecture background, and he explains how well that works in terms of designing spaces in a different way to what Toby would.

You can follow Toby's work on Instagram @exterior_arch

If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.

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

Episode 270 - Breana Graham - Breana Graham Landscapes

In this episode, the final for 2025, I speak with Breana Graham from Breana Graham Landscapes, a landscape architecture/design business based in Sydney working on high end residential projects.

Breana makes some great points in this chat about the importance of challenging the relationship between architect and builder so that they both improve.

She also talks about the way she does her plant schedules within her designs, which is a way I hadn't heard of before, but makes a lot of sense when she explains it.

One day after this episode is released, we'll tick over 250,000 downloads of the podcast, so thank you to everyone who has listened to an episode, but especially the guests who've taken the time to come on the podcast and share their story.

You can follow Breana on Instagram @breanagraham_landscapes

If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.

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

Episode 269 - Peter Donegan - Peter Donegan Garden Design

In this episode I catch with friend of the show, Peter Donegan from Peter Donegan Garden Design, a designer based in Ireland.

I always love chatting with Peter and hearing the creativity behind his designs, and in this episode he talks about a couple of recent award victories, including one we're he'll be representing Europe.

He also talks about his recent trip to a University in Turkey, as well as a potential garden he'll be designing in Australia.

You can follow Peter on Instagram @peterdonegan

If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.

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

Episode 268 - Chris Varsamakis - Zorbas Gardens

In this episode I speak with Chris Varsamakis from Zorbas Gardens, a design, construction and maintenance business based just outside of Geelong in Teesdale. 

Chris has gone from having his first horticultural job 3 years ago, to being a solo operator as recently as 14 months ago, to now having 7 full time employees as well as a couple of sub contractors on his books, so he's grown very quick, but as you'll hear, it's been measured growth and he's doing a lot of the right things to make it sustainable.

Chris talks about one of the keys to being able to scale that quick, and also shares his experiences of working with past guest and business coach, Paul Hamilton.

You can follow Chris on Instagram @zorbas_gardens

If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.

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

Episode 267 - Patrick Hudecek - Peak Project Group

In this episode I speak with Patrick Hudecek from Peak Project Group, a landscaping company based in Mansfield, Victoria building high end landscapes in the high country.

Patrick initially started the business himself, and around 12 months ago had two other team members come on board as partners in the business, and he explains why it's working so well in the partnership.

He also explains how they have weekly meetings between the partners and daily short site chats to let everyone on site know their roles.

You can follow Patrick on Instagram @peak_project_group

If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.

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

Episode 266 - Tim Hanna - Hanna Digital Design

In this episode I speak with Tim Hanna from Hanna Digital Design, a design company based in Vietnam who convert 2D designs into stunning 3D renders as well as doing elevation drawings.

Tim talks about how he started his apprenticeship in Parks and Gardens in Melbourne, working in garden maintenance for a couple of big name businesses before starting out on his own and having up to 6 employees, and then moving over to Vietnam where he started Hanna Digital Designs and now employs 8 staff.

He talks about how his staff have stayed and grown over the years and the reasons why, and also talks about the room for growth.

You can follow Tim on Instagram @hanna_digital_design

If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.

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

Episode 265 - Natalie Back - Living Earth Design

In this episode I speak with Natalie Back from Living Earth Design. Natalie is a landscape designer based in Melbourne and while only early into her design career, it's clear she has a great business mind and there's plenty to learn from her in this episode.

She talks about how valuable it's been being part of Landscaping Victoria's mentor program, where she's being mentored by Peter Shaw.

She also talks about her experience designing and building a garden at MIFGS this year with Open Gardens Victoria, and more importantly talks about how she marketed herself there, which is something I may copy off her for next year, it's that brilliant an idea.

You can follow Natalie on Instagram @livingearthdesign

If you're wanting to sign up to be on the mailing list for The Landscaping School, you can find the link here.

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