The Landscaping Podcast - Ep28 - Jac Semmler - The Plant Society

In this episode I speak with Jac Semmler. Jac formerly worked at the Diggers Club and recently started a new role with The Plant Society as Head of Plants and Strategy.

We discuss her current and previous roles, as well as her work writing articles for The Planthunter.

Jac's own garden in Frankston, called 'Heartland' is open the weekend of the 4th and 5th of December 2021 as part of Open Gardens Victoria and we discuss the various spaces which make up her garden.

You can follow along with Jac on Instagram @jac.semmler

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 Sam Collie of Esjay Landscapes and Pools. Esjay is based in Melbourne and are a one stop shop for their clients, doing design, landscape construction, pool construction and maintenance. We discuss how Sam keeps on top of all of this.

Sam mentions who he worked for when he started out in the industry, including two Icons of the industry.

We also talk about some advice Sam has received through the use of a business coach.

And I was impressed at how Sam tracks his employees hours on site. Not just the simple '8 hours at X job', his employees break it down further into what role they were doing and for how long, so that they can then work out which tasks are going according to schedule, and which aren't, and make adjustments to change that.

You can follow along with Sam's projects @esjaylandscapes or on the website esjaylandscapes.com.au

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

The Landscaping Podcast - Ep26 - Mark Cvetkovski

In this episode I talk with Mark Cvetkovski of Top Buxus Australia.

Mark and his business partner operate a garden maintenance business in Melbourne and after struggling to find a suitable solution to the lack of health with Buxus plants, they discovered Top Buxus and started importing it into Australia to use on their clients gardens. After a year of using it they decided to be the Australian seller of it.

Mark's background is in Science, and we discuss how he looked to develop root systems within plants in winter in order for them to thrive in Spring.

We also discuss the benefit Mark of using the Top Buxus product prior to selling it, so that they had confidence in what they were selling.

You can follow along with Mark on the Top Buxus Instagram page @topbuxus_australia

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

The Landscaping Podcast - Ep25 - Alistair Hutton - Everscapes

In this episode I speak with Alistair Hutton of Everscapes. Everscapes is a landscape design and construction company based in Brisbane and Alistair also runs Infinity Pool Builders.

In this chat, Alistair mentions how he started in the industry, by pushing himself to do new things as clients asked, which allowed him to grow his skillset. When I ask about how he grew the business to the size it is now (26 employees), he mentions how learning to not micro manage was the biggest thing he had to do in order to grow.

Something I forgot to compliment Alistair on was his use of social media. His Instagram is well worth a follow and can be found at @everscapes_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 or on our website
instylegardens.com.au/the-landscaping-podcast

The Landscaping Podcast - Ep24 - Steven Wells - The Gardener

In this episode I speak with Steven Wells. Steven is a horticultural therapist and nurse, and has combined his love of horticulture and caring for people by designing and implementing a beautiful gardens built across three Austin Hospital sites for the benefit of patients, visitors and staff.

I found this chat to be great for reflecting on the way I think and act in business and life. Steven speaks about his amazing manager who supported his passion in the early days, how he's able to sit back and watch people enjoy the garden that was his idea and which he designed, and I remind Steven of a series of Instagram posts hid did a few years ago where he was noticing numbers in nature.

It's a deeper thinking episode than normal, but I absolutely loved that about it so hopefully you do too!

The Better Homes and Garden story I refer to in the opener is here, and it's worth watching prior to listening to this episode. The bit with Steven only goes for about three minutes, unless you'd like to learn how to build a water garden in a bowl, in which case, keep watching!

Steven can be found on instagram @stevenwellsthegardener and his website is stevenwellsthegardener.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

The Landscaping Podcast - Ep23 - Craig Ratcliffe - Southern Cross Lawns and Gardens

In this episode I speak with Craig Ratcliffe of Southern Cross Lawns and Gardens. Craig is a gardener who specialises in hedging and topiary and works in New South Wales.

Craig recently moved to Orange from Sydney, which is about 3 hours commute, so we discuss how he's going to look after past clients in Sydney and obtain new ones in Orange.

He's got a great story about how he started in the industry and the persistence he had to work for the employer he wanted to work for.

And Craig has a large social media following so we discuss his through process behind his posts.

You can follow Craig on Instagram @southerncrosslawnsandgardens


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

The Landscaping Podcast - Ep22 - Jordan Taylor - Granite Works

In this episode I speak with Jordan Taylor from Granite Works, a paving supplier based in Melbourne.

We speak about Jordan applying for a job ad in the paper to work for Granite Works 18 years ago and the path he has taken to get to his role today.

We speak about how the paving industry has changed, about a couple of impressive projects Granite Works has been involved in and some new products on the market.

You can follow along with Granite Works on Instagram @granite.works or their website www.graniteworks.com.au

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

The Landscaping Podcast - Ep21 - Tony Mcleod - Domain Pools

In this episode I speak with Tony Mcleod from Domain Pools, a pool building company based in Melbourne.

Tony has been in the Landscaping/Pool industry for more than 30 years and is a wealth of knowledge, some of which he shares in this episode.

He also talks about a massive project he won in the early days which set him up for future success.

He talks about people not charging enough when they're quoting for tasks such as paving.

And I ask the age old question "Why should I pick a concrete pool vs a fibreglass pool.

Domain pools can be found on Instagram @domainpoolsmelbourne or their website domainpools.melbourne


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