TL;DR

Karen Dickson and Greg Palmer from Ayus Botanical join Adam Hompas to explore the art, business and emotion behind plant-led landscape design. From nursery beginnings and commercial projects to botanical retreats and the Chelsea Flower Show, this episode is a thoughtful look at how gardens can shape the way people feel, connect and slow down.

In this episode…

In this episode of The Front Garden, host Adam Hompas chats with Karen Dickson and Greg Palmer from Ayus Botanical about the many layers behind creating thoughtful, plant-rich landscapes.

Greg shares how his early nursery days shaped his deep love of plants, design, and sensory garden experiences, while Karen brings insight into the business, compliance and project management side of running a modern landscape practice.

Together, they unpack the importance of slowing people down through garden design, building strong relationships with contractors and clients, and why preparation, safety, and documentation matter more than ever.

The conversation also takes us behind the scenes of Greg’s return to the Chelsea Flower Show, where he is working on a major Main Avenue garden connected to The Children’s Society.

Key takeaways

• Great gardens are built on plant knowledge, not just construction.
• Sensory details like fragrance, texture, sound and movement can completely change how people experience a space.
• Strong contractor relationships are essential when delivering complex projects.
• Commercial landscaping requires careful attention to contracts, safety, compliance, and risk.
• Therapeutic gardens can create powerful moments of pause, connection, and transformation.
• Chelsea Flower Show operates on a different scale, with major sponsorship, complex logistics, and a strong focus on relocation and legacy.
• Plant selection, soil preparation, and long-term maintenance are critical to successful landscapes.

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Specifically designed for DIY Gardeners and Landscapers around the world. Designed with simple installation in mind, including; pre-drilled & prepared for assembly, no training or experience necessary. Straightcurve is surprisingly affordable compared to the alternatives, find your closest dealer here.

The Front Garden podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Straightcurve, providers of premium steel edging solutions.

Visit Straightcurve to learn more at https://straightcurve.com/au/

Dean Oliver and Matt Johnston from Can Do Landscapes chat with Adam Hompas about leadership, apprenticeships, communication, and the systems that help landscaping businesses run well on-site and behind the scenes.

In this episode…

What does it take to build a strong landscaping team, create systems that work on site, and step confidently into leadership?

In this episode of The Front Garden podcast, our host, Adam Hompas, chats with Dean Oliver and Matt Johnston from Can Do Landscapes about business growth, training apprentices, on-site communication, and the realities of running efficient, high-performing landscape projects.

Dean shares how he found his way into landscaping after realising a career in property development was not for him, and how Can Do Landscapes grew from humble beginnings in a small apartment storage cage into a well-structured business with clear roles, reliable systems, and a strong team culture.

Matt reflects on his journey from apprentice to second-in-charge and the lessons that came with stepping up, taking ownership, and learning to lead others.

Together, they unpack how strong communication, clear expectations and the right technology can make day-to-day operations smoother, from site management and team coordination through to documentation, quoting and client communication. They also talk openly about safety, mental health, the importance of adapting your leadership style, and why good systems are just as important as good workmanship.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• How Dean built Can Do Landscapes from the ground up
• Why apprenticeship pathways matter and how to bring young people into the industry well
• What Matt learned stepping from apprentice into a leadership role
• Why communication style matters when managing different personalities
• How better systems and apps have improved workflow, record keeping and team communication
• Why safety has to be non-negotiable on site
• The value of documenting time, workflow and variations properly
• How honest client communication helps avoid issues later
• Why drainage, excavation and planning are so critical to a successful outcome
• How machinery and technology are improving efficiency and reducing fatigue on-site
• Why mental health and asking for help matter in leadership roles
• What today’s landscaping businesses should be doing differently from day one

This episode is packed with practical insights for landscapers looking to build better teams, improve workflows, and create businesses set up to grow.

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👁️‍🗨️ About Can Do Landscapes

• Website: www.can-do-landscapes.com
• Facebook: Can Do Landscapes
• Instagram: @candolandscapes

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

Specifically designed for DIY Gardeners and Landscapers around the world. Designed with simple installation in mind, including; pre-drilled & prepared for assembly, no training or experience necessary. Straightcurve is surprisingly affordable compared to the alternatives, find your closest dealer here.

The Front Garden podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Straightcurve, providers of premium steel edging solutions.

Visit Straightcurve to learn more at https://straightcurve.com/au/

TL;DR: In Episode 140 of The Front Garden, Adam Hompas chats with Tomas Runciman from Straightcurve about why garden edging is one of the most overlooked but important elements in landscape construction.

From modular systems and faster installs to material choices and emerging design trends, this episode is a practical look at how the right details can lift the entire project.

In this episode…

Adam Hompas sits down with Tomas Runciman from Straightcurve to explore why garden edging is far more than a finishing touch.

From defining levels and holding materials in place to shaping spaces and supporting long-term design integrity, Tomas makes the case for edging as one of the quiet achievers of the landscape.

Tomas shares his own journey into the industry, from childhood garden drawings and time spent growing food with family, through to studying landscape architecture, horticulture and botany. That blend of design thinking and practical knowledge comes through clearly in this conversation, particularly when discussing how thoughtful systems can improve both the build process and the final result.

The chat dives into the evolution of steel edging and raised garden bed systems, including the benefits of modular construction, flexible and rigid profiles, hidden fixings, and products designed to save time on site without compromising finish. Tomas also explains the growing appeal of weathering steel, the role of galvanised steel in coastal and contemporary projects, and how material choices are shaping the next phase of Australian landscape design.

There’s plenty here for landscapers, designers and contractors alike, from installation considerations and durability to how feedback from the industry helps drive product development. Tomas also shares a sneak peek at what’s next for Straightcurve, including a forthcoming powder-coated range.

Key takeaways

• Garden edging plays a structural role in landscape design, helping define spaces, hold materials, manage levels and maintain design integrity over time.
• Modular systems can dramatically reduce installation time, especially when they eliminate the need for welding, visible fixings and unnecessary on-site fiddling.
• Material choice matters, with weathering steel offering a natural patinaed look and galvanised steel providing longevity, especially in coastal environments.
• Good product design supports better builds, making life easier not only for experienced landscapers but also for teams and DIY users working on site.
• The industry continues to improve through feedback, with contractor input playing a direct role in the evolution of systems and installation methods.
• Straightcurve is preparing to launch a powder-coated range, signalling where landscape detailing and product finishes may be heading next.

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👁️‍🗨️ About Tomas Runciman

• Website: straightcurve.com/au/
• Blog: Garde

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

Specifically designed for DIY Gardeners and Landscapers around the world. Designed with simple installation in mind, including; pre-drilled & prepared for assembly, no training or experience necessary. Straightcurve is surprisingly affordable compared to the alternatives, find your closest dealer here.

The Front Garden podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Straightcurve, providers of premium steel edging solutions.

Visit Straightcurve to learn more at https://straightcurve.com/au/