The Front Garden

Landscaping Victoria
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Business
  • Updated Semimonthly

The Front Garden is the podcast for landscaping and green industry professionals looking for practical ideas, honest conversations, and fresh perspectives from across the sector. Produced by Landscaping Victoria and hosted by Adam Hompas, it shares real stories and useful insights to help listeners grow their careers, businesses, and industry knowledge.

  1. 3d ago

    Designing Sculpture That Works in a Landscape | The Front Garden EP153

    In this episode… Have a sculptural feature in mind, but aren’t sure how it will work on site? Bringing a fabricator into the conversation early can help shape the design and resolve practical questions before construction begins. Host Adam Hompas speaks with Timothea Jewell and Chris Vassallo of Lump Sculpture Studio. What began with water features made in a garage has grown into a studio creating outdoor sculptures, decorative screens, planters, and public art. Their work has kept them closely connected to the landscaping industry, from show gardens to projects designed with landscape architects and contractors.  Timothea and Chris explain the different ways a project can arrive at their studio: as a detailed specification, a rough sketch, or a request for an existing piece. They discuss how conversations about levels, weight, fixing, engineering, and installation help turn an idea into something that works in its setting. A large public commission in Papua New Guinea shows how those decisions extend to transport and assembly. The conversation also looks at the demands of public spaces, where sightlines, climbability, reflections, and maintenance can affect a design. For anyone designing, specifying, or building landscapes, it’s a useful reminder that creative work gets stronger when the people making and installing it can contribute early. In this episode, you’ll learn: When to involve a fabricator in a landscape design.How a rough sketch can develop into a workable feature.Why levels, weight, and fixing methods matter before installation.What transport and assembly can add to a large sculpture brief.Which public space considerations may affect a sculptural feature.How new fabrication tools have expanded Lump Sculpture Studio’s work.  🔔 Follow The Front Garden so you don’t miss future episodes.   👁️‍🗨️ About Lump Sculpture Studio Lump Sculpture Studio was founded by Timothea Jewell and Chris Vassallo in 2000. The studio designs and fabricates outdoor sculptures, decorative screens, planters, water features, and public art, working with landscape designers, architects, and contractors. Website: www.lump.com.auFacebook: Lump Sculpture StudioInstagram: @lumpsculptureLinkedIn: Chris VassalloGot 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

  2. Sep 17

    Stop Guessing: Price Your Landscape Jobs for Profit | The Front Garden EP152

    In this episode… Do you know which parts of your landscape projects are making money, and where your margins may be slipping? John Corban, otherwise known as the Landscapers Coach, joins Adam Hompas to explore how landscaping businesses can build greater confidence through clearer numbers, practical systems, and consistent accountability. Drawing on his experience working with landscaping, design, pool-building, and horticultural businesses, John explains why profitability begins with understanding the true cost of delivering each job.  The conversation breaks down a practical approach to quoting, including labour, materials, equipment, and subcontractors. John also discusses the importance of tracking actual job performance against the original quote, reviewing completed projects, and using those lessons to improve future pricing. Beyond the numbers, Adam and John consider the systems that support a stronger operation, from choosing project management software your team will use to planning marketing before enquiries slow down. They also discuss how to qualify prospective clients, establish realistic budget expectations, and offer alternative project scopes without immediately discounting professional fees. For landscaping professionals navigating uncertain conditions, growing a team, or building confidence in the business and management side of your work, this episode offers practical ideas you can apply at any stage. In this episode, you’ll learn: Understanding your profit and loss statement can improve your quoting decisions.How tracking labour, materials, equipment, and subcontractors reveals where project margins change.What to consider when choosing project management software for your workflow.Why marketing should be planned consistently rather than started when enquiries slow.How early client qualification can save time and reduce unsuitable site visits.Why offering two project scopes can be more effective than discounting your price.   👁️‍🗨️ About John Corban Website: www.landscaperscoach.com.auFacebook: landscaperscoachInstagram: @landscaperscoachLinkedIn: landscapers-coachGot a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message! Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence.   Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au 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

  3. Sep 2

    Building Landscapes and Teams for Long-Term Success | The Front Garden EP151

    In this episode… What does it take to create landscapes that perform well beyond handover—and build a team capable of supporting them? Paddy Milne, owner of Ballarat-based The Scape Artist, joins host Adam Hompas to discuss the value of connecting landscape design, construction and ongoing maintenance. Drawing on 13 years in business and experience across each stage of a project, Paddy explains why long-term garden success begins well before work starts on site. Working in Ballarat brings distinct challenges, from heavy clay and long, wet winters to severe frosts and hot, dry summers. Paddy shares how his team responds by carefully preparing the ground, installing subsurface drainage, and selecting plants suited to the site. He also explores the potential of combining Australian natives with Mediterranean plants to create diverse, climate-responsive planting schemes.  The conversation moves beyond the landscape itself to the systems and people behind it. Paddy discusses thorough construction documentation, transparent client communication, the decision to hire machinery and experienced operators as needed, and why growing too quickly prompted him to take a more measured approach to team development. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why maintenance should be considered during the design and construction stages.How local climate, frost, and soil conditions influence plant selection in regional Victoria.Why improving existing clay can be more effective than replacing it entirely.How subsurface drainage supports plant and garden performance through wet winters.Why detailed documentation can improve quoting, construction, and client communication.What Paddy learned from growing his team too quickly and scaling back to move forward steadily.  🔔 Follow The Front Garden so you don’t miss future episodes.   👁️‍🗨️ About Paddy Milne Paddy Milne is the owner of The Scape Artist, a Ballarat-based business with in-house design, construction, and garden maintenance teams. Its work includes residential landscapes in Ballarat and on larger regional properties. Website: www.thescapeartist.com.auArticles: www.thescapeartist.com.au/blogFacebook: The Scape ArtistInstagram: @the_scape_artistGot a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message! Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence.   Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au 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

  4. Aug 19

    Designing Gardens That Last: Sustainability & Detail | The Front Garden EP150

    Pia Lefevre shares how thoughtful site analysis, clear plans, and functional design can create more sustainable gardens while building confidence with clients and contractors. In this episode… What makes a garden sustainable in practice—not just in principle?  Pia Lefevre, Owner of Joyscapes, joins Adam Hompas to explore how careful site analysis, functional planning, and clear communication can shape gardens that work better and last longer. Drawing on her horticulture, sustainability, and nursery experience, Pia shares why she prefers to understand the full site before offering design advice, and how seemingly small decisions can have a big impact on longevity.  The conversation also looks at the handover between the designer and landscaper. Pia explains why she puts a high level of detail into her plans, while still allowing contractors to assess site conditions and apply their construction expertise. It’s a practical discussion about where good documentation, collaboration, and continued learning meet. Pia also reflects on the realities of building a design practice: comparing software before committing to a platform, making pricing and process clear for clients, learning through industry connections, and developing a portfolio that attracts the kind of work she wants to do. Her experience creating a student show garden adds another lesson—that volunteering and hands-on exposure can be among the best ways to understand what a project really demands.   In this episode, you’ll learn: Why functionality and longevity are important parts of sustainable garden design.How detailed site analysis can help reduce poor design and planting decisions.Why clear plans can make the designer-to-contractor handover more effective.What to consider when choosing landscape design software.How transparent pricing and process information can help set client expectations.Why nursery experience, volunteering, and industry relationships can accelerate learning.  🔔 Follow The Front Garden so you don’t miss any future episodes.   👁️‍🗨️ About Pia Lefevre Pia Lefevre is the Owner of Joyscapes. Her landscape design approach combines sustainability, horticulture, function, and a love of joyful, colourful gardens, supported by experience in wholesale nursery work and a background in product photography. Website: joyscapes.com.auInstagram: @pias.joyscapesPinterest: joyscapesLinkedIn: Pia LefevreGot 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

  5. Aug 5

    How to Photograph Landscape Projects That Get Noticed | The Front Garden EP149

    Mitch Lyons explains how thoughtful planning, professional photography, and strong client relationships can help landscape projects look their best and work harder in marketing and awards. In this episode… Great landscape photography starts well before the camera comes out. The condition of the garden, time of day, seasonal timing, and site preparation can determine whether the finished images truly reflect the work. Adam Hompas speaks with Mitch Lyons, owner of Lyons Photography, about his path from commercial and real estate photography into landscapes, gardens, and pools. Mitch explains why landscape work is often best captured late in the day, how he balances wide views with mid-range and detail shots, and why maintenance before the shoot is one of the most important steps a landscaping team can take. The conversation also explores how professional photography supports award entries, websites, Instagram, and wider marketing. Mitch shares how fast turnaround, strong client relationships, and a commitment to making every shoot his best have helped build repeat work and word-of-mouth referrals.  He also discusses drone photography, skilled retouching, the pressure of photographing multiple show gardens within a narrow dusk window at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, and the growing influence of AI. For landscapers, designers, maintenance professionals, and suppliers, the practical message is clear: great work needs to be documented thoughtfully. Planning shoots ahead—rather than waiting until an award deadline or the middle of winter—gives a project a better chance to show its design, craftsmanship, and detail.   In this episode, you’ll learn: Why site maintenance before a shoot can make a major difference to the finished images.How late-afternoon, golden-hour, and dusk conditions help capture landscapes and outdoor lighting.Why a strong image set should include wide, mid-range, detail, and aerial perspectives.How project photography can support award entries, websites, social media, and referrals.Where retouching can improve an image without misrepresenting the completed work.Why planning around the project and season is better than leaving photography until a deadline.  🔔 Follow The Front Garden so you don’t miss any future episodes.    👁️‍🗨️ About Mitch Lyons Website: www.lyonsphotography.com.auInstagram: @mitchlyonsphotographyLinkedIn: Mitch LyonsGot a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message! This November 21st and 22nd , Garden DesignFest opens the gates to inspiring private gardens across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. For 2026  LV has partnered with Garden Design Fest to showcase the best of the work produced by LV designers. all while raising funds for Rotary’s chosen charities.   Tickets and locations at GardenDesignFest.com.au. Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence.   Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au 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

  6. Jul 22

    Building a Landscaping Business from the Ground Up with Shem Quilliam | The Front Garden EP148

    In this episode… What does it really take to build a landscaping business from the ground up?  In this episode of The Front Garden, host Adam Hompas sits down with Shem Quilliam from Cedarscapes to unpack a career that has taken him from landscape apprentice to subcontractor, building foreman, project coordinator and, ultimately, business owner. Shem shares some of the lessons he learnt in the early days of running a business, particularly around pricing work accurately and accounting for everything that happens beyond the physical installation. From site preparation and access to material handling, labour, unexpected ground conditions and delays, he explains why experience on the tools is only one part of getting a quote right.  The conversation also explores Shem's approach to planning larger projects, including working backwards through the construction sequence and bringing in external expertise, such as quantity surveyors, to provide a second set of eyes over complex tenders. A recurring theme throughout the episode is communication. Shem and Adam discuss the importance of keeping clients informed, explaining the reasoning behind decisions, following up after quotes and working collaboratively with builders, suppliers and other trades to keep projects moving. Shem also reflects on knowing when a project or client may not be the right fit, the value of building strong industry relationships, and how his experience across landscaping, construction and project management continues to shape the direction of Cedarscapes. To finish, Shem shares his involvement in planning work with Rapid Housing and Rotary, supporting projects that provide relocatable housing options for communities impacted by natural disasters. It’s an honest conversation about learning through experience, asking for help when you need it, backing your knowledge and building a business one project, relationship and lesson at a time.   Key Takeaways Price the whole job, not just the task. Good quoting means considering site preparation, access, labour, material handling, equipment, delays and the unexpected—not simply how long the physical installation should take. Work backwards when planning a project. Starting with the finished landscape and working back through each stage can help identify the sequence of works, labour requirements and costs before the job begins. Outside expertise can be money well spent. For larger tenders, engaging a quantity surveyor can provide another perspective on pricing, identify items that may have been missed and help improve future quoting systems. Know the conditions you’re working with. Ground conditions, access and site constraints can dramatically affect the time and cost of a project. Local knowledge and early conversations with clients can help manage expectations. Communication builds confidence. Keeping clients, builders and trades informed—and explaining the reasoning behind decisions—can prevent confusion, strengthen relationships and make projects run more smoothly. Not every job needs to be your job. Sometimes the best business decision is to propose an alternative, refer the work to someone better suited or recognise when a project simply isn’t the right fit. Relationships create opportunities. For Shem, much of Cedarscapes' work has grown through word of mouth and strong relationships with clients, builders and industry contacts. Your experience can take you beyond the traditional landscaping path. Shem's background across landscaping, construction and project management has opened the door to broader opportunities, including community-focused housing projects.   🔔 Follow The Front Garden so you don’t miss any future episodes.   👁️‍🗨️ About Shem Quilliam and Cedarscapes Website: cedarscapes.com.auFacebook: Cedarscapes Landscape & ConstructionInstagram: @cedarscapesconstructionLinkedIn: Shem QuilliamGot 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

  7. Jul 8

    Scaling a Landscape Business with Corey Shalevski from RYCOR Landscapes| The Front Garden EP147

    In this episode… Adam Hompas sits down with Corey Shalevski from RYCOR Landscapes for a candid chat about business growth, team culture, systems, and the realities of building a landscape business with momentum. Corey shares the RYCOR story, from growing up on a Yarra Valley property with his brother and business partner Ryan, to combining Ryan’s hands-on landscaping experience with Corey’s background in account management, business development and systems. Together, they’ve grown RYCOR Landscapes into a 19-person team, with a strong focus on quality workmanship, clear communication, digital systems, and hiring people who genuinely align with the business. The conversation explores the transition from pen-and-paper processes to digital job management, the importance of knowing your numbers, the value of investing in the right people, and why strong internal culture becomes even more important as a business grows. Corey also opens up about one of the biggest learning curves in business: switching off. From leaving the laptop at the office to making time for family, sport and life outside work, this episode is a practical reminder that sustainable growth is not just about more projects, more staff or bigger numbers. It is also about building a business that supports the people inside it.   Key Takeaways Growth needs structure. RYCOR’s growth has been supported by clearer systems, defined roles, and a move toward digital processes across quoting, project management, communication, and back-costing. The right team changes everything. Corey talks about the importance of hiring “A players” and building a team of people who see landscaping as a career, not just a job. Quality comes from culture, not just oversight. As the team has grown, Ryan and Corey cannot be everywhere at once, so maintaining quality comes down to hiring people who share the same standards, values and attention to detail. Communication is a business asset. RYCOR prides itself on clear communication with clients, staff and suppliers, but Corey also shares how growth can stretch those standards if the right support is not in place. Know your numbers before you grow. From hiring qualified tradespeople to expanding the office team, Corey reflects on how understanding the numbers helps business owners make better, more confident decisions. Industry connection matters. Adam and Corey discuss the value of networking with other business owners, especially when navigating shared challenges such as price increases, workload pressure, and business uncertainty. Switching off is part of sustainable leadership. Corey speaks openly about learning to set boundaries, spending time with family, getting back into soccer, and finding ways to step away from the constant demands of running a business. Flexibility helps retain good people. RYCOR’s approach to work-life balance extends to the team, with flexibility around family, sport and personal commitments helping create a more supportive workplace. 🔔 Follow The Front Garden so you don’t miss any future episodes. 👁️‍🗨️ About RYCOR Landscapes Website: www.RYCOR.com.auFacebook: RYCOR LandscapesInstagram: @RYCORlandscapesPinterest: RYCOR LandscapesYouTube: RYCOR LandscapesLinkedIn: RYCOR Landscapes and Corey ShalevskiGot a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message! This November 21st and 22nd , Garden DesignFest opens the gates to inspiring private gardens across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. For 2026  LV has partnered with Garden Design Fest to showcase the best of the work produced by LV designers. all while raising funds for Rotary’s chosen charities.   Tickets and locations at GardenDesignFest.com.au. Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence.   Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au 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

  8. Jun 24

    From Graphic Design to Garden Design with Peter Hum | The Front Garden EP146

    In this episode… Our host, Adam Hompas, sits down with Peter Hum from Peter Christopher Gardens for an honest chat about career changes, starting a business, backing yourself, and the importance of doing the little things properly. Peter shares how he moved from graphic design into horticulture after discovering that life behind a computer screen was not for him. What began as a side job helping at a gardening business became an apprenticeship, a genuine passion for plants and soil, and, eventually, the launch of Peter Christopher Gardens in 2021. The conversation explores the early realities of business ownership, from saying yes to too much, learning from underquoting, and adapting to a shifting market, through to building a trusted network of specialists and understanding where your own strengths sit. Peter also speaks about his design process, his admiration for Japanese-inspired gardens, and how attention to detail continues to shape the way his team works.  A major focus of the episode is the Hawthorn garden project that became a turning point in Peter’s career.  After identifying serious soil and plant health issues, Peter undertook a complex restoration process that required technical knowledge, care, patience and persistence. That project eventually led Peter to enter the Victorian Landscape Industry Awards and receive the Nick Van Diemen Award, giving him the confidence to keep levelling up his business. It is a warm, practical, and reflective episode about craftsmanship, humility, growth, and the value of trusting your own abilities.   Key Takeaways Career paths do not have to be linear. Peter’s journey from graphic design to horticulture is a reminder that the skills you build in one industry can often shape your strength in another. Apprenticeships can unlock confidence. Peter’s experience at TAFE helped him realise he had found the right industry, particularly after being recognised as Apprentice of the Year early in his training. Technical knowledge matters. His understanding of soil, plant health and disease became critical in identifying and resolving serious issues in a large residential garden. Good business often means knowing your lane. Peter Christopher Gardens focuses on design, soft landscaping, and maintenance, while working with a trusted network of hardscapers, builders, and carpenters to bring projects to completion. The client relationship is everything. Peter places a strong focus on trust, communication and helping clients understand where their money is going, particularly when projects need to be staged. Awards can be a powerful confidence builder. Entering the Landscaping Victoria Awards gave Peter external validation for years of hard work and helped him see the value of his contribution to the industry. The one percenters count. Inspired by Japanese gardens, Peter’s approach centres on cleanliness, detail, practicality, and consistently doing the small things well.   🔔 Follow The Front Garden so you don’t miss any future episodes.   👁️‍🗨️ About Peter Hum & Peter Christopher Gardens Website: www.peterchristophergardens.com.auFacebook: Peter Christopher GardensInstagram: @peterchristophergardensGot a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message! This November 21st and 22nd , Garden DesignFest opens the gates to inspiring private gardens across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. For 2026  LV has partnered with Garden Design Fest to showcase the best of the work produced by LV designers. all while raising funds for Rotary’s chosen charities.   Tickets and locations at GardenDesignFest.com.au. Manufactured right here in Australia using Australian BlueScope steel, SHAPESCAPER products are built tough for DIY projects, professional landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial installations. Explore SHAPESCAPER steel planters and garden edging today, and shape your outdoor space with confidence.   Find out more by visiting shapescaper.com.au 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

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About

The Front Garden is the podcast for landscaping and green industry professionals looking for practical ideas, honest conversations, and fresh perspectives from across the sector. Produced by Landscaping Victoria and hosted by Adam Hompas, it shares real stories and useful insights to help listeners grow their careers, businesses, and industry knowledge.

Information

  • Creator
    Landscaping Victoria
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    143
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Landscaping Victoria Incorporated
  • Show Website
    The Front Garden

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