The Messed Up Gardener

Esther Aitken
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  • HOME & GARDEN

Hello and Welcome to The Messed Up Gardener. This podcast covers all areas of gardening from a beginner, intermediate to advanced level. It covers gardening on any budget, any space, any place. There are no rules when it comes to me, and my gardens and I do it messy. There is nothing more fun than getting your hands dirty and creating that space that gives you joy and abundance. This podcast will give tips, tricks, hacks and methodology’s to make any space work from the tiny indoor garden to the rolling meadows with even a dash of bees and hydroponics thrown in. I have been a horticulturist for as long as I can remember and in the industry since I was 15 so that’s nearly 30 years of hands on gardening experience. I am really looking forward to being on this journey & doing it messy with you.

  1. EP 164: Transplant Shock Isn’t About Transplanting — Here’s A low-stress system for seedlings that flop after planting out

    3D AGO

    EP 164: Transplant Shock Isn’t About Transplanting — Here’s A low-stress system for seedlings that flop after planting out

    Have you ever planted out a seedling, stood back proud… then come out the next morning to find it flopped over like it’s regretting all its life choices? 😅 In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, we’re breaking down “transplant shock” in a way that actually makes it feel manageable — because most of the time, it’s not about you doing something wrong… it’s about your plant adjusting to a sudden environmental reset. You’ll learn how to tell the difference between normal transplant stress and real damage, plus a calm, layered plan that stabilises seedlings without turning you into an exhausted full-time plant nurse. This episode is designed to lower the panic, reduce seedling losses, and help you respond calmly instead of escalating into “water it again and hope” mode. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. 📩 Reach out here: themessedupgardener@gmail.com Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝 Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms  Or Grab  ·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.    Freebies: Grab the  -         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden  -         https://stan.store/EstherA  -         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now  Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.

    21 min
  2. Ep 163: Slugs & Snails Are Back — Here’s the Calm Plan That Actually Works

    FEB 7

    Ep 163: Slugs & Snails Are Back — Here’s the Calm Plan That Actually Works

    Ep 163: Slugs & Snails Are Back — Here’s the Calm Plan That Actually Works A targeted, low-tox slug strategy for seedlings and soft growth Slugs are back — and if you’ve walked outside to find seedlings chewed overnight, this episode is for you. In this calm, practical mini-masterclass, Esther breaks down a low-stress, realistic approach to managing slugs and snails without turning your garden into a chemical zone or exhausting yourself trying to “fix everything.” This episode isn’t about eradicating slugs.  It’s about protecting what matters most, using a layered plan that works with plant biology — not against it. If slug damage has been making your garden feel like a nightly loss, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and move forward with confidence.   If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. 📩 Reach out here: themessedupgardener@gmail.com Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms  Or Grab  ·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.    Freebies: Grab the  -         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden  -         https://stan.store/EstherA -         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA -         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.

    22 min
  3. Episode 162: Tabletop Veg Is the 2026 Trend — Here’s How to Actually Make It Work - Tiny pots, real harvests, and the few things that matter

    JAN 31

    Episode 162: Tabletop Veg Is the 2026 Trend — Here’s How to Actually Make It Work - Tiny pots, real harvests, and the few things that matter

    Growing food is changing — and this episode explains why tabletop veg is having a real moment, not just a social media one. In Episode 162 of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams breaks down how growing edible plants at waist height — on tables, benches, decks, balconies, and patios — is becoming one of the most practical, accessible ways to grow food in 2026 and beyond. This episode is calm, practical, and designed for real life. No hype. No pressure. Just clear guidance for anyone who wants to grow food in a small space, with limited time or energy. Whether you’re gardening on a balcony, a patio, a deck, or just outside your kitchen door, this episode will help you grow food in a way that feels doable — and sustainable. ✨ Because a tabletop garden counts. 🎧 Listen now and start small, keep it close, and let it be enough. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. 📩 Reach out here: themessedupgardener@gmail.com Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms  Or Grab  ·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.    Freebies: Grab the  -         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden  -         https://stan.store/EstherA -         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA -         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.

    26 min
  4. Ep 161: Most Gardening Advice Sounds Helpful — Here’s What Actually Is 5 myths, 5 truths, and the things that make a real difference

    JAN 24

    Ep 161: Most Gardening Advice Sounds Helpful — Here’s What Actually Is 5 myths, 5 truths, and the things that make a real difference

    5 myths, 5 truths, and the things that make a real difference Gardening advice is everywhere — and a lot of it sounds helpful. But for many gardeners, it quietly creates more pressure than progress. In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther slows things right down. After a week shaped by extreme weather, disrupted travel, and a reminder of how quickly conditions can change, this episode becomes a steady, grounding pause — not a push to do more. This is a calm, supportive reality check for tired gardeners who care deeply but don’t always have the energy for perfect systems or constant momentum. You don’t need to take notes.  You don’t need to apply this perfectly.  Just listen, notice what feels relieving, and let the rest go. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. 📩 Reach out here: themessedupgardener@gmail.com Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms  Or Grab  ·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.    Freebies: Grab the  -         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden  -         https://stan.store/EstherA -         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA -         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.

    24 min
  5. Ep 160: What to Plant in January: Back to Basics — The Most Reliable Plants for This Month, Wherever You Live

    JAN 17

    Ep 160: What to Plant in January: Back to Basics — The Most Reliable Plants for This Month, Wherever You Live

    January gardening can feel deceptively simple… and strangely exhausting. Whether you’re dealing with peak summer heat in the Southern Hemisphere or deep winter planning in the Northern Hemisphere, this episode is a calm, practical reset for tired gardeners who want clarity without pressure. In this episode, Esther walks you through seven reliable plants you can plant in January, no matter where you live — plus how to choose what actually fits your energy, space, and season right now. This isn’t about doing everything.  It’s about choosing one or two things that work with January, not against it. If your energy is low, the weather feels extreme, or your motivation is a bit wobbly — this episode is your permission slip to simplify, stabilise, and keep going. 🎧 Perfect for gardeners who want progress without pressure. And until next time, remember:  Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌱  Have an abundant week — I’ll buzz you later. 🐝 Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms  Or Grab  ·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.    Freebies: Grab the  -         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden  -         https://stan.store/EstherA  -         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA -         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.

    26 min
  6. Ep 159: The 3-List Garden Permission Slip. What you’re allowed to quit, ignore, and do badly

    JAN 10

    Ep 159: The 3-List Garden Permission Slip. What you’re allowed to quit, ignore, and do badly

    Gardening doesn’t always need motivation — sometimes it needs permission. In this quieter episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther shares a gentle reset for overwhelmed, tired gardeners: three things you’re allowed to quit, three things you’re allowed to ignore, and three things you’re allowed to do badly — without guilt. Recorded during a heatwave and a low-energy day, this episode is a reminder that you don’t need to earn your place in the garden. Showing up imperfectly still counts. If your garden has started to feel like one more thing, this one’s for you. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. 📩 Reach out here: themessedupgardener@gmail.com Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝 Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms  Or Grab  ·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.    Freebies: Grab the  -         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden  -         https://stan.store/EstherA  -         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA -         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.

    21 min
  7. Ep 158: When the Weather Cries Wolf

    JAN 3

    Ep 158: When the Weather Cries Wolf

    The forecast has been acting like that dramatic friend who’s “being such a diva” every second day… and if you’ve ever rearranged your whole garden plan for “rain at 3pm” that never arrived, this episode is for you. In this mini masterclass, Esther breaks down a simple, realistic system for gardening when the weather is unreliable — without becoming a full-time meteorologist, and without your garden turning into chaos. We cover the real reason weather chaos feels exhausting (decision fatigue), how to build a garden that’s less reactive to extremes, and the “Weather Trust Test” you can use to stop getting emotionally played by the forecast. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. 📩 Reach out here: themessedupgardener@gmail.com Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝 Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms  Or Grab  ·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.    Freebies: Grab the  -         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden  -         https://stan.store/EstherA  -         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA -         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.

    18 min
  8. Ep 157: The 3-Goal Garden Rule (Because You’re Not a Garden Employee)

    12/27/2025

    Ep 157: The 3-Goal Garden Rule (Because You’re Not a Garden Employee)

    It’s Twixmas… that weird in-between week where time doesn’t exist, your diet is 80% snacks, and your garden has decided to grow 9cm overnight just to humble you. In today’s episode, I’m sharing what we’ve been up to on our little modern-homesteading adventure — harvesting elephant garlic, drying it in our very glamorous garage drying room, and turning not-quite-perfect dahlias into something surprisingly magical: air-dried petal confetti. But the real reason you need this episode? Because if you went into the holidays with big garden plans and came out the other side thinking, “I’ll do it tomorrow…” (and now it’s basically New Year)… SAME. So I’m giving you my realistic, no-guilt, real-life goal setting method: The 3-Goal Garden Rule for 2026 🌿 Plus, I share my 10-minute Garden Reset you can do anytime you’re feeling behind: ✨ Don’t forget — you’ll find my free gardening guides linked below in the show notes. Whether you’re after a step-by-step plan, a cheat sheet for growing chemical-free, or even my mini lawn care masterclass, they’re waiting to make gardening easier, lighter, and a whole lot more fun. 🎧 Press play, grab your notebook, and get ready to uncover the riches hiding in your garden! If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so you never miss a new garden chat. And if you have a gardening question or topic you’d love me to cover, send me a message — I’d love to hear from you. 🌻 Until next time: remember that gardening can happen in any space, any place, and on any budget. Have an incredibly abundant week — and I’ll buzz you later. 🐝 Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms  Or Grab  ·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.    Freebies: Grab the  -         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden  -         https://stan.store/EstherA  -         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA -         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now -         Mini Masterclass Audio Lawncare basics which has included the Lawn care Mini Masterclass Audio & a Lawn Love Mini Masterclass Companion Guide. https://stan.store/EstherA Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.

    16 min
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About

Hello and Welcome to The Messed Up Gardener. This podcast covers all areas of gardening from a beginner, intermediate to advanced level. It covers gardening on any budget, any space, any place. There are no rules when it comes to me, and my gardens and I do it messy. There is nothing more fun than getting your hands dirty and creating that space that gives you joy and abundance. This podcast will give tips, tricks, hacks and methodology’s to make any space work from the tiny indoor garden to the rolling meadows with even a dash of bees and hydroponics thrown in. I have been a horticulturist for as long as I can remember and in the industry since I was 15 so that’s nearly 30 years of hands on gardening experience. I am really looking forward to being on this journey & doing it messy with you.

Information

  • Creator
    Esther Aitken
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    179
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Messed Up Gardener
  • Show Website
    The Messed Up Gardener