Shows
The Front GardenPlant Life, Purpose and The Chelsea Show with Karen Dickson & Greg Palmer | The Front Garden EP142TL;DRKaren 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 be...
2026-05-0153 minThe Front GardenBuilding Strong Teams with Dean Oliver & Matt Johnston | The Front Garden EP141Dean 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...
2026-04-1548 minThe Front GardenPrecision in the Details with Tomas Runciman | The Front Garden EP140TL;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. Fro...
2026-04-0131 minThe Front GardenCommercial Landscaping, Culture and Growth with Mark Slefendorfas | The Front Garden EP139In this episode…Our host, Adam Hompas, sits down with Mark Slefendorfas, Director of Brocor Group, to talk about building a commercial landscaping business from the ground up.Mark shares how he went from apprentice to business owner, starting out with the idea that it would just be him, one machine and a bit of work on the side, before growing Brocor Group into a large-scale operation delivering commercial landscaping and maintenance across education, aged care and early learning projects.The conversation explores the realities of commercial la...
2026-03-1840 minThe Front GardenRooftop Gardens That Work with Michael Casey | The Front Garden EP138In this episode…Our host, Adam Hompas, sits down with Michael Casey, Director of Evergreen Infrastructure, a specialist in green roofs and green infrastructure for urban, built developments. Michael shares how he found his niche in the early 2000s, why extensive green roofs are among the toughest projects to get right, and what needs to change in the way we design, build, and maintain green infrastructure in Australia.This is an especially valuable listen for landscape construction businesses working on (or curious about) rooftops, podiums, facades, and mul...
2026-03-0445 minThe Front GardenScaling Green: Inside 'Green by Nature's Tech-Driven Growth | The Front Garden EP135In this episode…In this episode of The Front Garden, host Adam Hompas is joined by Mitchell William-Kelly and Jaimee Olsen from Green by Nature to unpack what it really takes to operate one of the largest commercial landscaping and grounds maintenance businesses across Australia and New Zealand.Born from the merger of four established companies, Green by Nature now brings together more than 120 years of collective industry experience. Mitchell shares how the business was strategically restructured into Specialty Services and Landscape Services, allowing the te...
2025-11-2749 minThe Front GardenSustainable Sanctuaries & 3D Design with Natalie Back | The Front Garden EP134In this episode…Our host, Adam Hompas, sits down with landscape designer Natalie Back from Living Earth Design in the Dandenong Ranges to explore how a creek-loving childhood, a passion for plants and chickens, and her studies at Swinburne shaped her values-led approach to gardens. A former LV student member turned full member and business owner, Natalie is carving out a niche for joyful, resilient landscapes that put soil health, biodiversity and edibles at the heart of the design. Natalie talks about designing entirely in 3D with Vectorworks, using immersive walkthroughs to h...
2025-11-1351 minThe Front GardenDiversify to Thrive: Kahl Gaffke’s Regional Growth Story | The Front Garden Ep131TL;DR: Kahl Gaffke reveals how diversification, resilience and family focus built Gaffke’s Gardens & Landscaping into a multi-arm landscaping business ready for interstate growth.In this episode…From mowing lawns with a flat-deck Victa to managing multi-acre government contracts, diversifying into plant propagation, and even launching a NSW branch, Kahl Gaffke’s story is all about building resilience. In this candid chat with our host, Adam Hompas, he shares how Gaffke’s Gardens & Landscaping grew from a one-man maintenance service to a 12-person design, construct and maint...
2025-10-0130 minThe Front GardenRecipe for Landscaping Success: Why Great Gardens Start Below the Surface with Rob Mihailescu | The Front Garden Ep130TL;DR: Former chef turned horticulturist Rob Mihailescu shares how he built The Cutting Hedge into a trusted name by putting soil science and sustainability first. From swales to soil prep, this episode dishes up insights on creating gardens that thrive.In this episode…From the precision of fine dining to the science of soil health, Rob Mihailescu’s career shift from chef to horticulturist is anything but ordinary. Rob shares with our host, Adam Hompas, how his business, The Cutting Hedge, mixes design, horticultural knowledge, and sustainable practice to crea...
2025-09-1738 minThe Front GardenPricing, Permits & Paid Consults: Building Smarter Landscaping Businesses with Angela Maroney | The Front Garden EP129TL;DR: Landscape architect and educator Angela Maroney shares 30+ years of lessons on pricing with confidence, nailing permits and approvals, and switching from free site visits to paid consultations. We dig into systems, time tracking, dispute-prevention, and why continuing education and a strong network protect both your profit and your sanity.In this episode…It’s a masterclass in business smarts on The Front Garden as Adam Hompas sits down with Angela Maroney from Your Landscape Journey. With more than 30 years in the industry across contr...
2025-09-0342 minThe Front GardenBreaking the Silence on Mental Health with Kurt Everard from TIACS | The Front Garden EP128In this episode…It’s a milestone episode for The Front Garden as Adam Hompas takes the reins as host for the very first time. A landscaper by trade and long-time supporter of the show, Adam steps into the role with a powerful conversation featuring Kurt Everard from TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter).TIACS provides free, professional mental health counselling to Australia’s blue-collar workers. Born out of the TradeMutt workwear movement, their mission is simple: break the stigma, make conversations easier, and ensure support is just a...
2025-08-2042 min
The Landscaping PodcastEpisode 233 - 2025 MIFGS Preview interviewsIn this special edition episode, I speak with 20 different people involved in designing and building the show gardens at the 2025 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.It's a great episode to listen to to get a better understanding of the special meanings and inspiration behind some of the gardens, whether attending the show or not.0:00 - Intro3:16 - Trent Cornish - IMG10:28 - Rob Cooper - Distinctive Gardens16:53 - Matt York - Ratio24:09 - Brent Reid - Candeo31:44...
2025-03-231h 48The Landscaping PodcastEpisode 227 - Paul Pritchard and Adam HompasIn this episode I speak with two past guests in Paul Pritchard of Paul Pritchard Landscape Design (ep 69) and Adam Hompas from Adam Hompas Landscapes (ep 66).Paul and Adam are both based in Melbourne, and since being on the podcast in Spring of 2022, they've teamed up to design and build 2 show gardens in the Boutique Garden category at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, and are going back again this year to tackle a large show garden, so we talk about their plans for that, as well as what they've learnt from the...
2025-02-0246 minThe Landscaping PodcastEpisode 184 - 2024 MIFGS previewIn this special edition episode, I speak with 26 different people involved in the 2024 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. There's designers, builders, students and an organiser.The chats were held on the Saturday during construction before the show opens on Wednesday the 20th of March0:00 Intro0:52 Grahame Rowe - Challenger Garden with Charlie Albone4:19 Suzannah Kennett Lister - Wurundjeri Biik Garden with Andrew Laidlaw 8:44 Annika Zetterman - New Nordic Notes with Kajsa Bjorne13:51 Andrew Hopkins - Hopkins Constructions for Landart Landscapes19:10 Dan Foreman - Jack of all trades20:56 Liam...
2024-03-171h 30The Landscaping PodcastThe Landscaping Podcast Ep66 - Adam Hompas - Adam Hompas LandscapesIn this episode I speak with Adam Hompas from Adam Hompas Landscapes, a landscape construction company based in Melbourne.Adam started out working in Commercial Landscaping before moving to domestic landscaping projects and starting his own business, so he talks about the differences between the two sectors.He's currently working with Landscaping Victoria to launch a wellbeing hub, which will be a resource centre for landscapers to go to to be able to get help or education about improving their mental health and that of their employees.Adam also touches on the fact...
2022-09-1847 minThe Front GardenThe Front Garden EP 1 - Adam Hompas - a larrikin, a landscaper, and an LV legend!In the launch episode of The Front Garden, hosts Chris Weiss and Tyson Owen chat with Adam from Adam Hompas Landscapes. Adam summarises his 6 year journey of owning his own business and describes how it was the passion he had that really pushed his business to new heights. Adam, Chris and Tyson discuss their experiences of 2020 and share how COVID has affected them personally and professionally. They share the unexpected positives of going into Stage 4 restrictions - including finding the time to work on improving their businesses and how to move forward, and maintaining good mental health throu...
2020-10-2743 min