Shows
The Tranquil MindBack to School with Dr. Katie Thomson AitkenBack-to-school can be stressful — but it doesn’t have to be. In this solo episode, Dr. Katie shares how to support anxious kids and teens with naturopathic strategies focused on sleep, nutrition, movement, and nervous system regulation. Practical, compassionate, and calm.📥 Download the free Fed & Focused Nutrition ToolkitLooking for support from Dr. Katie Thomson Aitken ND?Follow along on instagram, check out her book, or if you live in Ontario book a strategy session to discuss working with her personally.
2025-08-1926 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 92 The composting fundamentals - anyone can compost at home Urban or ruralHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.I originally had three questions proposed to me around composting and as such I found myself going quite in-depth with their answers. In this episode I cover the fundamentals of composting and also a list of materials and what they are for to get yourself set up with a composting capability in both an urban and a rural environment. I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can b...
2024-08-3120 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 91 What is the true cost of creating a vegetable garden.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.If you are new to the garden scene or you have moved into a new place or are just looking at creating a new vegetable garden - then this episode is for you. I cover a number of pros and cons of establishing your vegetable gardens and cover a list of the top items and roughly their associated costs you will need to create a vegetable garden from start to finish. Of course there are other items that I could have included but for...
2024-08-2423 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 90 Never go hungry with these Top 10 vegetable garden staples.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.Basically I discussed vegetables that you can grow all year round with most of them if you grow them in excess - you can easily store and or freeze the produce with a bit of preparation and fill the freezer for those months that may be a bit lacking in the vegetable garden growth department. Most of these vegetables can be grown in pots and planters as well so in theory no matter where you are and regardless of your budget growing a...
2024-08-1720 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 89 Heading into Spring at full throttle – Priority list.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.Creating my spring priority list is probably the most important part of my growing season. The priority’s I cover in today's episode I can't stress enough how important these priorities are for me and my garden. It's the difference between getting it right for my family so we do have enough produce throughout the spring, summer and autumn growing seasons.I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always...
2024-08-1021 min
The Messed Up GardenerEP 88 Oh dear the in-laws are coming - 5 quick garden colour up hacks that will turn your garden from bla to wow!Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.I loved recording this episode - the person that asked me this question was in a real pinch and we ended up coming up with a number of different methodologies to get her garden looking pretty sharp in a very short amount of time ready for her in-laws. Some of it can be done on the cheap and yes she may have to spend some dosh but ultimately the in-laws will never know how dreary it was before they arrived. I hope y...
2024-08-0314 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 87 Hanging baskets for all seasonsHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.This particular episode as a very casual look at some of the key points you need to grow a successful and vibrant hanging basket basically throughout the whole year. Hanging baskets do require a little bit more maintenance than the average planter box or pot plant but they are worth it especially if you're limited in growing spacesI hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be d...
2024-07-2717 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 86 Growing in & mastering Planter Boxes for all spaces.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.In today's episode, we're diving into the world of planter boxes—your ticket to a flourishing garden, which can happen in any space and in any place and on any budget. Whether you're a budding gardener or a seasoned green thumb, join us as we explore the secrets to growing and mastering planter boxes, turning areas into lush, vibrant oases.I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Garden...
2024-07-2032 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 85: 4 Low Maintenance Gardening Methods I use personally with Fantastic Results.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.I’m all about efficiency this week - I use all four of these low maintenance gardening methods that I talk about in this episode in my own garden and I assure you - I am time poor but I’m still harvesting year-round and my garden thrives. I do cover a number of both pros and cons for each of the 4 low maintenance methods which will hopefully give you an informed idea of what the requirements are if you do choose to instigate one...
2024-07-1325 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 84: Mastering germination and seedling growth.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.If your thinking I can throw some seed into the soil and add a bit of water and poof I have germination and seedlings - how hard can it be – well your not wrong - it does work like that but if you really want to maximise your germination rates and get your best bang for your buck then this episode is for you 😊 I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As al...
2024-07-0622 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 83: 5 Pro tips for managing your seeds from seed set to pre germination.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.In today’s episode we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of seed setting, harvesting, storage, the optimal storage materials and viability testing. Whether you’re a master gardener or just someone with a love for watching things grow, this episode is packed with pro tips and answers to your most pressing questions.Have you ever wondered why some seeds fail to germinate despite your best efforts? Or perhaps you're curious about the precise conditions needed for optimal seed setting in variou...
2024-06-2919 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 82 Preserving your harvests & food storageHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.Due to yet another massive grocery bill I started really thinking about some of the things I used to do to preserve our own food especially when I was growing up and even when I was saving up for my house deposit everything was preserved either frozen or dried and or dehydrated. I remember doing some preservation when my daughter was a Bubba putting Peaches in light syrup things like that. These are recipes & methodologies that the current generation are missing out on and...
2024-06-2223 min
The Messed Up GardenerOrganic gardening 101.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.After talking to a property owner at work this week and their mission to turn their orchard into a certified organic orchard it inspired today’s episode. I’m covering some of the organic growing basics and I have also included a natural weedkiller recipe. DM me if you would like me to send it through to you. I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done i...
2024-06-1522 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 80 Edible landscaping & how you can apply it into your garden.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.After harvesting a bucket full of persimmon fruit out of the garden I realized that most of my garden is made up of an edible landscape and this year we have had almost year round fruit and veg as well as a great amount of insects including butterflies and it fully inspired todays episode. Every day there has been something different going on in the garden. I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to grab one of my gar...
2024-06-0822 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 79 Regenerative gardening. What is it & how to apply it.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.After last week’s episode I was inspired to talk about healing my garden hence todays episode on regenerative gardening. Regenerative gardening is an approach to growing plants that focuses on enhancing the health and vitality of the entire ecosystem within the garden. This method goes beyond the principles of organic gardening by emphasizing the restoration and rejuvenation of the garden's soil, biodiversity, and overall ecological balance. The main goal of regenerative gardening is not only to produce healthy and sustainable crops but...
2024-06-0135 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 78 Common Mistakes Made when Small Space Gardening.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.Gardening in small spaces, including urban areas, presents unique challenges that can lead to common mistakes. Understanding these pitfalls can help gardeners maximize their small-space gardens' potential. In this episode I cover ten of the most common mistakes made when conducting small space gardening and I cover ways in which to avoid and or remedy them.I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in a...
2024-05-2532 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 77 Creating Climate-Resilient GardensHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.Climate-resilient gardening is not just a trend but a necessary shift in how we approach our gardens amidst changing weather patterns and environmental challenges. As gardeners, adopting practices that enhance our gardens' resilience to climate variability brings numerous benefits, vital for both personal satisfaction and the broader ecological impact.I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in any space, in any place and on a...
2024-05-1826 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 76 The ongoing struggle with weeds - is it worth it?Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.Engaging in the ongoing battle against pests and weeds in a garden can sometimes feel like a never ending task, where the fruits of one's labour are often consumed by uninvited guests, or overgrown by opportunistic plants. However, this struggle is not only worth it but integral to the gardening process, in this episode I delve into why its worth the effort with tips and tricks to make it easier. I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to gra...
2024-05-1125 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 75 Cultivating Cash from Your GardenHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.This episode goes deep into a number of questions asked by fallow gardeners as to ways you can monetize your garden with a number of them, I asked myself as I was going through this research journey which has led me to grow our mushrooms and currently looking at utilizing dead space to grow hydroponic lettuces for markets. A gardener might consider monetizing their garden for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it offers an opportunity to offset some of the costs associated with ga...
2024-05-0432 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 74 Getting winter ready with Secrets to a Flourishing Cold-Season GardenHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.Winter gardening presents unique challenges and opportunities, leading gardeners to seek advice on how to navigate the colder months successfully.In this episode I cover a number of gardening secrets that once revealed will totally help your wither garden thrive. I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in any space, in any place and on any budget. Freebies DM me...
2024-04-2721 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 73 Mastering Indoor Winter Plant CareHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.Maintaining indoor plants during the winter months can be a challenging task due to the lower levels of light, drier air, and cooler temperatures. However, with a few strategic moves, you can keep your green friends thriving even during the coldest season. Remember, each plant has its unique needs, so it's important to consider the specific requirements of your indoor garden inhabitants.I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As a...
2024-04-2019 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 72 Rose care from planting to pruning.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.One of my nemesis in the garden has to be the Rose Bush and I say that with much love and affection. Roses love to hate me and I have had to work quite hard for some of my rose bushes to flower exceptionally well over the years. This episode goes over a number of pointers from planting to pruning and of course I had to pop in some equipment maintenance techniques.I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t fo...
2024-04-1321 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 71 Garden structures that successfully enhance plant growth.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.Every year I tell myself I am not going to plant beef steak tomatoes and every year I end up planting them and creating an amazing mess for myself because the fruit are so big and the plants get too big and I end up putting supports in place too late in the season so my fruit sit on the ground and rot or the plants themselves get diseased. This year however I was a little bit more onto it and as such I...
2024-04-0820 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 75 Cultivating Cash from Your GardenHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.This episode goes deep into a number of questions asked by fallow gardeners as to ways you can monetize your garden with a number of them, I asked myself as I was going through this research journey which has led me to grow our mushrooms and currently looking at utilizing dead space to grow hydroponic lettuces for markets. A gardener might consider monetizing their garden for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it offers an opportunity to offset some of the costs associated with ga...
2024-04-0632 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 70 Tired Gardens? No problem! here are a few easy ways to revive it.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.With the change in seasons gardens can get very tired looking. This episode looks at some simple ways to revive a tired old garden, I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in any space, in any place and on any budget. Freebies DM me for:Nasturtium Pesto recipe.If you are ready to grab a freebi...
2024-03-3019 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 69 Passive gardening secrets revealed.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.With the jostle of todays pressures to get a million things done in a day - the garden is often the last thing that is managed. Especially in my household with a preteen, a partner that runs several business and my own endeavors. This episode looks at a number of ways to passively garden and still have it looking amazing and productive for the least amount of work.I hope you enjoy today's episode.Don’t forget to grab one of my ga...
2024-03-2316 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 68 Effective ways to maximize garden harvests using recycled materials.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.I had an interesting discussion this week around using recycled materials in the garden and especially because I use a lot of recycled beehive boxes after the bees have finished with them. It prompted me to have a chat about some of the items that I use in our garden that saves me heap of money and in some cases highly benefit the environment. In this episode I go over a few different uses of how I do use the honey beehive boxes and...
2024-03-1621 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 67 The top 10 plants to grow in your garden for home remedy utilization.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.Over the last few years I regularly get asked about growing herbs and making home remedies is something I just grew up with as a day-to-day regular event - little did I know that it wasn't the norm. So in this episode I cover 10 common herbs to grow in your garden especially for home remedy utilization and I also cover quite in-depthly how to utilize sage as a home purifier. I guess if it's not something you grew up with then it may be...
2024-03-1019 min
The Messed Up GardenerEP 66 Thinking of Planting Subtropical’s in your garden? Then ask yourself these questions first.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.In today's episode I go into a little bit of depth around the type of questions you would be asking yourself if you are looking at growing subtropical plants in your gardens - now surprisingly subtropical plants are more popular then you think, I also cover a few very basic subtropical fruits you can grow in your garden with very little extra time or care required and you'll probably find you already have one of these 5 growing in your garden. I hope y...
2024-03-0217 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 65 Creating the right privacy screen in your garden.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.As our population grows so does the housing density around our homes. What used to be a quaint small 2 bedroom home next door with the sweetest older couple has been rebuilt and is now a massive 3 bedroom home that looks straight into our section and lounge with new tenants that have filled every room. It has removed all of our and their privacy. It took my partner and I on a whole new gardening mission this week making it the perfect topic for this...
2024-02-1716 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 64 Parks & Garden Tree Maintenance with or without Herbicides?Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.How many of our parks & gardens have their big majestic trees managed with the use of herbicides to suppress the weeds at the base of the trees which at the end of the day is mostly only completed / treated for aesthetics. We already know that there are several effective alternative methods for managing weeds around the base of a tree without resorting to using herbicides and this episode looks at some of these alternative methods of weed suppression. Let me know your t...
2024-02-1019 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 63 Diabetic Friendly Gardening - What Vegetables to avoid & What to grow more of.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.When garden planning I have always promoted knowing what it is to grow enough for your family's needs and in this case grow what will benefit your family the most. With the health changes in my family situation I have had to take a good look at what to focus on and it isnt the normal staples. In todays episode I go deep into the what Im going to grow less of and what I'm going to grow more off especially as we now have a...
2024-02-0421 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 62 The Hype Behind Edible Flowers.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.For that average family dinner its not common to add flowers into a salad.However, Edible flowers are a fun and unique way to add a burst of colour and flavour to your meals. Edible flowers can be grown at home and you would be surprised what you already have growing in your garden at home. You don’t have to go to a 5star restaurant to experience fine dinning you can do that in your own home from items found right her...
2024-01-2815 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 61 Reflecting back over the last 4 Seasons and the lessons learned.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.No matter how experienced you are in the garden you are bound to mess up and because I know I make mistakes I will never claim to be a master Gardner. In this episode I cover 3 of my probably biggest Boo boos over the last year and I acknowledged with the bad weather that I haven't spent as much time in the garden as I would have liked but these are and were easily avoidable whoopsies ultimately they cost me time, money and several...
2024-01-2015 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 60 Dry, Hot Garden? – Here are some Easy ways to conserve water while still maximizing your garden health.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.New Zealand lately has been experiencing some ridiculously hot days and as such of course the gardens are suffering. Water in New Zealand especially if you're in town can be quite expensive as well and although we have not yet been slammed with water restrictions we know that they're coming. So in this episode I have covered a number of ways to conserve water in your garden so that you can still maintain a healthy sustainable gardening crop. Let me know if you have...
2024-01-1340 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 59 Growing Garden Plants Ideal for Arts & Crafts.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener.Todays episode is a bit of a general overview in growing garden plants that are ideal for arts and crafts. This is especially handy if you have young children or grand babies who love to create home made gifts. Why not teach them that the garden not only provides food but also resources for home made crafts such as dried flower arrangements and lotions & potions. Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done i...
2024-01-0620 min
The Messed Up GardenerAvoiding Gardening Burnout, Overwhelm & StressHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. This year has been a bit of a hot mess and that includes my garden. In this episode I cover tips that can help a gardener avoid garden burnout, overwhelm and stress. Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in any space, in any place and on any budget. Freebies DM me for:Nasturtium Pesto recipe.If you are ready to grab a freebie...
2023-12-0222 min
The Messed Up GardenerEP 56 Growing Citrus without DramaHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. In most gardens you will find a citrus tree and if you are not necessarily green thumbed then that can potentially be slightly problematic to grow. This episode covers a few growing tips that can help get you a most abundant crop of fruit regardless if it is being grown in a pot or in open soil.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in any space, in any place and on an...
2023-11-2519 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 55 Simple Vegetables for all year-round harvests.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. While planning my next few planting crop rotations I was looking at what vegetables I grew all year round that feeds my daughter and I. I cover a number of vegetables that are root and leaf crops all of which are highly nutritious and that mostly store well for food preservation. Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in any space, in any place and on any budget. Freebie...
2023-11-1820 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 54 Tips for Cultivating Acid-Loving PlantsHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. The episode is a very generalised conversation about some of the different methodologies that are used to grow acid loving plants including hydrangeas. It’s truly surprising the different growing methods needed to help your acid loving plants thrive including camellias and super fruits such as the yummy blueberry. Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in any space, in any place and on any budget. Freebies DM me for:
2023-11-1118 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 53 Let’s Talk all things Sexual & Asexual Plant Propagation.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. There are so many different ways that nature reproducers and how as humans we have adapted to replicate those forms of reproduction. So much of our horticultural industry is based on asexual plant propagation that if those skills were lost it could be detrimental to the survival of the human population. Some of these methods are also utilised to preserve plant varieties that may have already have disappeared if it was not for asexual propagation techniques such as grafting or budding. The episode is a...
2023-11-0419 min
The Messed Up GardenerChat 10 Quick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Prickles in the Lawn and how to treat them.Hi and welcome back to The Messed Up Gardener My name is Esther Aitken and I am your host for todays 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. I keep getting questions from my amazing listeners that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, and as the last 10min or less quick & messy garden chats have been so successful I figured I'd keep recording them. Please keep sending me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I can accommodate them as either a quick & messy or as a formal podcast episode. This week...
2023-10-3109 min
The Messed Up GardenerEP 52 Must Do’s to Grow a Bumper Crop of Potatoes - Ready for Christmas.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. This episode is a bit of a special one it is my 52nd episode so celebrating the messed up Gardner podcasts first year anniversary. And what better way to celebrate then discussing a versatile root crop that is a must for all sustainable gardens. This episode covers several must know’s to grow a bumper crop of potatoes then in this case I'm going to be utilising to have my crop ready for Christmas.A traditional staple such as the humble potato whe...
2023-10-2821 min
The Messed Up GardenerChat 10 Quick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Cover crops what are they & are they just for over wintering?Hi and welcome back to The Messed Up Gardener My name is Esther Aitken and I am your host for todays 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. I keep getting questions from my amazing listeners that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, and as the last 10min or less quick & messy garden chats have been so successful I figured I'd keep recording them. Please keep sending me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I can accommodate them as either a quick & messy or as a formal podcast episode. This week...
2023-10-2410 min
The Messed Up GardenerEP 51 -Developing low maintenance systems to enable gardening with an injury while still remaining staunchly self-sufficient.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. With a nasty but injury I am having to reevaluate how I manage my garden and all I can say it hasn’t been fun. In this episode I have gone through a number of items that help keep your gardening low maintenance while still being able to achieve self-sufficiency. But one of the biggest lessons I have learned is to practice patience and ask for help where needed. Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always G...
2023-10-2115 min
The Messed Up GardenerQuick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Mealybug what they are & how to eradicate them.Hi and welcome back to The Messed Up Gardener My name is Esther Aitken and I am your host for todays 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. I keep getting questions from my amazing listeners that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, and as the last 10min or less quick & messy garden chats have been so successful I figured I'd keep recording them. Please keep sending me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I can accommodate them as either a quick & messy or as a formal podcast episode. This week...
2023-10-1708 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 50 Growing Your Best Cucumbers and Courgettes and how to preserve & store the excess.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. Todays episode covers 2 vegetables well technically they are fruits that are fairly expensive to buy even when in season mostly because they do not have a very extensive shelf life but they're such versatile vegetables for everyday cooking. In this episode I cover the best way to grow cucumbers and courgettes and how to preserve the excess harvests for future use so your not wasting a single bit of produce including a fabulous pickling recipe and a few proven powdery mildew natural recipes that y...
2023-10-1426 min
The Messed Up GardenerQuick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Roses and Colour ReversionHi and welcome back to The Messed Up Gardener My name is Esther Aitken and I am your host for todays 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. I keep getting questions from my amazing listeners that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, and as the last 10min or less quick & messy garden chats have been so successful I figured I'd keep recording them. Please keep sending me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I can accommodate them as either a quick & messy or as a formal podcast episode. This week...
2023-10-1006 min
The Messed Up GardenerEP 49 Growing Your Best Capsicums & Tomatoes and how to Preserve & Store the excessHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. Todays episode covers 2 vegetables that are fairly expensive to buy even when in season. In this episode I cover the best way to grow them and how to preserve the excess harvests for future use so your not wasting a single bit of produce. I have also included an old fashioned tomato sauce recipe and a natural recipe to treat sap sucking insects. Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in any sp...
2023-10-0725 min
The Messed Up GardenerQuick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Why plants, Why this career path? A Up close & Personal Answer.Hi and welcome back to The Messed Up Gardener My name is Esther Aitken and I am your host for todays 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. I keep getting questions from my amazing listeners that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, and as the last 10min or less quick & messy garden chats have been so successful I figured I'd repeat it. Please keep sending me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I can accommodate them as either a quick & messy or as a formal podcast episode. A Work coll...
2023-10-0310 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp48 - From Gusts to Growth: How to Protect Your Plants from Windy WeatherHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. If you have a garden then you have come across this Beastie before and that is the spring winds or wind in general regardless of the season. In this particular episode I cover some methodologies on how to establish your gardens with wind protection and also what some of the symptoms of wind damage on plants can look like and ways to assist and the plants recovery.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can b...
2023-09-3020 min
The Messed Up GardenerQuick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: How do you know if your garden environment is healthy?Hi and welcome back to The Messed Up Gardener My name is Esther Aitken and I am your host for todays 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. I keep getting questions from my amazing listeners that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, and as the last 10min or less quick & messy garden chats have been so successful I figured I'd repeat it. Please keep sending me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I can accommodate them as either a quick & messy or as a formal podcast episode. Daniel P from...
2023-09-2609 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 47 - Supermarket Fruit & Veggies Verses Growing Your Own.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. How many of us buy fruit and vegetables from the supermarket when in fact we could be growing our own. Is it because we are lazy? short on space? don't have the technical know how as to how to grow our own? This episode goes into depth on a number of these issues and if you're a beginner I do cover some of the basic tools and items you need if you are wanting to start to grow vegetables and or fruit trees instead o...
2023-09-2326 min
The Messed Up GardenerQuick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: What kind of soil is best for growing plants in the garden?Hi and welcome back to The Messed Up Gardener My name is Esther Aitken and I am your host for todays 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. I keep getting questions from my amazing listeners that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, and as the last 10min or less quick & messy garden chats have been so successful I figured I'd repeat it. Please keep sending me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I can accommodate them as either a quick & messy or as a formal podcast episode. WP from the...
2023-09-1908 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 46 - Sustainable Roots: Cultivating a Greener Future with Permaculture.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. An exciting style of gardening would have to be permaculture. Now if you've never heard of it before you're going to enjoy this episode. It ties in a number of general gardening practices that can make a big difference in creating a sustainable productive way to garden regardless if you live in an urban or rural environment. Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in any space, in any place and on any...
2023-09-1636 min
The Messed Up GardenerQuick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: What are some Indoor plants for low light or shaded areas?Hi and welcome back to The Messed Up Gardener My name is Esther Aitken and I am your host for todays 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. I keep getting questions from my amazing listeners that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, and as the last 10min or less quick & messy garden chats have been so successful I figured I'd keep recording them. Please keep sending me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I can accommodate them as either a quick & messy or as a formal podcast episode. This week...
2023-09-1210 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 45 - Are you Spring ready? No? This Spring Garden Task List May Help.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. The winter season seemed to have flown by this year and Ill be honest I wasn’t really as prepared as I hoped I would be. As a result I sat down and wrote out my task list for Spring and I hope it is helpful for you as well. I have also included a few recipes for tool cleaning solutions that may be helpful as well as a few natural soil sterilant’ s that I have successfully used in the past. Don’t...
2023-09-0923 min
The Messed Up GardenerQuick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Easy To Grow & Hard to Kill Indoor Plants.Quick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Easy To Grow & Hard to Kill Indoor Plants. Hi and welcome back to The Messed Up Gardener My name is Esther Aitken and I am your host for todays 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. I keep getting questions from my amazing listeners that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, and as the last 10min or less quick & messy garden chats have been so successful I figured I'd keep recording them. Please keep sending me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I...
2023-09-0509 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 44 – A Cheats Guide To Successful Composting.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. Gone are the days where creating compost was a big garden chore requiring a lot of work and a lot of space with the process taking ages for it to decompose to a state that it was ready for use around the gardens. This episode looks at the methodology of compost making with several tips on how to cheat and still achieve beautiful, rich compost, saving you loads of cash at the same time. Don’t forget to grab one of my garde...
2023-09-0229 min
The Messed Up GardenerQuick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Hot Tips To Keeping Planters HydratedHi and welcome back to The Messed Up Gardener My name is Esther Aitken and I am your host for todays 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. I keep getting questions from my amazing listeners that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, and as the last 10min or less quick & messy garden chats have been so successful I figured I'd keep recording them. Please keep sending me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I can accommodate them as either a quick & messy or as a formal podcast episode. This...
2023-08-2910 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 43 - Ways to Improve your Garden Biodiversity & Why it’s important.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. Biodiversity is the diversity of life forms on Earth, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. It is essential to maintain a healthy and functioning ecosystem. By adding biodiversity to your garden, you can create a habitat that supports a wide range of species and promotes a healthy ecosystem. So here are a number of things you can do to improve your garden biodiversity and watch your garden thrive.Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can b...
2023-08-2623 min
The Messed Up GardenerQuick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Planting as per the instructions on the label.Hi and Welcome Back to The Messed Up Gardener My name is Esther Aitken and I am your host for todays 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. I keep getting questions from my amazing listeners that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, and as the last 10min or less quick & messy garden chats have been so successful I figured I'd repeat it. Please keep sending me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I can accommodate them as either a quick & messy or as a formal podcast episode. This week’s ques...
2023-08-2209 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 42 - Beating Garden Droughts with these Hot Tips.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. We all know that maintaining a garden can be a rewarding experience, but it can be challenging when there's a drought and you almost feel like you're working doubly as hard just to get some produce out of your garden. And if there's a drought the harvested produce just does not taste as fresh or as crisp as what they would normally do if the weather behaved itself.So here are a number of things you can do to keep your garden f...
2023-08-1921 min
The Messed Up GardenerQuick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Tips to cost effectively maximize your current landscape.Hi and welcome back to The Messed Up Gardener.my name is Esther Aitken and I am your host for todays 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. As I previously mentioned I wanted to try something a little different. I keep getting questions that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, and as the last 10min or less quick & messy garden chat was so successful I figured I'd repeat it. Please keep sending me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I can accommodate them as either a quick & messy or as a fo...
2023-08-1508 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 41- Garden Events Pro’s Cons & How To Do’sHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. Garden locations for events are often thought to be a cheaper and easier alternative to the traditional hire an event location. Sadly, this isn't always the case. The financial cost can often escalate because the gardens need to be updated, made safe and the decorations for the event can often blow the budget out of proportion. This episode covers a number of event preparations that need to be considered and planned for when having an outdoor garden event. Hopefully this helps you in keeping y...
2023-08-1223 min
The Messed Up GardenerQuick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Hot Garden Money Saving Tips Using Cold FramesHi and welcome to back The Messed-Up Gardener and this 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. As I previously mentioned I wanted to try something a little different. I keep getting questions that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, and as the last 10min or less quick & messy garden chat was so successful I figured I'd repeat it. Please keep sending me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I can accommodate them as either a quick & messy or as a formal podcast episode. This week’s question from Sara was what’s your favouri...
2023-08-0808 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 40 - Weeding 101 - Tips and Tricks for a Beautiful GardenHello and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. Weeding your garden is an essential task that helps to keep it healthy and thriving. Weeds are unwanted plants that grow alongside the desired plants in your garden and compete with them for resources such as water, nutrients, and sunlight. If left unchecked, weeds can quickly overtake your garden and cause your plants to struggle or even die.In this episode I go through a number of tips that help in weeding with ease and safety. I also include a number of n...
2023-08-0527 min
The Messed Up GardenerQuick & Messy 10min or Less Garden Chat: 3 hot tips a new gardener needs to know to start a garden.Hi and welcome to back The Messed-Up Gardener and this 10 min or less quick & messy garden chat. I wanted to try something a little different. I keep getting questions that do not fill my traditional weekly podcast, so I figured why not do them as a 10min or less quick & messy garden chat. Please send me any gardening questions and I’ll see if I can accommodate them as either a quick & messy or as a formal podcast episode. Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in any...
2023-08-0107 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 39 - Key Steps in Planning & Designing a New GardenHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. Planning and designing a new garden is so special because it allows you to create a unique space that reflects your personal style and preferences. It allows you to choose plants, colors, and textures that bring you joy and enhance your outdoor living experience. Additionally, a well-designed garden can add value to your property and create a more inviting atmosphere for you and your guests. It matters because it provides a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment to create a beautiful and functional outdoor space t...
2023-07-2929 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 38 – From Spores to Harvest: A Guide to Growing Mushrooms at HomeHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. Growing mushrooms at home can be a great idea for several reasons. Firstly, it is a fun and rewarding hobby that can bring a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Secondly, it allows you to have fresh and organic mushrooms at your fingertips, which can save you money in the long run. Additionally, growing mushrooms at home can reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating the need for transportation and packaging. Finally, mushrooms are a nutritious and delicious addition to your diet, and growing them yourself e...
2023-07-2227 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 37 - Growing Without Soil: An Introduction to Hydroponic Gardening.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. Hydroponic gardening is an interesting topic for several reasons. Firstly, it allows for plants to be grown in a soil-free environment, which can be beneficial in areas where soil quality is poor or limited. Additionally, hydroponic gardening can lead to higher crop yields and faster growth rates compared to traditional soil-based methods. It also allows for more precise control over plant nutrients and water supply, resulting in healthier plants. Finally, hydroponic gardening is a sustainable and space-efficient method of agriculture, making it a popular c...
2023-07-1528 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 36 - Let’s Talk All Things Potting & Re-Potting Plants - Your Q’s & My A’s.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. I've had a couple of questions lately around potting & repotting of plants and especially with the economy being way more scary lately with things being so expensive that in the old days even I wouldn't even hesitate to throw out old potting mix into the garden simply because I could go out and buy another bag of potting mix but now not so much.In this episode I go through a number of the questions that I have been asked including how y...
2023-07-0829 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 35 - A Behind the Scenes Look at Kiwifruit $$$ Growing. From Pollination to Picking & Everything In Between.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. I'm really excited about this particular episode. I'm going to talk to you about my Kiwifruit journey this past year and some of my packhouse days. Today's topic is going to be including working with customers to pollinate their plants an seeing what orchardists are doing to grow their crops and being part of a harvesting team and the processes around that and that next step of watching and seeing the Kiwi fruit being processed in an actual Kiwi fruit packhouse. For th...
2023-07-0131 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 34 - Let’s Talk All Things Cuttings & Propagation.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. There is so much information out there about cuttings and how to take them and How to effectively propagate that it can be overwhelming. In this episode I have broken it down into simple steps with examples that even the kids can help with. Learning the skill of taking cuttings it's such an amazing rite of passage when it comes to sustainable gardening and providing food for your family and potentially developing this skill can help with saving a heap of money on creating e...
2023-06-2428 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 33 – Garden Fertilizers What, How, When & Why.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. Fertilizing the garden is not something that should be looked at by the gardener as an other garden chore but as an exciting opportunity for a soil refresh and new growth which in turn produces more abundance in the garden and healthy food options in our kids bellies. Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in any space in any place and on any budget. Freebies DM me for:
2023-06-1730 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 32 - Slugs, Snails, Ants & All things Garden Creepy Crawlies.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. This year it has been one disappointing thing after another in my garden and the increase in insect activity is absolutely doing my head in. In this case I'm referring to slugs and snails chewing through my garden as if it is their own personal buffet. In this episode I go through and give some practical tips on how to deal with some of the biggest pests in your garden. No not all of my practises have been organic but I do tr...
2023-06-1031 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 31 - Can Hedging & Shelterbelts Be Key to a New Form of Urban Forestation? I Think So & Here’s Why.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. I love this topic, planting hedging and shelterbelts are not just about creating a fencing boundary for your property, but it is an opportunity for so much more! It creates a feature, a potential option for sustainable gardening, property value increases and it has a list of environmental benefits. But like all things hedging and shelterbelts do come with maintenance costs but what doesn’t. I cover some of my favourite hedging options and different ways to grow your hedging like...
2023-06-0328 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 30 - From Frosty to Flourishing: Overcoming the Challenges of Cold Weather Gardening.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. The weather has been so horrible and as we are only a few days away from winter I felt it was a highly appropriate topic choice. There are so many challenges to overcome in winter gardening that I do not blame you one bit for wanting to wrap yourself in a blanket and sit and read a good book or watch Netflix late into the night, but winter gardening can be so beneficial while still producing harvestable crops and with the added bonus give y...
2023-05-2728 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 29 - Proven Tips to Mastering the Art of Self - Sustainable Gardening.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. The word sustainable is thrown around so much these days that its almost losing its impact and its true meaning is almost lost in all the noise which is why I figured bringing it back to basics would be a fun topic. As the podcast episode title suggests I promised some sustainable gardening tips and I came up with several tips that I practice and have had proven results that are sustainable that matches my motto of Gardening Can Happen In An...
2023-05-2023 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 28 - A Few Gardening Questions Answered – Algae, Garlic, Watering, fertilizers, & RepottingHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. Over the last few months I have been accumulating the questions that listeners of this podcast have sent me for which I’m very grateful and a few have duplicated and were quite seasonal in nature, so I figured it’s a perfect time to chat about them. I hope that some of the questions I covered today were helpful and if you do have any gardening questions, please do reach out. I'm going to keep compiling a list and Ill do an episode on a b...
2023-05-1327 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 27 - The Sound of Water How & Why to Add & Maintain Water Features in Your Indoor or Outdoor Garden SpaceHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. The sound of gently moving water in your environment can create a feeling of peace and tranquility but there are also so many positive environmental reasons to have a water feature in your garden. They don’t have to be expensive, and they can be created from simple materials. I discuss my pond feature that I have had with me for the last 15 years and it has moved with me twice so even if you are renting having a water feature is possible and eas...
2023-05-0633 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 26 - Mastering the Art of Worm Farming – It’s so simple any one can have one.Hi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. In today’s episode I work through the benefits of having worms in the garden and the reasons to have a worm farm as well as a basic methodology of how to create your own worm farm for very little cost. I absolutely love having my worm farm and I hope I can inspire you to create one for yourself and if you already have one, I hope there are some gardening tips that will make it even more productive. Don’t forget...
2023-04-2933 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 24 – The Garden of Lies: Uncovering the Truth behind Organic Gardening MythsHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. In today’s episode I work through debunking 11 organic gardening myths, I had so much fun researching this topic which stemmed from a conversation I had with a friend regarding gardening styles and a comment she made as to how she can’t do organic gardening because it was just too expensive, and she didn’t have the space to grow organically and still get a sustainable crop out of it. I know from experience that it is untrue, so I set out to debunk...
2023-04-1530 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 23 – Bulb Boosters: Tips for Growing Beautiful Bulb Blooms No Matter the SeasonHi and Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener. In today’s episode I go through the steps to growing bulbs successfully no matter what the season is and ensuring that your bulb gardens stay healthy and produce blooms season after season. Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in any space in any place and on any budget. Freebies DM me for:Nasturtium Pesto recipe.The Free TMUG 12 Step Guide to Creating...
2023-04-0829 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 22 – The Ultimate Autumn Gardening Checklist:10 Key Chores You Can’t Skip.Hi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener. In today’s episode I go through 10 chores that I myself utilize in my garden heading into Autumn to maximize my gardens growing potential and make my life way easier going into spring. Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. As always Gardening can be done in any space in any place and on any budget. Freebies DM me for:Nasturtium Pesto recipe.The Free TMUG 12 Step Guide to Creating Healthy Soils in...
2023-04-0127 min
The Messed Up GardenerEp 21 – Green Thumbs Up for these 6 Tips to Maximize Your Garden's Growing PotentialHi and welcome to another episode of the messed-up gardener. In today’s episode I go through 6 tips that I myself utilize in my garden to maximize my gardens growing potential. Including covering edible landscapes, square foot gardening and cold frames and yes, this time I did remember to include the plant of the week :-) I apologize for the occasional sniffle as I have a nasty bout of hay fever. Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees As always Gardening can be done in any space in any place and on any b...
2023-03-2537 min
Aitken Partners - Legal Partners for LifeAitken Partners Owners Corporation - Mock VCAT Hearing - December 2022In December 2022, Aitken Partners hosted a mock VCAT hearing for an Owners Corporation Debt Recovery Hearing. This video is a recording of that session.
Aitken Partners is one of the most experienced law firms in Melbourne, representing clients from across the private and business sectors for nearly 100 years. We work for you, providing one-on-one consultations to better understand the finer details of your matters and to deliver a more personalised and supportive form of legal representation.
Our staff are approachable, compassionate and dedicated, standing up for you and your interests throughout the various legal processes an...
2022-12-161h 15
Aitken Partners - Legal Partners for LifeOnline Defamation Update | A Business Law BreakfastIn the age of technology, it has become too easy for people to pick up their smartphone and jump onto social media or Google and make public their views – whether fact or fiction – about virtually anything.
But is it defamatory, and what are your rights? And what happens if the comments are posted on a social media page hosted by you or your organisation?
Defamation is a complex legal issue, and in this session, we will guide you through the changing landscape for when you are defamed and for when you are responsible for the defa...
2022-10-2058 min
Let's Biz You UpWelcome to the Let's Biz You Up PodcastWelcome to the Let's Biz You Up Podcast. The 1st Episode is going to go live in the 1st week of November 2022. Subscribe so you don't miss it. It's a jucy one. I'm really excited to bring you all things life an business related. You can find me on Instagram @bizyouup or @esther.aitken or Facebook Esther Aitken Let's see where life takes us, come join the madness and be sure to hit the follow or subscribe button and never miss an episode of the Let's Biz You Up Podcast.
2022-10-1602 min
Aitken Partners - Legal Partners for LifeBusiness Law Breakfast | Objecting to Land Tax Notices (July 2022)In Everything You Need to Know About Objecting to Property Rating Valuations, we look at the processes behind lodging objections and some of the triggers to be aware of when it comes to making an objection.
These valuations directly relate to the Council Rates and Land Tax you pay, and recently we have successfully represented a number of clients in VCAT in land tax objections. It is important you make sure these valuations are right.
In this Business Law Breakfast Seminar and Webinar, we will look at some of the key factors in what leads to an obje...
2022-07-2850 min
Aitken Partners - Legal Partners for LifeEmployment Law 2022 - An Aitken Partners Business Law Breakfast June 2022A change in Federal Government and the impacts of the COVID pandemic have altered the employment landscape in 2022, but what are the changes we know and what might we expect?
Our panel, featuring the head of Aitken Partners' Employment Law team, Stephen Curtain, lawyer Zoe Zhou and the Chief Operating Officer of IPA Recruitment Services, Paul Barbaro will look at:
Employees or contractors and the consequences of getting it wrong
Current Labor Party policy and what might that mean in government
The employment marketplace
Wages – are they on the rise?
Trends in the workplace
Update on recent em...
2022-06-2359 min
Aitken Partners - Legal Partners for LifeDysfunctional Owners Corporations with Aitken Partnersin this Webinar with the Aitken Partners Owners Corporation team, we will look at Dysfunctional OCs and what that means to the OC.
If you are a member or a manager of an Owners Corporation (OC), you will be aware of the many problems that can render an OC dysfunctional.
But what does that mean, and how does it get fixed?
There are many reasons for this dysfunctionality, ranging from one member’s lack of participation in the decision-making process or meetings to more serious actions such as fraud or a general lack of und...
2022-03-0328 min
Aitken Partners - Legal Partners for Life2021-08-Business Resilience WebinarIn this Webinar as part of our Business Law Breakfast Series, our panel explores business resilience and how heightened resilience can help your business power through the issues of today with an eye on the future.
At the heart of the topic is both transformational change and mental health among the leaders of a business and its staff.
For the video of this webinar, please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5sYIvltlKg
Our panel included:
Alex Nicol, Principal | Aitken Partners
Alex is a Principal with...
2021-09-021h 03
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