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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.
159 Episodes
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This week in the garden has been full of surprises — tomato flowers already popping, zucchinis producing their first harvest despite frosty mornings, and hubby’s sunflowers growing like they’re on steroids. We’ve even adopted a scruffy little black kitten who’s decided my husband is “his person” (much to his delight and my eye-rolling amusement). Between all that chaos and progress, I’ve been reminded of something important: our surroundings deeply affect how we feel. A thriving zucchini, a c...
What a week it’s been! Between wild spring winds rattling our roof, chasing runaway bins down the orchard driveway, and watching trees topple across town, it’s been chaos out there. But amidst the gusts and garden madness, there’s also been joy—sunflowers planted, dahlias popping, capsicums cranking in the greenhouse, and the chickens back in full laying mode. This week’s episode is all about weekend wins—the little jobs that make your garden look like you’ve spent days working, when really i...
What if your garden was hiding treasures you’ve been walking past every day? 🌱 In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, I’m digging into seven overlooked “goldmines” that can save you money, grow healthier plants, and make your garden feel abundant without another trip to the garden centre. From tired old potting mix that still has life left, to self-seeding volunteers, fallen leaves, kitchen scraps, rainwater, and even weeds — you’ll learn how to spot hidden value and put it to work. ...
Spring has officially arrived — but if you’re feeling a little behind in the garden (like I am this year after our big move!), don’t worry. In this week’s episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, I’m sharing how five tiny, under-20-minute tweaks can transform your garden in just five days. We’ll talk about the power of micro-actions — the little shifts that deliver big rewards — and I’ll walk you through five quick wins you can try this week: These are simple, low-cost actions with a hi...
Hello and welcome back to another episode of The Messed-Up Gardener! I’m Esther Williams, your host, and as always — I’m absolutely buzzed to be here with you today. Over the past two episodes, we’ve been digging deep into the Doomsday Garden Kit: what you’d pack if you had to grow food from scratch in a survival situation. And wow… the response has been incredible. You sent me so many questions that I had to dedicate this final part of the series to answering them directly. But f...
Last week’s episode on the Doomsday Garden Kit got a huge response — and my inbox lit up with questions! One of you cheeky listeners asked, “Ok Esther, you’ve told us how to grow the food… but how do we actually cook it, store it, and not lose our minds while doing it?” Fair point — so today, we’re diving into Part 2. In this episode, I’ll walk you through: 🌱 Fuel & cooking (because you can’t eat raw kumara forever) 🌱 The garden first-aid kit: aloe, kawakawa, calendula & g...
What would you grab if you had to start your garden all over again — from scratch — in the middle of chaos? In this episode of The Messed Up Gardener, I get real about resilience, self-sufficiency, and the not-so-crazy idea of a gardener’s doomsday kit. From heirloom seeds (your real survival currency) to low-tech tools, soil starters, water hacks, and even what’s worth bartering when the shelves run bare — this is the honest chat most gardeners haven’t had yet. It’s not abo...
Hello and welcome to another episode of The Messed-Up Gardener—your go-to podcast and mini masterclasses for all things gardening! I’m your host, Esther Williams, and I’m absolutely buzzed to be here with you today. In this episode, I’m inviting you to pause, reflect, and give your garden (and yourself) a seasonal mindset reset. Whether you're knee-deep in weeds or quietly sipping tea while watching seedlings grow, this one’s for you. It’s what I call the 3×3 Garden Reset: 🌿 Three things to ...
This week’s episode is bursting with everything you need to know to get a jumpstart on your spring garden — even if your backyard currently looks like a soggy mess! Join me, Esther Williams, as I walk you through exactly what to plant, prep, plan, and prioritise in the first week of August so you don’t end up scrambling when spring finally hits. From garlic planting before the “oops window” closes, to giving your tools and seed stash the love they deserve, this episode is a practical, relaxed...
This week, frosty mornings have been turning our routines upside down—defrosting the cars has been chaos! But you know what? Those frosts have been amazing for our kiwifruit vines, naturally clearing out bugs and even knocking back those pesky wasp nests that have plagued our bees all season. Nature doing its thing—gotta love it! Welcome back to The Messed-Up Gardener! I’m Esther Williams, and I’m buzzing to be here with you for another episode full of garden inspiration and real-life updates...
In this delightfully dirt-under-the-nails episode, Esther dives into a surprisingly sudsy topic—soap plants! That's right—your garden can grow more than veggies and flowers. It can grow your cleaning products too! From traditional soapwort and yucca roots to soothing calendula, moisturizing aloe vera, and even homegrown loofah sponges, this episode covers everything you need to grow your own garden-to-bathroom soap bar. Esther even shares a DIY gardener’s hand scrub soap recipe—perfect for po...
Get ready to reclaim your garden from bugs the natural way! In this episode, I’m sharing how to grow a living “bug-off” shield with plants like lavender, lemongrass, mint, basil, and more—plus super simple herbal remedies to soothe bites and protect your family (especially the little ones). I’ll also be talking about how to create a kid-friendly “No-Bite Zone” that’s as magical as it is practical. And of course, I’ll share some fun personal updates on launching my own business, battling midge...
Hello, green thumbs and fellow dirt enthusiasts! In this jam-packed episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, I’m taking you behind the glossy aisles and shiny displays of your local garden centre to reveal the 5 things they don’t want you to know—so you’ll keep coming back! I share some juicy truths and personal stories from my years working in garden centres, from the early days at 15 to some cheeky insider tricks I picked up along the way. Learn why those cute little starter packs often set you u...
In this episode, I share a not-so-glamorous but super important topic: those garden allergies that can sneak up on you like a nosy neighbour in your compost pile. From itchy eyes and runny noses to surprise skin rashes—gardening doesn’t always play nice! We’ll uncover the most common allergy triggers lurking in your backyard—like pollen, moldy compost, and even the fuzz on tomato stems. Plus, I’ll spill the dirt on natural ways to soothe the itchies and sniffles without losing your love for y...
Join me, Esther Williams, as I peel back the layers of my own journey—stepping away from the 9-to-5, facing down fear and self-doubt, and turning to the garden as my path to nourishment, strength, and true growth. In this powerful episode, I share how growing antioxidant-rich fruits, veggies, and herbs isn’t just about what’s on your plate—it’s about rewriting the rules for your health and your life. From juicy blueberries to the mighty kale, from herbal teas to backyard spa rituals, discover...
Hello and welcome to another episode of The Messed-Up Gardener! I’m your host, Esther Williams, and today we’re diving into something that’s part garden magic, part self-care ritual: growing your own anti-aging plants at home. We’ll break down: ✨ What makes a plant “anti-aging”? Explore the triple power of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and nutrient density—nature’s ultimate skincare routine. 🌱 Top 5 Anti-Aging Plants to Grow: Indian Pennywort, rosemary, calendula, turmeric, and...
Ever wondered if your garden could do more than just look pretty? What if your garden was a living ritual—a space that grows healing, love, or abundance alongside your veggies? In this soulful, cheeky, and dirt-under-the-fingernails episode, Esther dives headfirst into the world of intention gardens—purpose-driven garden spaces where every plant holds meaning. From prosperity patches with basil and mint, to calming healing beds of rosemary and chamomile, and even a flirtatious little love gar...
What happens when gardening meets good vibes and glittery geology? You get this episode. Join Esther Williams—your cheeky host and dirt-loving rebel—for a slightly woo, slightly wild, and totally entertaining deep dive into the world of crystal gardening. From chakra-charged compost to protective tourmaline tucked near the tomatoes, we’re exploring how crystals have made their way from yoga studios to veggie beds—and why you might just want to bury a bit of sparkle under your zucchinis. In th...
Welcome back to The Messed-Up Gardener—your go-to podcast for all things gardening, worm wee, plant therapy, and occasional woo-woo wisdom. I’m Esther Williams, and today’s episode might just be my favorite kind of chaos: practical meets mystical, leafy meets loopy. In this episode, we’re diving into the delightfully strange world of beneficial plant placement—a.k.a. why putting a jade plant in your southeast corner might not make you rich… but it might just make you feel like a grounded godd...
Feeling overwhelmed by noise, chaos, or a never-ending to-do list? In this soulful episode of The Messed Up Gardener, Esther explores how to carve out a sanctuary—right in your backyard, balcony, or even a pot on your windowsill. Learn what peace gardens really are (hint: it’s not about being Pinterest-perfect), why they’re essential for your mental health, and how to start your own with simplicity and soul. From lavender pots to barefoot zones, this episode is your permission slip to grow a ...
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