Hops and Hedges – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, I'm talking with Matt McFarland of The Growing Season in Bolton, ON. We're talking with this very entertaining, self-identified "Bolton Boy", podcast and radio show host about working with his dad, drafting landscape designs as young as the age of six, studying at Humber, finding his own way, and of course - BEER!

BEERS etc.:

Glenlivet Scotch Whiskey 14 (or 18) and Cuban Cigars!

Stellllllaaaaaaa! (any theatre friends in the audience?)

Creemore

Espresso!

Sweet Water IPA by Sweet Water Brewing Company

FYI: that ride at Canada's Wonderland previously known as "Italian Job" is now called "Backlot Stunt Coaster" (yup. stupid name)

Tune in next week when I'm speaking with George Uvari from Knowledge Tree Consulting in Toronto, Ontario.

Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH

Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09⁠⁠

In this episode, I'm talking with Art Vanden Enden in Oshawa, Ontario. We're talking about his 44 years in garden retail, his work with Landscape Ontario, "the Art of Gardening", writing for the Landscape Trades magazine, his 25 years with Wheel & Cullen and then with Sheridan Nurseries, microbreweries, visiting keukenhof gardens in the Netherlands and of course - BEER!

BEERS:

Grolsch by Grolsch Brewery

Red Vienna Lager by Old Flame Brewing Company

Stash Burst by Creemore Breweries

QUESTION: What does the word "garden" mean to you? Enter your answer in the comments section of this episode!

Tune in next week when I'm speaking with Matt McFarland of The Growing Season in Bolton, ON.

Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH

Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09⁠

In this episode, I'm talking with the ever-fabulous (and one of my personal mentors) Lindsay Drake Nightingale from Yorkshire Garden Services Inc (22 years in business!) in Concord, ON.

We're talking about her presidency with Landscape Ontario, her shift from working in the not-for-profit world to owning a landscape business, how the people along your path influence you and project you forward, "niche boutique garden care", potscaping, Whiskey and of course - BEER!

BEERS:

Canadian Whiskey by Legends in Perry Sound

Any of the whiskeys from Rheault Distillery in Hurst, Ontario

Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Hazed and Confused Juicy IPA from Muskoka Brewery

Muskoka Detour from Muskoka Brewery

BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR NEW BUSINESSES: Learn as much as you can about finances AND - if you don't want to your finances - find someone who can and will. (BOOK: "Who not How" by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy")

Tune in next week for a special episode with just me talking to you directly and celebrating the halfway point of the first season of this podcast.

Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH

Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09

In this episode, I'm talking with Amy Fedele from Pretty Purple Door (you have GOT to check her out on Instagram!) based out of Northeastern Pennsylvania!

We're talking about her awesome marketing and branding, her online teachings/resources and ebooks, her Youtube channel, content creation, making landscape design accessible, Blue microphones, and of course - BEER!

BEERS:

Watermelon Beet Sour (it actually tastes SO GOOD!) by Mascot Brewery in Toronto Schofferhofer Grapefruit Radler (brewed in Germany)

BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

She has a whole list so check it out at this link: https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-506a9c5b/list/2JYSJKY57JRAI

Tune in next week when I'm speaking with the fabulous Lindsay Drake Nightingale from Yorkshire Garden Services Inc. in Concord, ON.

Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH

Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09

In this episode, I'm talking with Jonas Spring, owner of Ecoman & the Toronto Plant Market in - you guessed it - Toronto Ontario. We're talking about his landscaping and garden business (20 years in business!), his retail native plant operation called the "Toronto Plant Market", arranging the plants in the garden center by their ecological region/reference or ideal growing conditions INCLUDING houseplants (how freaking cool is that?!), mental health and of course - BEER! BEERS: Moosehead Radler (so good on a hot day!) Blue Moon (my personal gateway beer) BOOK RECOMMENDATION: Ecology & Systems Books ie. Garden Revolution by Larry Weaner and Thomas Christopher Tune in next week when I'm speaking with the super talented Amy Fedele who owns Pretty Purple Door in Pennsylvania! Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09

In this episode, I'm talking with fellow entrepreneur and business owner - Melissa V from Melissa V. Photography & Planning in Belmont, Ontario, CANADA.

For something a little different - Melissa doesn't own a landscaping business AND she doesn't drink beer - CRAZY! Yet I am so glad she reached out to me to talk about gardening, being an entrepreneur (and the supportive partners we THANKFULLY have at home), her passion for photography, indecision & impulsivity, changes that came out from COVID, starting a garden from a blank slate, invasive plants and of course - BEER!

BEERS:

Hot Chocolate from Tim Hortons

Strongbow, Heemans & Rice Lake Cider

Cheery Mead from Heemans

Sasquatch Schnitzel (amazing can art!!!) Vienna Lager by Kichesippi beer company (brewed in Ottawa, ON.)

Special shout outs in this episode to Whistling Gardens and Heemans Greenhouse!

P.S. Heemans has awesome labels on certain plants informing the public if it might become invasive or spread aggressively.

Tune in next week when I'm speaking with Jonas Spring from Ecoman and the Toronto Plant Market in (you guessed it) Toronto, ON.

Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH

Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09

In this episode, I'm talking with Blake Tubby from Arbordale Landscaping in Vaughn/Concord & Toronto Ontario.

We're talking about how his parents started the company in 1981, Humber College, serving your "niche", working with subcontractors to complete projects, and of course - BEER!

BEERS:

Heineken (old ye faithful)

Red Wines (California Cab Sauvs, Silk Road & Italian primitivos)

White Wines: Gewurztraminer & Liebfraumilch The Mutants are Revolting by Flying Monkeys

BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

Start with Why by Simon Sinek

Tune in next week when I'm speaking with Melissa from Melissa V. Photography & Event Planning out of Belmont, Ontario.

Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH

Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09

In this episode, I'm talking with Ed Hansen from Landscape Ontario, EXT.tech, TEC Canada and others centered in Ottawa, Ontario.

We're talking about time planning, prioritizing the important stuff, his journey to becoming the President of Landscape Ontario, Green Melon branding, how entrepreneurs don't fit in the "box", asking for help, community and of course - BEER!

BEERS:

Coffee (that looks like Guinness)

Dark Beers

"Vim & Vigor" by Tooth & Nail Brewery

"Vitamin O" beer Oland Brewery, Nova Scotia

Organic Hazy IPA by the London Brewing CoOp

Tune in next week when I'm speaking with Blake Tubby from Arbordale Landscaping in Toronto.

At the time we recorded this episode we didn't have a sponsor - but now we DO!

Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH

Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09

In this episode, I'm talking with Almas Khalam from Truleaf Garden Consulting in Brantford, Ontario.

We're talking about Planting Seeds, Vegetable Gardens, Edibles, Herbs, Floral Design, growing your own food, Radishes and Lettuce, coming to Canada from India, "London Fog", Tea and of course - BEER (though not really...in this episode)!

BEERS:

*NOT THIS TIME*

Kraken Rum from Proximo Spirits of Jersey City

Dead Man Fingers Rum from the Bristol & Bath Rum Distillery

Teas

Tune in next week when I'm speaking with Ed Hansen from Landscape Ontario, EXT.tech, TEC Canada and others.

At the time we recorded this episode we didn't have a sponsor - but now we DO!

Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH

Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09

In this episode, I'm talking with Adam Braun from Belleview Landscapes based in Cambridge, Ontario.

In spite of some technical difficulties, we talk about Hardscaping, Sustainable Softscaping, Natural Materials, Biophilic Design, Native Plants, and of course - BEER!

BEERS:

Sunkiss NEIPA by Jackass Brewing

Van Full of Wierdos by Refined Fool

Tracksuit Smash IPA by Refined Fool

BOOK RECOMMENDATION: "Hellstrip Gardening: Create a Paradise between the Sidewalk and the Curb" by Evelyn Hadden

Tune in next week when I'm speaking with Almas Khalam from Truleaf Garden Consulting.

At the time we recorded this episode we didn't have a sponsor - but now we DO!

Season 1 is proudly sponsored by EXT.TECH

Visit them on Instagram (@ext.tech_inc) or online here: ⁠https://shorturl.at/dgs09