Episode 10: How to Save Your Own Seeds with Kat Lavers

In this episode, Paul chats with Kat Lavers, urban farmer, educator, and passionate advocate for seed saving. From her small suburban block in Melbourne—affectionately called The Plummery—Kat grows around 450kg of food each year and has made seed saving a central part of her gardening practice.

Kat explains why saving seeds is one of the most powerful skills a gardener can learn. She demystifies common seed terms (heirloom, hybrid, GMO, open-pollinated), shares practical tips for saving seeds from beans, tomatoes, cucurbits, brassicas, and more, and reveals why preserving biodiversity is vital for resilient future food systems.

 

 

🧠 What You'll Learn

• Why seed saving matters for food security and biodiversity
  
  

• The difference between hybrid, open-pollinated, GMO, heirloom and organic seeds
  
  

• Practical tips for saving seeds from beans, tomatoes, cucurbits, and brassicas
  
  

• How to avoid cross-pollination and maintain strong genetics
  
  

• Techniques for drying, storing, and protecting seeds from pests
  
  

• How every gardener can help preserve agricultural heritage
  
  

 

 

🧰 Resources & Tools Mentioned

• Seed Savers' Handbook – by Michel and Jude Fanton
  
  

• Seed to Seed – by Suzanne Ashworth
  
  

• Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties – by Carol Deppe
  
  

• Local seed libraries and community seed exchanges
  
  

 

 

🔥 Quotes from Kat
"A seed is a baby plant asleep with its lunch."
"Every gardener is also a plant breeder – because choosing what to save shapes the next generation."
"Saving seeds isn't just thrifty, it's about protecting biodiversity for the future."

 

 

📚 About Kat Lavers
Kat Lavers is a gardener, educator, and permaculture designer based in Melbourne. At her award-winning urban permaculture property The Plummery, she produces most of her household's fresh produce year-round. Kat runs workshops on sustainable gardening and seed saving, inspiring others to build resilience and reconnect with the cycles of nature.

Follow Kat:
📸 Instagram – @kat.lavers

 🌐 Website – katlavers.com.au

 

 

✅ Subscribe & Support

Love the podcast? Don't forget to:

• Follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
  
  

• Leave a review – it helps more growers find the show
  
  

• Join our gardening community for seasonal tips, seeds and workshops 👉 growitlocal.com

 

 

 

🙏 Thanks to our Sponsors

This podcast is made possible thanks to our Local Government partners from across Australia and our friends at:

• Backyard Farmer
  
  

• Cyclone Tools
  
  

• Pope

 

Episode 9: An Introduction to Permaculture – with Robyn Rosenfeldt

In this episode, Paul is joined by Robyn Rosenfeldt – permaculture practitioner, educator, and founder of PIP Magazine, Australia's premier publication on sustainable living.

Robyn introduces us to the 12 permaculture principles, explaining how they apply not only to our gardens but to our homes, families, and communities. With warmth and practicality, she shows us how permaculture is really about designing systems that mimic nature – making life easier for us and the planet.

 

 

🧠 What You'll Learn

• What permaculture really means (beyond gardening)
  
  

• The 12 permaculture principles explained in everyday language
  
  

• How to design systems where plants, animals, and people support one another
  
  

• Why observation is the first step before planting
  
  

• Practical ways to catch and store energy (water, sun, and food)
  
  

• Creating closed-loop systems to reduce waste
  
  

• Using diversity and edges to build stronger ecosystems
  
  

• Why starting small is the key to success
  
  

 

 

🧰 Resources & Tools Mentioned

• PIP Magazine – Australia's permaculture and sustainable living magazine
  
  

• Permaculture books by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren
  
  

• Moon planting calendars and seasonal guides
  
  

 

 

🔥 Quotes from Robyn
"Permaculture is about mimicking nature – creating systems where everything supports each other."
"It's not just gardening. It's how you live in your home, your community, and the world."
"Sometimes it feels like common sense – but it's not so common anymore."

 

 

📚 About Robyn Rosenfeldt
Robyn Rosenfeldt is the founder and editor of PIP Magazine, a beautiful quarterly publication dedicated to permaculture, sustainability, and living lightly. She lives on the far south coast of NSW, where she grows food, raises chickens, and practices permaculture with her family.

Follow Robyn:

📸 Instagram – @pipmagazineau 

 🌐 Website – pipmagazine.com.au

 

 

✅ Subscribe & Support

Love the podcast? Don't forget to:

• Follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
  
  

• Leave a review – it helps more growers find the show
  
  

• Join our gardening community for seasonal tips, seeds and workshops 👉 www.growitlocal.com

 

 

 

🙏 Thanks to our Sponsors

This podcast is made possible thanks to our Local Government partners from across Australia and our friends at:

• Backyard Farmer
  
  

• Cyclone Tools
  
  

• Pope

 

Welcome to the Grow It Local podcast, connecting you with Australia's most inspiring growers.

 

That's what it's all about here at Grow It Local. We're on a mission to get more people growing sharing and eating locally grown food and this podcast is about helping you to become a better grower 

 

In the coming weeks, we'll be releasing episodes featuring an all star cast of inspiring growers and gardeners. Each episode will focus on a particular topic, so you can expand you mind, grow your green thumb and become a better grower. 

 

You won't want to miss an episode so please hit the follow button, that way you'll know every time that we share a new episode.

I'm so excited to share this with you and can't wait to launch our first two episodes on Friday August 22.

In the meantime, you can head on over to our website growitlocal.com to check at all the incredible information that we have there that is all about helping you to become a better grower.

 

LAUNCHING >>> August 22

 

In this inspiring and info-packed episode, Paul is joined by permaculture educator and perennial plant advocate Morag Gamble shares her wisdom on how to grow more food with less effort by designing your garden around perennials.

Morag walks us through the beauty and benefits of perennial gardens—from soil regeneration to biodiversity, resilience, and ease of care. She unpacks how shifting from annual-based gardening to perennial-based systems can make gardening more peaceful, abundant, and sustainable. You'll also hear how her eco-village life at Crystal Waters influences her approach and how perennial gardens are the ultimate act of cooperation with nature.

This episode is brimming with practical tips, plant ideas, and philosophical reflections that will leave you itching to get outside and plant something that lasts a lifetime.

🌿 What We Cover:

• What perennials are and why they matter in the garden
  
  

• How perennial systems build soil and biodiversity
  
  

• Designing gardens that feed people, animals, pollinators—and the soil
  
  

• Morag's top perennial picks and planting strategies
  
  

• Integrating chickens and wildlife into perennial systems
  
  

• How perennial thinking reduces pests, supports resilience, and saves time
  
  

• Using layers, mosaic planting, and composting in-place
  
  

• Edible shrubs, teas, root crops, and self-seeding wonders
  
  

• Designing edible "shrubberies," hedges, and food forests
  
  

• Pot gardening and tips for those with limited space
  
  

• Real talk on mistakes, soil love, and keeping things simple
  
  

🌱 Top Takeaways:

• Perennials = Less Work, More Yield. Once established, they just keep giving.
  
  

• Start with the soil. Healthy soil means healthier, easier gardening.
  
  

• Design for diversity. Multiple layers and mixed planting help with pest control, moisture retention, and abundance.
  
  

• Work with nature. From chickens to wallabies, wildlife can be part of the garden ecosystem.
  
  

• Grow to share. Take cuttings, gift perennials, and spread the garden love.
  
  

 

 

🔗 More from Morag:

 

• Instagram: @moraggamble

• YouTube: Our Permaculture Life 

• Education & Courses: Permaculture Education Institute

 

 

 

🙏 Thanks to our Sponsors

This podcast is made possible thanks to our Local Government partners from across Australia and our friends at:

• Backyard Farmer
  
  

• Cyclone Tools
  
  

• Pope

 

In this episode, Paul chats with Kate Flood, aka The Compost Coach, about breaking down the biggest composting myths and making composting feel simple, achievable, and rewarding.

Kate is passionate about helping households and communities turn waste into living soil. She explains how composting is both art and science, and why it doesn't need to feel complicated. From busting myths about citrus, onions, and paper to exploring hot composting, cold composting, and Bokashi, this conversation will equip you with practical tools to build confidence in your own composting journey.

 

 

🧠 What You'll Learn

• Why compost isn't complicated (and how to keep it simple)
  
  

• The four universal ingredients of compost: carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and water
  
  

• Why cold, slow composting can be just as valuable as hot composting
  
  

• The role of compost activators like manure, comfrey, coffee grounds and Bokashi
  
  

• How Bokashi works, and why it's a great way to process "compost no-nos" like meat and citrus
  
  

• Aeration hacks (compost lungs, wood chips, and garden stakes) that save you from heavy turning
  
  

• The truth about paper, inks, and PFAS in food packaging
  
  

• Common compost myths—and why they shouldn't stop you from getting started
  
  

 

 

🧰 Resources & Tools Mentioned

• Compost activators (coffee grounds, comfrey, manure, Bokashi)
  
  

• DIY Bokashi bucket setups
  
  

• Compost thermometers and the squeeze test
  
  

• Aeration hacks: compost lungs, aged wood chips, and garden stakes
  
  

 

 

🔥 Quotes from Kate
"Composting is a living system – billions of microbes are waiting to be fed."
"Forget the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio – just remember the four essentials: carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and water."
"If you've heard a compost myth that says 'you can't add X', remember: it all breaks down in nature."

 

 

📚 About Kate Flood
Kate Flood is The Compost Coach – an educator, author, and sustainability advocate. Through her workshops, writing, and hands-on community projects, she empowers people to turn food scraps and garden waste into living soil. Her book The Compost Coach is a practical guide to busting compost myths and building confidence at any scale. You can grab yourself a copy HERE

Follow Kate:
📸 Instagram – @compostable.kate

 

 

✅ Subscribe & Support

Love the podcast? Don't forget to:

• Follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
  
  

• Leave a review – it helps more growers find the show
  
  

• Join our gardening community for seasonal support, seeds and workshops 👉www.growilocal.com
  
  

 

 

🙏 Thanks to our Sponsors

This podcast is made possible thanks to our Local Government partners from across Australia and our friends at:

• Backyard Farmer
  
  

• Cyclone Tools
  
  

• Pope

In this episode, Paul chats with the inspiring Hannah Churton, a passionate composter and educator who believes worm farming is one of the simplest and most powerful steps we can all take towards living more sustainably.

Hannah takes us inside the world of worm farms – how they work, why they matter, and how you can get started (or improve your setup) today. From troubleshooting common issues to harvesting rich castings for your garden, this conversation will leave you ready to put worms to work at your place.

 

 

🧠 What You'll Learn

• Why composting with worms helps reduce food waste and greenhouse gases
  
  

• The science behind vermicomposting (and why worm poo is garden gold)
  
  

• What you can – and can't – feed your worms
  
  

• The four essentials of every worm farm: food, water, air and temperature
  
  

• How to harvest and use worm castings in your garden
  
  

• Troubleshooting common worm farming problems (overfeeding, excess moisture, acidity, pests)
  
  

• Why wormfarming is perfect for small spaces and urban living
  
  

 

 

🧰 Resources & Tools Mentioned

• Worm farms (urban and backyard setups)
  
  

• Carbon sources: newspaper, egg cartons, leaf litter, coco coir
  
  

• Sifters and simple DIY harvest methods
  
  

• Tips for managing fruit flies and balancing acidity
  
  

 

 

🔥 Quotes from Hannah
"Worm castings are the gold – they're what makes your garden thrive."
"Don't overthink it. Keep it simple, and the worms will do the work for you."
"Food, water, air, and temperature – get those right, and your worm farm will always come back to life."

 

 

📚 About Hannah Churton
Hannah is a composting educator, wormfarming advocate and workshop facilitator who helps people reduce their waste while building healthier soils. She has inspired countless households to start their own worm farms and experience the joy of closing the loop from food scraps back into the garden.

Follow Hannah on Insta  👉@the_worm_monger

 

 

✅ Subscribe & Support

Love the podcast? Don't forget to:

• Follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
  
  

• Leave a review – it helps more growers find the show
  
  

• Join our gardening community for seasonal support, seeds and workshops 👉  www.growitlocal.com

 

 

🙏 Thanks to our Sponsors

This podcast is made possible thanks to our Local Government partners from across Australia and our friends at:

• Backyard Farmer
  
  

• Cyclone Tools
  
  

• Pope
  
  

Episode 5: Sweet Soil – with Fabian Capomolla

In this episode, Paul chats with the passionate and knowledgeable Fabian Capomolla – a name many gardeners will know from The Little Veggie Patch Co and his bestselling books. Fabian takes us on a deep dive into what truly makes a successful vegetable garden: the soil beneath our feet.

This isn't just a chat about dirt – it's a hands-on, practical guide to understanding your soil and building it into a thriving, nutrient-rich base for homegrown food.

Whether you're starting your first veggie patch or troubleshooting lacklustre crops, this episode will leave you better equipped to grow your own.

 

 

🧠 What You'll Learn

• Why healthy soil is more important than healthy plants
  
  

• How to test your soil type using the ribbon method
  
  

• The difference between sandy, clay and loamy soil
  
  

• Practical steps to improve any soil using compost and worm castings
  
  

• How to test and adjust your soil pH for vegetable growing
  
  

• Why pH affects nutrient uptake and plant health
  
  

• The difference between soil conditioners and fertilisers
  
  

• Common signs of soil problems and how to fix them
  
  

 

 

🧰 Resources & Tools Mentioned

• Ribbon test for identifying soil structure
  
  

• pH test kits (why they're better than probes)
  
  

• Compost and worm castings as soil amendments
  
  

• Gypsum for breaking up clay
  
  

• Chicken manure and lime for correcting acidic soil
  
  

• Seaweed extract and worm tea as microbial boosters
  
  

 

 

🔥 Quotes from Fabian

"You're growing soil first, and plants second."
"The soil is like the foundation of a house – if it's not right, the whole thing falls down."
"Compost is just like baking bread – you need the right balance of carbon and nitrogen."

 

 

📚 About Fabian Capomolla

Fabian is a horticulturist, author, and the founder of The Veggie Patch School. Best known for co-founding The Little Veggie Patch Co, he has helped thousands of Australians grow food in their backyards, courtyards, and balconies. His latest book, Growing Through the Italian Way, blends food, culture, and gardening wisdom from his time in Italy.

Follow Fabian:
📸 Instagram – @fabian_capomolla

 

 

✅ Subscribe & Support

Love the podcast? Don't forget to:

• Follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
  
  

• Leave a review – it helps more growers find the show
  
  

• Join our gardening community for seasonal support, seeds and workshops
  👉 Learn more here 

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This podcast was made with the incredible support of our Local Government partners from around Australia as well as our friends at Backyard Farmer, Pope and Cyclone Tools

💧 Episode 4: Wicking Beds 101 with Sophie Thomson

Want to grow more food with less water, less effort, and fewer failures? Enter the magical world of wicking beds — the ultimate low-maintenance gardening system, especially for hot, dry, or tricky growing conditions.

In this episode, your host Paul West is joined by gardening legend Sophie Thomson (from Gardening Australia) as she walks us through everything she's learned from 12+ years of building and experimenting with wicking beds — from cheap DIY setups to portable IBC builds and community garden mega-projects. If you've ever been curious about wicking beds, this is the episode for you

 

 

🧭 In This Episode

• What exactly is a wicking bed, and how does it work?
  
  

• How wicking beds save time, water, and effort — especially in harsh climates
  
  

• Why they're ideal for renters, small spaces, and concrete courtyards
  
  

• DIY options: IBCs, fridges, styrofoam boxes, washing machine drums, and pallets
  
  

• How to avoid common pitfalls (e.g. overheating, poor wicking, bad soil)
  
  

• Wicking bed anatomy: inlet pipes, overflows, reservoirs, geotextile, and soil
  
  

• Why soil quality is absolutely critical
  
  

• How to grow in wicking beds year-round — even during 45°C summers
  
  

• The great wicking bed addiction (you've been warned!)
  
  

 

 

💡 Top Tips from Sophie

• "Wicking beds make gardening easier — and addictive."
  
  

• "Get the soil right, or the system won't work."
  
  

• "Think of your veggies like premmie babies — they need gentle, even care."
  
  

• "Every part of the bed has a purpose — respect the layers."
  
  

• "Clad your IBCs to block light, cool the soil, and extend the life of your bed."
  
  

 

 

🛠️ Anatomy of a Wicking Bed

Component

Purpose

Reservoir

Holds water at the base of the bed, allowing plants to wick moisture from below.

Geotextile Fabric

Separates soil from reservoir and prevents fines from clogging the system.

Inlet Pipe

Delivers water directly to the reservoir without wetting foliage.

Overflow Pipe

Prevents waterlogging by draining excess water at the soil line.

Optional Drain Valve

Allows complete drainage — great for flushing salts in arid zones.

Soil Layer

Needs to be rich in organic matter to ensure proper wicking.

 

 

🔨 DIY Options Covered

• IBC tanks (cut in half) — strong, durable, and portable
  
  

• Washing machine drums — compact, upcycled, and water-efficient
  
  

• Old fridges — stylish with a custom collar (community garden favourite)
  
  

• Styrofoam boxes — great short-term option, but not UV stable
  
  

• Commercial inserts like WaterUps — increase water-holding capacity
  
  

• DIY inserts made from plastic pallets and nursery pots
  
  

• Self-watering pots — mini wicking beds perfect for tomatoes and herbs
  
  

 

 

🌿 What Grows Best in Wicking Beds?

Best suited for:

• Lettuce and salad greens
  
  

• Bok choy and leafy Asian greens
  
  

• Kale, chard, and silverbeet
  
  

• Herbs that don't like drying out
  
  

• Tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant
  
  

• Compact cucurbits like mini pumpkins or gem squash
  
  

• Crops you want fresh and tender (not bitter or bolted!)
  
  

More care required for:

• Carrots and seeds (need top watering to germinate)
  
  

• Tiny root veg or shallow-rooted crops
  
  

• Extra-large, sprawling plants like tromboncino (they'll take over!)
  
  

 

 

🗣️ Listener Q&A Highlights

• How deep should my soil layer be? → 30cm is the sweet spot. Big crops can handle 50cm.
  
  

• Do I need to change the soil over time? → Not if you consistently add compost and organic matter.
  
  

• Can I fertilise through the reservoir? → Yes — seaweed, worm tea, or diluted organic feeds work well.
  
  

• What about fruit trees in wicking beds? → Possible with full IBCs, but picking height and nutrient draw are issues.
  
  

• Can I build these on concrete? → Absolutely. Wicking beds work on any flat surface.
  
  

 

 

📚 Resources & Mentions

• Sophie Thomson on Gardening Australia
  
  

• Sustainable Gardening Australia's worm wicking bed how-to
  
  

• DIY insert options: WaterUps, plastic pallets, nursery pots
  
  

• Cladding tips: timber slats, insulation, weed mat (if cool climate)
  
  

• How to upcycle: sourcing second-hand IBCs, salvaged materials, dump shop treasures
  
  

 

 

Ready to build your own wicking bed?

• 💧 Start small with a self-watering pot or repurposed drum
  
  

• 🧰 Hit the tip shop or FB Marketplace for IBCs and materials
  
  

• 📬 Subscribe to the podcast for more how-to growing episodes
  
  

• 🌱 Join our newsletter for wicking bed plans, videos, and seasonal planting guides
  
  

• 📸 Share your setup with us on Facebook or Instagram @growitlocal

 

 

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This podcast was made with the incredible support of our Local Government partners from around Australia as well as our friends at Backyard Farmer, Pope and Cyclone Tools

 

🐛 Episode 3: How to Rewild Your Patch with Mel Logozzo

What happens when you stop trying to control your garden and instead invite nature to take the lead? In this episode, your host Paul West is joined by rewilding champion and bug-loving gardener Mel Logozzo about how to transform any space — from a tiny yard to a sprawling verge — into a thriving habitat.

Mel shares her journey from paved-over suburbia to a lush, biodiverse sanctuary filled with buzzing bees, flowering natives, predatory insects, frogs, and yes… even aphids (on purpose!). Whether you're keen to grow food spray-free, attract more pollinators, or just be a lazier gardener, this episode is packed with insights into rewilding your garden for both productivity and biodiversity.

 

 

🧭 In This Episode

• What rewilding your patch really means
  
  

• How to create a balanced backyard ecosystem (even in small spaces)
  
  

• Why more pests = more predators (and why that's a good thing)
  
  

• Practical ways to bring in more native insects, birds, and frogs
  
  

• Layering your garden like a food forest — natives and edibles together
  
  

• The role of invertebrates as ecosystem indicators
  
  

• How Mel grows food without using a single spray
  
  

• Why dead plants and weedy corners are ecological goldmines
  
  

• Creating habitat: logs, ponds, bug hotels, and bare soil
  
  

• Why you don't need to freak out when aphids arrive
  
  

 

 

💡 Top Tips from Mel

• "You can't have predators if you don't have pests."
  
  

• "Rewilding is lazy gardening — the less you do, the better."
  
  

• "Not all sprays are created equal — even organic ones disrupt balance."
  
  

• "Diversity = resilience. The more life you invite, the less work you'll have to do."
  
  

• "Don't rip everything out! Even dead plants are habitat."
  
  

 

 

🛠️ Practical Rewilding Ideas

Element

Rewilding Tip

Trees

Plant large natives like eucalypts to feed and shelter wildlife.

Flowers

Grow a mix of flat, tall, humble, and daisy-shaped blooms for year-round pollination.

Habitat

Add logs, ponds, bug hotels, or just leave a weedy patch alone.

Soil

Avoid mulching every inch — ground-nesting bees and insects need bare soil too.

Ponds

Even a repurposed bath or pot can attract frogs, dragonflies, and mosquito eaters.

Veggie Patch

Let some things flower and go to seed. It's free food for insects.

 

 

🐞 Mel's Rewilding Essentials

• Don't spray – not even organic solutions like neem or soapy water. They harm beneficial bugs too.
  
  

• Plant densely – fill every space with something. More layers = more habitat.
  
  

• Observe first – don't assume a bug is bad. Learn what it is and how it fits into your ecosystem.
  
  

• Build balance over time – your predators may not show up this week, but they will.
  
  

• Work with your soil – raise veggie beds if needed, but leave other areas wild and untouched.
  
  

 

 

🐝 Mel's Favourite Insects

Mel is a self-confessed invertebrate nerd. She champions:

• Aphids (yes, really — they feed the good guys)
  
  

• Blue banded bees and their cheeky parasite, the cuckoo bee
  
  

• Dragonflies, solitary wasps, and parasitoid flies
  
  

• Ground-nesting native bees (70–80% of native bees nest in the soil!)
  
  

• Spiders (passive predators that keep everything in check)
  
  

"There's no such thing as friend or foe — it's all about balance."

 

 

🗣️ Listener Q&A Highlights

• How do I get rid of cooch grass? → Persistence and deep digging
  
  

• What's the best path material for rewilded gardens? → Lawn, mulch, logs — whatever fits your climate and feet
  
  

• Where can I learn more about bugs? → Try iNaturalist, Facebook insect groups, or Dennis Crawford's books
  
  

• What about spider mites? → Let ladybirds and tiny native predators do their thing
  
  

• Can you buy beneficial insects? → Yes, but Mel prefers to let nature handle it
  
  

• How densely should I plant? → Dense! Think nine plants per square metre — or more
  
  

 

 

📚 Resources & Mentions

• RewildingSuburbia.com – Mel's website

• iNaturalist.org – for plant and insect identification

• Your local council's flora/fauna surveys and native plant lists

• Dennis Crawford's books and resources on Australian garden insects
  
  

 

 

If this episode fired you up to garden a little wilder:

• 🐝 Follow Mel on Instagram @rewildingsuburbia
  
  

• 🌿 Leave some aphids on your plants and watch what shows up
  
  

• 🧑‍🌾 Subscribe to the podcast for more grow-at-home inspiration
  
  

• 📬 Join our newsletter for seasonal tips, community workshops, and more
  
  

 

 

Thanks to our Sponsors:

This podcast was made with the incredible support of our Local Government partners from around Australia as well as our friends at Backyard Farmer, Pope and Cyclone Tools

 

🪴 Episode 2: Growing in Containers and Small Spaces with Costa Georgiadis

Small space gardening is booming — and in this epsiode, your host Paul West is joined by none other than Costa Georgiadis, Grow It Local's national patron and Australia's favourite gardening guru. In this episode, Costa shares practical, inspiring ways to grow lush, productive gardens in balconies, courtyards, rooftops, and tiny backyards using containers, clever design, and a whole lot of creativity.

From choosing the right pots and soil to working with microclimates and seasonal light shifts, this episode is a must-listen for renters, small-space dwellers, and anyone looking to make the most of limited growing space.

 

 

🧭 In This Episode

• What defines a "small space garden" — it's more than balconies!
  
  

• Why containers are a small-space gardener's best friend
  
  

• How to assess your site using "nature goggles" and microclimates
  
  

• Container ideas: teapots, buckets, crates, drums, and more
  
  

• Using containers to create and adapt microclimates
  
  

• How to garden vertically when you can't dig or drill
  
  

• Matching plants to your aspect (hot, shady, windy, dry)
  
  

• Soil health in pots: wicking beds, worm farms, and composting hacks
  
  

• Growing food without ground: lettuce trees, silverbeet beasts, and balcony salad bars
  
  

• How to maximise productivity without compromising on beauty
  
  

 

 

💡 Top Tips from Costa

• "Every pot is a microclimate — and every microclimate is an opportunity."
  
  

• "If you can't dig, grow up. Think in 3D."
  
  

• "Observe before you plant. Your garden talks — you just have to listen."
  
  

• "Small spaces aren't a limitation — they're an invitation to innovate."
  
  

• "Don't underestimate a humble plastic pail. It could feed a household."
  
  

 

 

🛠️ Small-Space Gardening Essentials

Element

Costa's Advice

Containers

Use anything: teapots, polystyrene boxes, barrels, plastic pots, even wheelbarrows. Just ensure drainage and depth.

Vertical Space

Stack, trellis, hang, or raise your containers to build layers and expand growing space.

Mobility

Move your containers seasonally to chase light or protect from heat. Think of it as plant Pilates!

Soil Health

Use high-quality potting mix, feed with compost, worm castings, and top up regularly. Avoid garden soil in pots.

Watering

Use saucers to retain water. Consider wicking pots or water-storing media for wind-exposed balconies.

Plant Choice

Favour dwarf, compact, heat-tolerant, or trailing varieties. Match plant to microclimate.

 

 

🌿 Favourite Small-Space Plants

• Silverbeet – tough, leafy, and shade-tolerant
  
  

• Lettuce trees – lettuces that naturalise and keep going
  
  

• Sunflower shoots – microgreens that grow fast in low light
  
  

• Dwarf tomatoes, bush beans, herbs, chillies
  
  

• Trailing plants for privacy, light diffusion, or visual softness
  
  

 

 

🧑‍🌾 Small-Space Composting Tips

• Use 20L food-grade pails to build layered worm towers
  
  

• Drill holes to allow drainage and airflow
  
  

• Stack them in tucked-away corners or sunny spots
  
  

• Compost scraps right where you grow — no big bins required
  
  

"You don't need space — you need systems. And a few good pails."

 

 

🗣️ Listener Q&A Highlights

• What can I grow with no direct sun? → Try leafy greens, silverbeet, and microgreens like sunflower shoots.
  
  

• Is air pollution a problem in urban gardens? → Not usually in Australia, but check local data for hotspots.
  
  

• How do I stop mozzies breeding in my saucers? → Empty and refill regularly. Keep water moving and tidy.
  
  

• Any edible plant tips for school kids in cities like Delhi? → Leafy greens and container growing are a great start — and safer than growing in poor ground soil.
  
  

 

 

📚 Resources & Mentions

• 20L buckets from restaurants (hello, upcycled ghee pails!)
  
  

• Veggie Pods – self-watering container systems
  
  

• Reflective surfaces & shade cloths for climate control
  
  

• Landcare groups and local nurseries – great sources for plant selection and community advice
  
  

• Observation and nature goggles – the best tool you already have
  
  

 

 

Inspired to grow in your own space?

• 🪴 Start with just one pot — even a plastic bucket will do!
  
  

• 🌱 Subscribe to the podcast for more grow-anywhere inspiration
  
  

• 📬 Join our newsletter for seasonal growing tips and DIY ideas
  
  

• 📸 Share your small space garden with us @growitlocal
  
  

 

 

 Thanks to our Sponsors

This episode was made possible by our Local Government Partners from around Australia, as well as our friends at Cyclone Tools, Pope and Backyard Farmer

 

🌱 Episode 1: Make this Your Best Tomato Season Ever!

In our very first episode, host Paul West is joined by permaculture gardener, educator, and tomato-loving legend Hannah Moloney. Hannah takes us on a deep dive into the wonderfully complex (and joyfully chaotic) world of growing tomatoes at home. From choosing seeds to building microclimates and preserving your harvest, Hannah shares decades of hands-on wisdom 

Whether you're a first-time grower or seasoned gardener, this episode is packed with tips, hacks, and inspiration to help you grow better tomatoes — with less stress and more joy.

 

 

🧭 In This Episode

• The importance of seed diversity and how to access heirlooms
  
  

• Choosing between determinate vs. indeterminate tomato varieties
  
  

• The lowdown on heirloom vs. hybrid seeds (and busting myths about GMOs)
  
  

• Hannah's go-to DIY seed-raising mix (including regional tweaks)
  
  

• How to build microclimates: from sunny kitchen benches to DIY cold frames and greenhouses
  
  

• The trench planting technique that will change your tomato game forever
  
  

• Fertilising tips: when, how, and how much
  
  

• A practical, no-fuss approach to trellising tomatoes
  
  

• Dealing with pests, blossom end rot, and the dreaded fruit fly
  
  

• How to harvest, ripen, and preserve your crop (even the green ones!)
  
  

• Seed saving 101 — and the funky trick involving paper towels
  
  

 

 

💡 Top Tips from Hannah

• "There's about 100 right ways to grow a tomato — find the one that works for you."
  
  

• "Lay them down, not deep! Trench planting in the topsoil layer = more roots, better plants."
  
  

• "Be ruthless with seedlings. If they're floppy or pale, let them go."
  
  

• "Good soil and a biodiverse garden are your best defense against pests."
  
  

• "Preserve your harvest — future-you will thank you in the depths of winter."
  
  

 

 

🛠️ Resources & Mentions

• DIY greenhouse ideas using salvaged windows and bricks
  
  

• Seed saving using fermentation method
  
  

• Favourite heirloom: the elusive 'George' tomato from Tassie
  
  

• Liquid feeds: worm juice, seaweed, weed teas
  
  

• Wicking beds & warm-climate mulch tips
  
  

• Garden folklore: eggs in the planting hole and tomatoes that grow sideways!
  
  

 

 

🗣️ Listener Q&A Highlights

• Fresh sawdust? Only if it's aged — fresh can suck nutrients and suppress growth.
  
  

• Best potting-up mix? Boost compost and add seaweed or worm juice once true leaves appear.
  
  

• Wicking beds? Brilliant for dry regions — just match bed depth to tomato type.
  
  

• Fruit fly? Healthy plants + netting + good garden hygiene.
  
  

• Cockatoos? Netting, dog patrol, and "cosh" covers.
  
  

 

 

🔥 If you enjoyed this episode:

• 🌱 Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!
  
  

• 🍅 Share it with a fellow tomato grower
  
  

• 💌 Join our newsletter for monthly gardening guides and workshop invites
  
  

• 🧑‍🌾 Tag us on Instagram with your tomato tips and garden setups
  
  

 

 

🎙️ About Our Guest

Hannah Moloney is a permaculture designer, educator, and author based in nipaluna/Hobart. She's the founder of Good Life Permaculture, a passionate advocate for climate-positive gardening, and a familiar face from ABC TV's Gardening Australia.

📚 Learn more at www.goodlifepermaculture.com.au

 

Thanks to our Sponsors

This podcast has been brought to life thanks to the support of our Local govenemnt Partners from all over Australia as well as our friends at Backyard Farmer, Cyclone Tools and Pope