The Messed Up Gardener – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Messed Up Gardener

Esther William (Aitken)

Leisure

Education

Science

Frequency: 1 episode/7d. Total Eps: 205

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, mushrooms 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.

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https://stan.store/EstherA
398 shares
https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters
174 shares
https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now
136 shares

https://www.instagram.com/themessedupgardener
8 shares

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Score global : 63%

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Ep 151: The 3-Bucket System — Never Waste a Weed, Leaf, or Kitchen Scrap Again

Saturday, November 15, 2025 • Duration 19:34

Ever stared at a pile of weeds or kitchen scraps and thought, “Now what?”
In this episode, Esther shares the simple 3-Bucket System — a no-stress, no-science-degree method for turning everyday garden mess into free, nutrient-rich compost and fertiliser.

From overflowing water tanks to feijoa flowers and hubby’s booming flower beds, Esther kicks off with a real-life update from her own messy, abundant garden before diving into how three humble buckets can transform the way you handle waste:

Why You’ll Love This Episode
It’s realistic, funny, and designed for gardeners who want results without overthinking ratios or building perfect compost bays. You’ll walk away knowing exactly what to do with every bit of garden chaos — and maybe feel a little proud of that old bucket by the back door.

✨ Don’t forget — you’ll find my free gardening guides linked below in the show notes.
Whether you’re after a step-by-step plan, a cheat sheet for growing chemical-free, or even my mini lawn care masterclass, they’re waiting to make gardening easier, lighter, and a whole lot more fun.

🎧 Press play, grab your notebook, and get ready to uncover the riches hiding in your garden!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so you never miss a new garden chat.

And if you have a gardening question or topic you’d love me to cover, send me a message — I’d love to hear from you.

🌻 Until next time: remember that gardening can happen in any space, any place, and on any budget.
Have an incredibly abundant week — and I’ll buzz you later. 🐝

Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages

The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms

Or Grab

· A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters

https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters

Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.

Freebies: Grab the

- "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden

- https://stan.store/EstherA

- Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA

- Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now

- Mini Masterclass Audio Lawncare basics which has included the Lawn care Mini Masterclass Audio & a Lawn Love Mini Masterclass Companion Guide. https://stan.store/EstherA

Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.

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Ep 150: “The Odd Rule — Why Uneven Planting Looks So Darn Good”

Saturday, November 8, 2025 • Duration 19:06

Ever notice how some gardens just feel right? In this short and sunny episode, Esther unpacks one of gardening’s simplest design secrets — the rule of odd numbers. Discover why planting in threes, fives, or sevens creates flow and balance, how our brains naturally prefer a little imperfection, and when it actually pays to break the rule entirely.

From hydrangeas to veggie beds, Esther shares real examples from her own garden that prove small tweaks can make a big difference. You’ll walk away knowing how to group your plants for a more natural look — plus a quick “third-plant test” to try at home this week.

Because in nature (and in gardening), perfect is overrated — and sometimes the odd ones really are the most beautiful. 🌿

And if you have a gardening question or topic you’d love me to cover, send me a message — I’d love to hear from you.

🌻 Until next time: remember that gardening can happen in any space, any place, and on any budget.
Have an incredibly abundant week — and I’ll buzz you later. 🐝

Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages

The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms

Or Grab

· A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters

https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters

Ep 141: “The 5×5 Garden Glow-Up: 5 Tiny Tweaks for Big Growth in 5 Days”

Saturday, September 6, 2025 • Duration 18:42

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 high “effort-to-impact” ratio. By the end of the week, your garden will feel fresh, lively, and inspiring — without you needing to tackle a major project or spend heaps of money.

I’ll also share tips on how to make these glow-ups stick, why celebrating small wins builds long-term momentum, and how to shift your mindset from waiting for “someday” projects to enjoying progress right now.

✨ Challenge for this week: Try the 5×5 Garden Glow-Up and share your results with me! Snap a before-and-after photo, tag me @themessedupgardener, and use the hashtag #GardenGlowUp so we can celebrate together.

And don’t forget — if you haven’t grabbed my free gardening guides yet, they’re still available! You’ll find practical tips for planning to harvest, chemical-free growing shortcuts, and even a garden goal-setting worksheet. All links are in the show notes.

Because at the end of the day, gardening doesn’t have to be overwhelming — it can be joyful, simple, and rewarding when you focus on the little things.

Hit play and let’s give your garden the glow-up it deserves! 🌸

🌻 Until next time: remember that gardening can happen in any space, any place, and on any budget. Have an incredibly abundant week—and I’ll buzz you later.

PS: If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss a new garden chat! And if you have a gardening question or topic you’d love me to cover, send me a message—I’d love to hear from you.

Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages

EP 52 Must Do’s to Grow a Bumper Crop of Potatoes - Ready for Christmas.

Saturday, October 28, 2023 • Duration 21:26

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 whether it's roasted, boiled, mashed, cooked with the skin on, or stuffed it is always a favourite. There are so many ways of using potato in everyday cooking and so incredibly easy to grow that regardless of your experience in the garden it is worth giving it a go and ultimately saving a tonne of money on your grocery shopping bills.

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 your Garden.

The 12-step guide to creating healthy soils in your garden. It’s so jammed full of information with actual examples of my soil sampling tests that I am considering turning it into an E book.

If you are ready to grab a freebie, email me at the themessedupgardener@gmail.com or flick me a DM and I will send it through to you.

If you are looking for some help planning your next gardening project or just need some 1 on 1 private coaching reach out and let’s get growing.

If you have a gardening business or you’re looking at starting a gardening business including arboriculture, land clearing, firewood or a general plant growing & selling business lets work together in my 1 on 1 private coaching business containers. Having helped my clients grow several 6-figure businesses including from start-ups and working on million-dollar open space management contracts for many years now, let me help you & let’s grow your business so you can leapfrog your profits and establish a viable & sustainable business

Chat 10 Quick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Cover crops what are they & are they just for over wintering?

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 • Duration 10:23

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's question was raised by Frank P from Wellington his question was Are garden cover crops just for over wintering or can you grow them any time of the year?

Have a listen.

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 your Garden.

The 12-step guide to creating healthy soils in your garden. It’s so jammed full of information with actual examples of my soil sampling tests that I am considering turning it into an E book.

If you are ready to grab a freebie, email me at the themessedupgardener@gmail.com or flick me a DM and I will send it through to you.

If you are looking for some help planning your next gardening project or just need some 1 on 1 private coaching reach out and let’s get growing.

EP 51 -Developing low maintenance systems to enable gardening with an injury while still remaining staunchly self-sufficient.

Saturday, October 21, 2023 • Duration 15:27

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 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 your Garden.

The 12-step guide to creating healthy soils in your garden. It’s so jammed full of information with actual examples of my soil sampling tests that I am considering turning it into an E book.

If you are ready to grab a freebie, email me at the themessedupgardener@gmail.com or flick me a DM and I will send it through to you.

If you are looking for some help planning your next gardening project or just need some 1 on 1 private coaching reach out and let’s get growing.

Come visit me at the @themessedupgardener on Instagram, TikTok or find me on Facebook Esther Aitken and DM me any questions you would like to have answered on the podcast regarding your garden / plants / business and I will see what I can do.

Quick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Mealybug what they are & how to eradicate them.

Tuesday, October 17, 2023 • Duration 08:28

Hi and welcome back to The Messed Up Gardener

This week's question was raised by a local listener from Katikati – asking what are mealybugs and how to treat them?

Have a listen.

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 your Garden.

The 12-step guide to creating healthy soils in your garden. It’s so jammed full of information with actual examples of my soil sampling tests that I am considering turning it into an E book.

If you are ready to grab a freebie, email me at the themessedupgardener@gmail.com or flick me a DM and I will send it through to you.

If you are looking for some help planning your next gardening project or just need some 1 on 1 private coaching reach out and let’s get growing.

Ep 50 Growing Your Best Cucumbers and Courgettes and how to preserve & store the excess.

Saturday, October 14, 2023 • Duration 26:24

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 you can use without a holding period.

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 your Garden.

The 12-step guide to creating healthy soils in your garden. It’s so jammed full of information with actual examples of my soil sampling tests that I am considering turning it into an E book.

If you are ready to grab a freebie, email me at the themessedupgardener@gmail.com or flick me a DM and I will send it through to you.

If you are looking for some help planning your next gardening project or just need some 1 on 1 private coaching reach out and let’s get growing.

Quick & Messy 10 min or less Garden Chat: Roses and Colour Reversion

Tuesday, October 10, 2023 • Duration 06:59

Hi and welcome back to The Messed Up Gardener

This week's question was raised by another listener from the US asking - our white roses are turning pink? Is it something in the soil? Anything we can do to get them white again?

Have a listen.

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 your Garden.

The 12-step guide to creating healthy soils in your garden. It’s so jammed full of information with actual examples of my soil sampling tests that I am considering turning it into an E book.

If you are ready to grab a freebie, email me at the themessedupgardener@gmail.com or flick me a DM and I will send it through to you.

If you are looking for some help planning your next gardening project or just need some 1 on 1 private coaching reach out and let’s get growing.

EP 49 Growing Your Best Capsicums & Tomatoes and how to Preserve & Store the excess

Saturday, October 7, 2023 • Duration 25:50

Hi 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 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 your Garden.

The 12-step guide to creating healthy soils in your garden. It’s so jammed full of information with actual examples of my soil sampling tests that I am considering turning it into an E book.

If you are ready to grab a freebie, email me at the themessedupgardener@gmail.com or flick me a DM and I will send it through to you.

If you are looking for some help planning your next gardening project or just need some 1 on 1 private coaching reach out and let’s get growing.

The Messed Up Gardener – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Messed Up Gardener – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other8

Buzzsprout8

Instagram1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other8

Buzzsprout8

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