Explore every episode of the podcast The Messed Up Gardener
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep 195: The Art of Growing Crops in Shady Spaces | 10 oct. 2026 | 00:27:52 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Every garden seems to have that one awkward spot. Beside the house. Behind the shed. Under a tree. Or along a fence where the sunshine barely makes an appearance. You plant something, water it, feed it and hope for the best. But the plants struggle, the harvest disappoints, and eventually you start wondering whether anything useful will grow there. Here's the thing... Shade doesn't automatically mean wasted garden space. In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores which vegetables, herbs and other edible crops can grow in shady conditions, why some plants struggle with reduced sunlight, and how to make those overlooked garden spaces productive. Because not all shade is the same. And choosing the right crop can make an enormous difference. 🌱 In This Episode You'll Discover: 🌿 The difference between full shade, partial shade and dappled sunlight 🌿 Which leafy vegetables grow best in partially shaded gardens 🌿 Why tomatoes, courgettes and other fruiting crops often struggle with reduced sunlight 🌿 Which herbs and root crops are worth trying in lower-light conditions 🌿 How shade changes watering, soil moisture and airflow 🌿 Why some plants survive in shade but never produce a worthwhile harvest 🌿 How containers can help you make better use of changing sunlight 🌿 Why oyster mushrooms offer another way to grow food in sheltered, shady spaces 🌿 How to create productive growing zones within a shady garden 🌿 A simple shade assessment to help you choose what to grow next If you've been struggling with a shady garden bed, this episode will help you stop fighting the conditions and start working with them. Because sometimes the answer isn't more fertiliser, more water or another gardening trick. It's simply choosing a crop that actually wants to grow there. 🎧 Press play above to listen. 🍄 Turn Your Shady Corner Into a Mushroom Patch Did you know that shaded garden spaces can also be suitable for growing gourmet oyster mushrooms? At Mushrooms By The Sea, we have outdoor oyster mushroom patch kits available in Raglan, Pink and Phoenix Oyster varieties. Each kit contains approximately 3 kg of mushroom mycelium, enough to establish a patch of approximately 2 m × 2 m with suitable straw and fresh woodchips. With the right moisture, airflow and growing conditions, that forgotten shady corner could become another productive part of your garden. 🍄 A Little Gift for NZ Podcast Listeners Want to try growing your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Use code SHROOM10 at checkout for 10% off your first full-priced order at Mushrooms By The Sea. Discount applies to full-priced items only and excludes already discounted products and bundles. 🌿 Let's Keep the Conversation Growing Do you have a shady corner in your garden that you've struggled to grow anything in? Or have you discovered a crop that thrives where others struggle? I'd love to hear about it! 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with another gardener or leaving a review. Every share helps more people discover the show. 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden and the Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet. 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember... Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. Have an incredibly abundant week, and I'll buzz you later. The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Use code SHROOM10 for 10% off your first full-priced order. Excludes discounted products and bundles. The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 194: Why Are Your Seedlings Growing Tall, Thin and Weak? | 03 oct. 2026 | 00:16:32 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Your seedlings germinated beautifully. Everything seemed to be going exactly to plan. Then almost overnight... ...they stretched. The stems became long and thin. They started leaning toward the window. Some began falling over. Others looked pale and weak. And suddenly that tray of promising little seedlings looks as though it may never survive the journey into the garden. So what has gone wrong? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams takes a closer look at why seedlings become tall, thin and weak, what is actually happening when they stretch, whether leggy seedlings can still be saved, and how to grow stronger seedlings from the beginning. Because a leggy seedling is not simply growing too much. It is growing in the wrong proportions. And one of the biggest clues is usually light. Seedlings naturally grow toward light. But when the available light is too weak, they can begin investing heavily in height as they try to reach better conditions. Add warmth, overcrowding, still air or poor watering habits into the mix... ...and those little seedlings can become surprisingly weak, surprisingly quickly. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 Why seedlings become tall, thin and "leggy" 🌱 What phototropism is and why seedlings naturally lean toward light 🌱 Why a bright-looking windowsill may still not provide enough useful light 🌱 Why simply rotating your seed tray doesn't actually solve the underlying problem 🌱 How warm conditions combined with weak light can encourage rapid, stretched growth 🌱 Why seedlings may benefit from slightly cooler conditions once germination has occurred 🌱 How overcrowding causes seedlings to compete for light, root space, water and nutrients 🌱 Why thinning seedlings can result in stronger plants 🌱 How gentle air movement can help seedlings develop sturdier stems 🌱 Why a leaning seedling doesn't automatically need more water 🌱 How to tell the difference between an ordinary leggy seedling and damping-off 🌱 Whether stretched seedlings can be rescued — and when restarting may actually be the better option 🌱 Why tomatoes are particularly forgiving when it comes to planting leggy seedlings deeper 🌱 Why not every seedling should be buried deeply when it is transplanted 🌱 How hardening off helps prepare indoor-grown seedlings for sunlight, wind and changing outdoor conditions 🌱 A simple seedling check to help you work out what is actually causing the problem If your seedlings are racing upward but becoming weaker rather than stronger, this episode will help you stop guessing and start looking at the growing conditions around them. Because fast growth is not always good growth. And sometimes the solution isn't more fertiliser... ...or more water. It is giving the plant the conditions it needs to grow strong, rather than simply the conditions that encourage it to grow fast. 🎧 Press play above to listen. 🍄 A Little Gift for NZ Podcast Listeners Many of you know that growing food is a big part of my world. Alongside the vegetable garden, I also grow gourmet mushrooms through Mushrooms By The Sea. If you’ve ever wanted to try growing your own gourmet mushrooms at home, I’d love to give you 10% off your first full-priced order. Simply use the code: 🍄 SHROOM10 at checkout. Discount applies to full-priced items only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with another gardener or leaving a review. Every share and every review helps more people discover the show. I’d also love to hear... What are you growing from seed at the moment — and are your seedlings short and sturdy, or enthusiastically leaning toward the nearest window? 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook / Instagram 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener 🍄 Mushrooms By The Sea 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources If you’d like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters A step-by-step guide to building simple systems that help your garden thrive. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources 🌱 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden Practical guidance from planning through to harvest. 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet Simple natural methods for chemical-free growing. 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet A practical worksheet to help you design your garden with purpose and intention. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember... Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. Have an incredibly abundant week, and I’ll buzz you later. The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 193: Is Your Mulch Helping the Garden - or Hiding a Problem? | 26 sept. 2026 | 00:28:21 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Your garden bed looks beautiful. Fresh mulch covers the soil. The weeds are hidden. Everything looks tidy and protected. But what is actually happening underneath? Is the soil staying too wet? Are slugs sheltering beside your seedlings? Or is the mulch absorbing water before it ever reaches the roots? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores how mulch affects your garden soil, when it helps, and when it can create problems you might not even realise are there. Because mulch is not automatically beneficial simply because it covers the soil. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 How mulch affects soil moisture, temperature and root health 🌱 Why too much mulch can cause waterlogging, delayed soil warming and poor plant growth 🌱 The advantages and disadvantages of different mulching materials 🌱 Why mulch depth matters and why stems, crowns and trunks need breathing space 🌱 How mulch can shelter slugs, snails and persistent weeds 🌱 Why wet mulch doesn't always mean wet soil 🌱 How mulch can conceal compaction, poor drainage and unhealthy root conditions 🌱 A simple mulch diagnosis to help you identify problems before adding another layer If your plants are struggling despite regular watering and careful garden maintenance, it might be time to look beneath the surface. Because a beautifully mulched garden bed is not necessarily a healthy one. Sometimes the most useful thing you can do is pull the mulch aside and see what is actually happening underneath. 🎧 Press play above to listen. 🍄 A Little Gift for NZ Podcast Listeners Many of you know that growing food is a big part of my world. Alongside the vegetable garden, I also grow gourmet mushrooms through Mushrooms By The Sea. If you’ve ever wanted to try growing your own gourmet mushrooms at home, I’d love to give you 10% off your first full-priced order. Simply use the code: 🍄 SHROOM10 at checkout. Discount applies to full-priced items only and cannot be used on products already on sale, discounted products or bundles. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with another gardener or leaving a review. Every share and every review helps more people discover the show. I’d also love to hear... What are you using to mulch your garden right now – and have you ever checked what is happening underneath? 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook / Instagram 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener 🍄 Mushrooms By The Sea 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources If you’d like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters A step-by-step guide to building simple systems that help your garden thrive. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources 🌱 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden Practical guidance from planning through to harvest. 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet Simple natural methods for chemical-free growing. 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet A practical worksheet to help you design your garden with purpose and intention. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember... Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. Have an incredibly abundant week, and I'll buzz you later! The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles.
The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 192: Why Flowers Appear but Fruit Never Follows | 19 sept. 2026 | 00:30:21 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Your plant is covered in flowers. The bees are visiting. Everything looks as though a bumper harvest should be just around the corner. Then the flowers fall off... ...and nothing follows. No tomatoes. No courgettes. No pumpkins. No fruit at all. So what has gone wrong? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams takes a closer look at what actually has to happen between a flower opening and a fruit beginning to grow - and the surprisingly large number of places where that process can stop. Because flowers are only the beginning. Pollination still has to happen. Fertilisation has to succeed. The right kind of flower needs to be present. The weather has to cooperate. And the plant needs enough water, energy and healthy root function to support the developing fruit. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 Why seeing flowers doesn’t necessarily mean fruit will follow 🌱 The important difference between pollination and fertilisation 🌱 How to tell male and female flowers apart on courgettes, pumpkins, cucumbers and squash 🌱 Why bees visiting your flowers doesn’t always mean successful fruit set 🌱 How heat, cold, rain and wind can interfere with pollination and fertilisation 🌱 Why inconsistent watering can cause flowers and young fruit to drop 🌱 Why adding more fertiliser may not solve the problem - and can sometimes make it worse 🌱 How incomplete pollination can lead to misshapen strawberries, poorly filled corn cobs and courgettes that begin growing before stopping 🌱 Why some fruit trees need a compatible pollinator flowering at the same time 🌱 A simple flower-to-fruit check to help you work out where the process may be failing If your garden is producing plenty of flowers but very little fruit, this episode will help you stop guessing and start looking at what is actually happening. Because a fallen flower is only the visible result. The real cause may have happened hours - or even days - earlier. 🎧 Press play above to listen. 🍄 A Little Gift for NZ Podcast Listeners Many of you know that growing food is a big part of my world. Alongside the vegetable garden, I also grow gourmet mushrooms through Mushrooms By The Sea. If you’ve ever wanted to try growing your own gourmet mushrooms at home, I’d love to give you 10% off your first order. Simply use the code: 🍄 SHROOM10 at checkout. Discount applies to full-priced items only and cannot be used on products already on sale or discounted. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with another gardener or leaving a review. Every share and every review helps more people discover the show. I’d also love to hear... What is flowering in your garden right now - and is the fruit actually following? 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook / Instagram 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener 🍄 Mushrooms By The Sea 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources If you’d like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters A step-by-step guide to building simple systems that help your garden thrive. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources 🌱 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden Practical guidance from planning through to harvest. 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet Simple natural methods for chemical-free growing. 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet A practical worksheet to help you design your garden with purpose and intention. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember... The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 191: Why Your Compost Is Not Breaking Down | 12 sept. 2026 | 00:29:58 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Your compost pile is full. You’ve added kitchen scraps, grass clippings, dry leaves and cardboard. But weeks later... ...not much seems to be happening. The pile is cold. The cardboard is still cardboard. Or worse, everything has become wet, slimy and smelly. So what has gone wrong? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams takes a closer look at what is actually happening inside a compost pile — and why decomposition sometimes slows down or seems to stop altogether. Because composting is a living process. And when the organisms doing the work are missing the right balance of food, moisture, oxygen or time, the pile will tell you. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 Why some compost piles break down faster than others 🌱 How to balance carbon-rich browns and nitrogen-rich greens 🌱 How to tell whether your compost is too wet or too dry 🌱 What bad smells can reveal about conditions inside the pile 🌱 When turning your compost helps — and when it doesn’t 🌱 Why a cold or slow compost pile is not necessarily a failed one 🌱 A simple way to diagnose what your compost actually needs If your compost has been sitting there doing very little, this episode will help you stop guessing and start reading the clues. Because sometimes your compost doesn’t need another activator, ingredient or quick fix. It simply needs the right conditions to get back to work. 🎧 Press play above to listen. 🍄 A Little Gift for NZ Podcast Listeners Many of you know that growing food is a big part of my world. Alongside the vegetable garden, I also grow gourmet oyster mushrooms through Mushrooms By The Sea. If you’ve ever wanted to try growing your own gourmet mushrooms at home, I’d love to give you 10% off your first order. Simply use the code: 🍄 SHROOM10 at checkout. Discount applies to full-priced items only and cannot be used on products already on sale or discounted. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with another gardener or leaving a review. Every share and every review helps more people discover the show. I’d also love to hear... What is happening in your compost pile right now: too dry, too wet, smelly, cold—or simply very slow? 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook / Instagram 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener 🍄 Mushrooms By The Sea 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources If you’d like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters A step-by-step guide to building simple systems that help your garden thrive. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources 🌱 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden Practical guidance from planning through to harvest. 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet Simple natural methods for chemical-free growing. 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet A practical worksheet to help you design your garden with purpose and intention. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember... The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Episode 190: What Is Really Happening When a Plant Wilts? | 29 août 2026 | 00:25:38 | |
A wilted plant can make us reach for the hose before checking anything else. But wilting does not always mean the soil is dry. A plant can wilt in wet soil, after transplanting, during hot weather, in cold conditions, or when damaged roots cannot move water properly. In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams takes a slightly more technical look at what wilting really means and why very different problems can create the same drooping leaves. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 What turgor pressure is and why plants lose their firmness 🌱 How both dry soil and waterlogged roots can cause wilting 🌱 Why some plants droop during the hottest part of the day and recover later 🌱 How transplant shock, root-bound pots, wind and cold soil affect water movement 🌱 Why water can run through a pot while the root ball remains dry 🌱 How the timing of the wilt can help reveal the cause 🌱 A simple diagnosis process to use before reaching for the hose If you have ever looked at a drooping plant and assumed it needed water... This episode will help you slow down and check what is really happening. Because watering a thirsty plant may save it. But watering a plant with damaged, oxygen-starved roots may make the problem worse. The symptom may look the same. The response should not be. 🎧 Press play above to listen. 🍄 A Little Gift for NZ Podcast Listeners Many of you know that growing food is a big part of my world. Alongside the vegetable garden, I also grow gourmet oyster mushrooms through Mushrooms By The Sea. If you’ve ever wanted to try growing your own gourmet mushrooms at home, I’d love to give you 10% off your first order. Simply use the code: 🍄 SHROOM10 at checkout. Discount applies to full-priced items only and cannot be used on products already on sale or discounted. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with another gardener or leaving a review. Every share and every review helps more people discover the show. I’d also love to hear... What is the first thing you usually do when one of your plants begins to wilt? 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook / Instagram 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener 🍄 Mushrooms By The Sea 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources If you’d like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters A step-by-step guide to building simple systems that help your garden thrive. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources 🌱 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden Practical guidance from planning through to harvest. 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet Simple natural methods for chemical-free growing. 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet A practical worksheet to help you design your garden with purpose and intention. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember... The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 189: What Are Yellow Leaves Really Trying to Tell You? | 09 août 2026 | 00:20:55 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Yellow leaves have a remarkable ability to make gardeners panic. One day the plant looks fine. The next, two leaves have turned pale. Before long, you are wondering whether it needs more water, less water, fertiliser, better soil, pest treatment... ...or a respectful burial. But yellow leaves are not a diagnosis. They are a symptom. And the position, pattern and timing of that yellowing can tell you far more than the colour alone. In Episode 189 of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams takes a slightly more technical look at what yellow leaves may really be trying to tell you. Because yellowing can be connected to nutrient shortages... But it can also be caused by waterlogged roots, dry soil, cold conditions, low light, pests, disease, transplant stress or natural ageing. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 What chlorosis means and why it describes a symptom rather than the cause 🌱 Why yellowing on older leaves may tell a different story from yellowing on new growth 🌱 How the pattern inside the leaf can help narrow down the problem 🌱 Why nutrients can be present in the soil but still unavailable to the plant 🌱 How root stress, waterlogging and compaction can cause leaves to turn yellow 🌱 Why adding more fertiliser can sometimes make the problem worse 🌱 How both overwatering and underwatering can create similar symptoms 🌱 When low light, pests, disease or physical damage may be involved 🌱 Why some yellow leaves are completely normal 🌱 A simple yellow-leaf diagnosis process you can use in your own garden If you have ever looked at a yellowing plant and wondered whether to water it, feed it, spray it or leave it alone... This episode will help you slow down, read the clues and make one measured decision at a time. Because the most useful question is not simply: “Why is this leaf yellow?” It is: “Where did the yellowing begin... and what else changed?” 🎧 Press play above to listen. 🍄 A Little Gift for NZ Podcast Listeners Many of you know that growing food is a big part of my world. Alongside the vegetable garden, I also grow gourmet oyster mushrooms through Mushrooms By The Sea. If you’ve ever wanted to try growing your own gourmet mushrooms at home, I’d love to give you 10% off your first order. Simply use the code: 🍄 SHROOM10 at checkout. Discount applies to full-priced items only and cannot be used on products already on sale or discounted. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with another gardener or leaving a review. Every share and every review helps more people discover the show. I’d also love to hear... What plant in your garden is showing yellow leaves at the moment? 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook / Instagram 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener 🍄 Mushrooms By The Sea 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources If you’d like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters A step-by-step guide to building simple systems that help your garden thrive. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources 🌱 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden Practical guidance from planning through to harvest. 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet Simple natural methods for chemical-free growing. 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet A practical worksheet to help you design your garden with purpose and intention. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember... The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 188: What Is Winter Really Doing to Your Garden? | 01 août 2026 | 00:24:03 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Winter damage does not always happen in one obvious moment. More often, it builds slowly through cold soil, wet roots, short days, wind and plants that cannot recover as quickly as they would in spring or summer. That is why winter problems are so easy to misread. A plant may still be alive, but growth has stopped. Leaves begin to yellow. Soil stays wet for days. Seedlings barely move. And before long, we assume the garden needs more water, more fertiliser or more protection. But sometimes the garden is not asking for more. It is asking you to understand what kind of stress it is under. In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams takes a more technical look at what winter is really doing to your garden. You’ll discover: 🌱 The difference between slowed growth, cold stress and frost damage 🌱 Why wet soil can be more dangerous than frost 🌱 What frost cloth really does and how to use it properly 🌱 How winter wind, poor airflow and waterlogging affect plant health 🌱 Why pale or stalled plants do not always need more fertiliser 🌱 How to judge winter watering more accurately 🌱 Which plants to protect, monitor or let go 🌱 A simple winter survival check to use this week If you have ever wondered whether a winter plant is cold, hungry, waterlogged, frost-damaged or simply waiting for better conditions... This episode will help you look beyond the symptoms and understand what may really be happening. Because winter gardening is often less about encouraging growth... ...and more about protecting the garden’s ability to grow again. 🎧 Press play above to listen. 🍄 A Little Gift for NZ Podcast Listeners Many of you know that growing food is a big part of my world. Alongside the vegetable garden, I also grow gourmet oyster mushrooms through Mushrooms By The Sea. If you’ve ever wanted to try growing your own gourmet mushrooms at home, I’d love to give you 10% off your first order. Simply use the code: 🍄 SHROOM10 at checkout. Discount applies to full-priced items only and cannot be used on products already on sale or discounted. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with another gardener or leaving a review. Every share and every review helps more people discover the show. I’d also love to hear... What is the biggest winter challenge in your garden right now: frost, wind, wet soil or something else? 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook / Instagram 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener 🍄 Mushrooms By The Sea 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources If you’d like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters A step-by-step guide to building simple systems that help your garden thrive. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources 🌱 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden Practical guidance from planning through to harvest. 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet Simple natural methods for chemical-free growing. 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet A practical worksheet to help you design your garden with purpose and intention. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember... The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 187: Before You Rip Everything Out... | 25 juil. 2026 | 00:20:00 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today's Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Have you ever stood in your garden and thought... "That's it. I'm ripping everything out." Not because the garden has failed... But because it suddenly feels too messy. Too many weeds. Too many unfinished jobs. Too many decisions waiting all at once. In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores one of the biggest mistakes many gardeners make when they feel overwhelmed. Because most gardens don't actually need rebuilding. They need resetting. A messy garden isn't always a sign that everything has gone wrong. Sometimes it's simply a sign that life has been busy, the seasons are changing, and the garden is asking for one small, sensible step instead of one enormous project. In this episode you'll discover: 🌱 Why most messy gardens don't need a complete rebuild 🌱 The difference between a garden that's noisy and a garden that's truly struggling 🌱 How finding what's still working can completely change the way you see your garden 🌱 Why reducing visual clutter often makes the real problems much easier to solve 🌱 The power of choosing one recovery zone instead of trying to fix everything at once 🌱 How removing everyday gardening frustrations helps you build momentum again 🌱 A simple garden reset exercise you can try this week If you've ever looked at your garden and felt tempted to start over... This episode is a reminder that you probably don't need a fresh start. You just need the next sensible step. 🎧 Press play above to listen. 🍄 A Little Gift for NZ Podcast Listeners Many of you know that growing food is a big part of my world. Alongside the vegetable garden, I also grow gourmet oyster mushrooms through Mushrooms By The Sea. If you've ever wanted to try growing your own gourmet mushrooms at home, I'd love to give you 10% off your first order. Simply use the code: 🍄 SHROOM10 at checkout. Discount applies to full-priced items only and cannot be used on products already on sale or discounted. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with another gardener or leaving a review. Every share and every review helps more people discover the show. I'd also love to hear... What's one small reset your garden needs right now? 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook / Instagram 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener 🍄 Mushrooms By The Sea 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters A step-by-step guide to building simple systems that help your garden thrive. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources 🌱 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden Practical guidance from planning through to harvest. 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet Simple natural methods for chemical-free growing. 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet A practical worksheet to help you design your garden with purpose and intention. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember... The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 186: The Crops That Teach You How to Garden | 18 juil. 2026 | 00:25:12 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Have you ever noticed that some crops seem to teach you far more than they ever produce? Not because they're difficult... But because they're honest. A row of radishes can teach you about timing. A lettuce can teach you when conditions are changing. Silver beet quietly builds confidence. Tomatoes have a remarkable way of keeping even experienced gardeners humble. In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores why the simplest crops often become our greatest teachers. Because beginner crops are not really beginner crops at all. They're foundation crops. The ones that quietly help us develop the habits, confidence, and observation skills that stay with us for years. In this episode you'll discover: 🌱 Why the easiest crops often teach the biggest gardening lessons 🌱 How silver beet quietly builds confidence when other crops struggle 🌱 Why lettuce, beans, peas, and radishes give some of the clearest feedback in the garden 🌱 The surprising lessons tomatoes, potatoes, herbs, and zucchini can teach every gardener 🌱 Why matching crops to the skills you want to develop can transform the way you garden 🌱 How simplifying your garden can actually help you learn more 🌱 One simple question to ask before planting your next crop If you've ever wondered whether you're "doing gardening right"... This episode is a gentle reminder that every crop is teaching you something. Sometimes the most ordinary crops grow the best gardeners. 🎧 Press play above to listen. 🍄 A Little Gift for Podcast Listeners Many of you know that growing food is a big part of my world. Alongside the vegetable garden, I also grow gourmet oyster mushrooms through Mushrooms By The Sea. If you've ever wanted to try growing your own gourmet mushrooms at home, I'd love to give you 10% off your first order. Use the code: 🍄 SHROOM10 at checkout on your first order. Discount applies to full-priced items only and cannot be used on products already on sale or discounted. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with another gardener or leaving a review. Every share and every review helps more people discover the show. I'd also love to hear... Which crop has taught you the most? 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook / Instagram 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener 🍄 Mushrooms By The Sea 🌱 Helpful Garden ResourcesIf you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters A step-by-step guide to building simple systems that help your garden thrive. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources 🌱 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden Practical guidance from planning through to harvest. 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet Simple natural methods for chemical-free growing. 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet A practical worksheet to help you design your garden with purpose and intention. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember... The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 185: What Your Garden Is Trying to Tell You | 11 juil. 2026 | 00:25:13 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Have you ever walked into your garden and immediately assumed something had gone wrong? A yellow leaf. A wilted seedling. A plant that suddenly looks unhappy for no obvious reason. It's amazing how quickly a garden can make us feel like we've failed. But what if your garden isn't criticizing you at all? What if it's simply trying to tell you something? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores one of the most valuable gardening skills you can develop—not growing better plants, but learning how to read what your garden is trying to communicate. Because every garden is constantly giving feedback. The challenge is learning the difference between information, genuine problems, and the stories we tell ourselves. Not every yellow leaf is a disaster. Not every pest is a crisis. And not every struggling plant means you're doing something wrong. Sometimes the best thing a gardener can do isn't react faster... It's pause, observe, and ask better questions. In this episode you'll discover: 🌱 Why gardens are constantly giving feedback—and why that isn't bad news 🌱 How to stop turning every garden problem into a personal failure 🌱 Why most garden feedback isn't nearly as urgent as it first feels 🌱 The difference between symptoms, causes, and assumptions 🌱 How weather, timing and a plant's natural life cycle often explain more than we realize 🌱 Why overcorrecting can sometimes create bigger problems than the original issue 🌱 A simple garden feedback walk that will help you make calmer, more confident gardening decisions If you've ever found yourself standing in the garden wondering... "What have I done wrong?" This episode offers a completely different way of looking at what your garden is trying to tell you. Because feedback isn't failure. It's how the garden teaches us. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with another gardener or leaving a review. Every share and every review helps more people discover the show. I'd also love to hear what your own garden has been teaching you lately. 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com https://www.mushroomsbythesea.co.nz/products/blue-oyster-grow-kit 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook / Instagram 🌿 The Messed Up Gardener 🍄 Mushrooms By The Sea 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters A step-by-step guide to building simple systems that help your garden thrive. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a selection of free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence and grow more successfully. 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden Practical guidance from planning through to harvest. 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet Simple natural methods for chemical-free growing. 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet A practical worksheet to help you design your garden with purpose and intention. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember: The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 184: Stop Starting Over Every Season | 04 juil. 2026 | 00:23:48 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Have you ever found yourself standing in the garden thinking… "Right... time to start again." It feels like a new season means beginning from scratch. New crops. New plans. New jobs. But what if that's not actually true? What if your garden has been quietly building on everything you've already done—even when it doesn't look like it? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores one of the biggest mindset shifts gardeners can make. Because while the plants may change with the seasons, the garden itself never truly starts over. Your soil remembers. Your compost keeps working.Your trees keep growing. And every success, mistake and observation leaves something valuable behind for the next season. This episode is all about learning to see the progress that's already there instead of constantly feeling like you're back at the beginning. In this episode you'll discover: 🌱 Why your garden is never really "starting over" 🌱 The hidden progress that's happening beneath the surface every season 🌱 How the awkward in-between stages often teach us the most 🌱 Why optimism works best when it's paired with evidence from your own garden 🌱 The simple question that leads to better planting decisions every season 🌱 How to identify the little frustrations that are quietly making gardening harder than it needs to be 🌱 What Esther calls your Garden Capital—and why recognising it changes everything If you've ever looked at an empty garden bed and felt like all your hard work has disappeared… This episode will help you see your garden in a completely different way. Because every season leaves something behind. The trick is learning to notice it. 🎧 Press play above to listen. This week's episode also includes a special shout-out to Beequip NZ, a fantastic New Zealand beekeeping supplier that Esther has personally enjoyed working with. From innovative beekeeping equipment to some of the best customer service you'll find, they're well worth checking out. 🐝 Beequip NZ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with another gardener or leaving a review. Every share and every review helps more people discover the show. I'd also love to hear what your own garden has taught you this season. 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook / Instagram 🌿 The Messed Up Gardener, 🍄 Mushrooms By The Sea 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters A step-by-step guide to building simple systems that help your garden thrive. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a selection of free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence and grow more successfully. 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden Practical guidance from planning through to harvest. 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet Simple natural methods for chemical-free growing. 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet A practical worksheet to help you design your garden with purpose and intention. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 183: The Garden Bottleneck You Don't Know You Have | 27 juin 2026 | 00:17:51 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Have you ever felt like your garden is working harder than it should? The plants are growing... You're putting in the effort... But somehow the results never seem to match the work. What if the problem isn't that your garden has lots of things going wrong... What if one hidden constraint is quietly holding everything else back? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores one of the most overlooked ideas in home gardening — the garden bottleneck. Not in a complicated or highly technical way... But through practical, everyday examples that will help you start seeing your own garden differently. Because the truth is, many gardeners spend their time treating symptoms instead of identifying the one thing that's limiting the entire system. Sometimes it's sunlight. Sometimes it's watering. Sometimes it's time. Sometimes it's simply the way the garden fits into your daily life. When you learn to recognise these hidden bottlenecks, gardening becomes less about constantly working harder and more about making thoughtful changes that create lasting improvements. In this episode you'll discover: 🌱 Why several garden problems can often be traced back to one hidden limitation 🌱 How to tell the difference between a symptom and the real cause 🌱 Why more effort doesn't always produce better results 🌱 The surprising bottlenecks that have nothing to do with soil, fertiliser, or pests 🌱 How good garden design quietly removes frustration before it begins 🌱 Why convenience plays a much bigger role in productivity than most gardeners realise 🌱 The forgotten harvest bottleneck that causes many home gardens to underperform 🌱 A simple way to start thinking like a "garden detective" and identify what's really holding your garden back If you've ever looked around your garden and wondered why things just don't seem to be coming together... This episode may help you discover that you've been solving the wrong problem. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It helps more people discover the show and supports the continued growth of our gardening community. I'd also love to hear what you think your biggest garden bottleneck is. Sometimes another pair of eyes is all it takes to spot the one thing quietly limiting everything else. 📩 Reach out here: 🌿 Follow the Journey 🌿 The Messed Up Gardener 🍄 Shesther's Gourmet 🍄Mushrooms by the Sea www.mushroomsbythesea.co.nz 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters A step-by-step guide to building simple systems that help your garden thrive. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden Practical guidance from planning through to harvest 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet Simple natural methods for chemical-free growing 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet A simple worksheet to help you plan your garden with intention https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 182: The Difference Between a Pretty Garden and a Useful Garden | 20 juin 2026 | 00:24:46 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes What makes a garden successful? Is it the tidy paths? The beautiful flowers? The perfectly mulched beds? Or is it something else entirely? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores a question that can completely change the way you look at your garden: Is your garden useful? Because while there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a beautiful garden, appearance and usefulness are not always the same thing. A garden can look incredible and still be difficult to maintain. It can be full of plants and still contribute very little to your meals. It can photograph beautifully and still create more work than support. In this episode, Esther unpacks the difference between gardening for appearance and gardening for purpose, and explains why the most rewarding gardens often find a balance between beauty and function. In this episode you'll discover: 🌱 Why tidy gardens often feel more successful than they really are 🌱 How social media can quietly distort our expectations of what a garden should look like 🌱 The difference between a garden that serves the gardener and a garden that serves the image 🌱 What makes a garden genuinely useful beyond simply producing food 🌱 A practical test you can use to evaluate any area of your garden 🌱 Simple ways to make a beautiful garden more productive and functional 🌱 How to make a productive garden feel more inviting and enjoyable 🌱 Why function should often come before appearance when time, money, and energy are limited If you've ever looked at your garden and felt like it wasn't quite measuring up, this episode offers a refreshing reminder that success isn't always found in how a garden looks. Sometimes it's found in how well it supports your life. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It helps more people discover the show and supports the continued growth of the podcast. 📩 Reach out here: Follow the Journey 🌿 The Messed Up Gardener 🍄 Shesther's Gourmet Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 181: Why Your Garden Should Have Jobs, Not Just Plants | 13 juin 2026 | 00:22:42 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes What if your garden is full of plants… but still isn’t doing enough for you? What if the problem isn’t how much you’re growing… but whether each part of the garden has a clear job? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores a simple shift that can completely change the way you plan, plant, and manage your garden. Instead of only asking: “What can I grow here?” You begin asking: “What does this space need to do?” Because a useful garden is more than a collection of plants. It is a working system. One area may support regular meals, while another improves the soil, attracts pollinators, provides shade, reduces wind, or makes harvesting easier. Even a quiet corner or favourite flower can have an important role if it adds beauty, joy, or a reason to spend more time outside. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 Why a full garden is not always a functional garden 🌱 How different crops perform different food jobs in your household 🌱 Why herbs, leafy greens, storage crops, and confidence crops all contribute in different ways 🌱 How healthy soil quietly supports almost everything else happening in the garden 🌱 Why some of the most valuable garden work is done for future seasons 🌱 How one plant can provide food, shelter, shade, habitat, and pollinator support at the same time 🌱 Why flowers and flowering herbs should be treated as part of the food-growing system 🌱 How microclimates, wind, shade, and plant placement affect the success of your crops 🌱 Why convenience and easy access can make the difference between food being harvested or forgotten 🌱 How spending time in the garden helps you notice small problems before they become much harder to manage 🌱 Why joy is still a completely valid and valuable garden job This episode is not about turning your backyard into a rigid production system where every plant has to earn its place through food or savings. It is about creating a garden with more intention. A garden that supports the way you live. A garden that becomes easier to understand, easier to improve, and more useful over time. If parts of your garden feel busy, demanding, or unclear, this episode will help you look at them differently and decide what job they could be doing instead. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It helps more people discover the show. Follow the Journey 🌿 The Messed Up Gardener Helpful Garden Resources If you’d like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| EP 180: The Garden Maintenance Trap | 06 juin 2026 | 00:19:49 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes What if your garden isn't actually too big... But simply asking for too much work? Why do some gardens feel enjoyable and productive... while others slowly become a never-ending list of jobs? And what if the problem isn't how hard you're working... but the way the garden has been designed? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores something many gardeners experience but rarely talk about: The Garden Maintenance Trap. It's that point where the garden starts demanding more and more of your time. And somehow the garden that was supposed to bring joy starts feeling like another responsibility. The good news? Many of these frustrations aren't caused by a lack of gardening skill. They're often caused by systems that quietly create unnecessary work. In this episode you'll discover: 🌱 Why being busy in the garden doesn't always mean you're making progress 🌱 The difference between productive work and reactive work 🌱 How small frustrations quietly multiply into major maintenance problems 🌱 Why bare soil often creates more work than gardeners realise 🌱 Simple ways to make watering easier and less stressful 🌱 How overcrowding can increase maintenance while reducing productivity 🌱 Why garden access has a bigger impact than most people think 🌱 The hidden mental load created by too many different systems 🌱 A simple maintenance audit you can use in your own garden this week If your garden has ever felt like it's becoming harder to keep up with... or if you're finding yourself constantly rescuing plants, chasing weeds, and trying to catch up... this episode will help you identify what's creating the workload and how to start reducing it. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It genuinely helps more people discover the show and keeps The Messed-Up Gardener growing. And on a personal note, I also share some exciting news in this episode about a brand-new chapter in my mushroom-growing journey. It's something I've been quietly working on behind the scenes for quite some time and I'm finally able to talk about it. 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com 🌿 Follow the Journey 🌿 The Messed Up Gardener 🍄 Shesther's Gourmet 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters A step-by-step guide to building simple systems that help your garden thrive. https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden Practical guidance from planning through to harvest 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet Simple natural methods for chemical-free growing 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet A simple worksheet to help you plan your garden with intention https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 179: Stop Growing a Garden You Can’t Maintain | 30 mai 2026 | 00:22:35 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes What if your garden isn’t failing because you’re bad at gardening… but because it’s asking more from you than your real life can realistically give? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores one of the most important but overlooked parts of gardening: maintainability. Because a lot of gardens don’t fail from lack of passion. They fail because the garden was built for an ideal life… not a real one. The one with work, weather, busy weeks, sore backs, low energy, and days where life simply gets in the way. This episode is all about building a garden that fits your actual time, energy, watering capacity, and routine — so the garden supports you instead of overwhelming you. From: too many beds, too many pots, and too much pressure… to: a garden that feels manageable, productive, and easier to keep returning to. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 Why bigger gardens can quickly become bigger problems If your garden has started to feel like one more thing on your to-do list… this episode will help you step back and rethink what your garden actually needs to become sustainable long term. Because maintainability is not about giving up. It is about building a garden you can keep showing up for. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It helps more people discover the show. Feel free to reach out. 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com Facebook Helpful Garden Resources 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 178: Why Some Gardens Feed You Regularly… and Others Don’t | 23 mai 2026 | 00:25:10 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes What if your garden is growing plenty of food… but still not really feeding you consistently? What if the difference isn’t how much your garden produces… but how often it gives you something useful? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams breaks down one of the most important shifts a gardener can make — moving from occasional harvests to regular, usable food. Because some gardens give you food once in a while… and others quietly support your meals every single week. This episode is all about understanding that difference — and how to design your garden so it actually fits into your real life. From: random, unpredictable harvests… to a steady, reliable food rhythm. From: “that’s nice” garden moments… to a garden that genuinely supports your kitchen. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 The real difference between a garden that produces food and one that actually feeds you If your garden gives you a big harvest… then nothing for weeks… then a few random bits here and there… this episode will help you understand why. Because a garden that feeds you regularly is not about growing more. It’s about growing with structure, rhythm, and intention. It’s about having something… small, simple, and useful… showing up often enough to matter. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It helps more people discover the show. Feel free to reach out. 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com Facebook Ep 176 The Hidden weeks that make or break a garden https://www.buzzsprout.com/2076652/episodes/19080171 Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources. 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 177: Stop Letting Harvests Happen By Accident | 16 mai 2026 | 00:26:11 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes What if your garden is producing food… but still not really feeding you? What if the problem isn’t how much your garden grows… but whether the harvests arrive in a way you can actually use? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams talks about why so many harvests happen by accident — and how to start turning random garden surprises into useful, regular food support. This episode is all about moving from: random harvests… to intentional harvests. From garden surprises… to garden support. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 The difference between growing food and actually using food If your garden gives you one big pile of food… then nothing for weeks… then a few random bits here and there… this episode will help you think differently about harvesting. Because a useful garden is not just one that grows food. It is one that gives you food at the right time, in the right amount, and often enough to matter. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It helps more people discover the show. Feel free to reach out. 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com Facebook Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources. 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| EP 176: The Hidden Weeks That Make or Break a Garden | 09 mai 2026 | 00:25:11 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes What if your garden isn’t failing all at once… it’s quietly losing momentum in the weeks you don’t notice? What if the problem isn’t the day you plant… or the day you harvest… but the hidden weeks in between? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams talks about one of the most overlooked parts of productive gardening: timing. Not just planting dates. Not just seed packets. Not just seasons. But the quiet timing inside the garden. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 Why gardens often lose momentum quietly before anything looks wrong If your garden often starts strong… then slows down… gets patchy… or seems to get away on you halfway through the season… this episode will help you see where the real timing gaps are happening. And once you can see those hidden weeks… 👉 you can start using them. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It helps more people discover the show. Feel free to reach out. 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com Facebook Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources. 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 175: How to grow more without more space (or effort) | 02 mai 2026 | 00:22:18 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Hi, welcome to The Messed-Up Gardener Most gardeners think they need more space to grow more food. A bigger section. But what if that’s not the real problem? What if your garden already has the capacity to produce more… 👉 it’s just not being used properly? In this episode, Esther Williams breaks down one of the biggest misconceptions in gardening 🌱 In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 Why “more space” is rarely the real solution to low output 🌱 The hidden inefficiencies that quietly reduce production 🌱 What’s actually causing stop-start results in most gardens 🌱 Where space is being wasted (even when your garden looks full) 🌱 The concept of layering — and how it multiplies output 🌱 Why flow matters more than size when it comes to productivity 🌱 The one question that keeps your garden producing continuously 🌱 How to get more from the same space without increasing your workload If your garden feels full… but not as productive as it should be… 👉 this episode will change how you use your space 🎧 Press play above to listen If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It genuinely helps more people discover the show. And if you’d like structured support to make your garden more productive… my practical guides are waiting for you below 👇 🌿 Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌱 Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 174: Stop Growing the Wrong Crops (This Is What Actually Saves Money) | 25 avr. 2026 | 00:26:09 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes What if your garden isn’t failing… Why do so many gardens look productive… And what if the problem isn’t how you’re growing… In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams breaks down one of the biggest blind spots in gardening. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 Why most gardens feel productive — but don’t actually deliver results If you’ve ever felt like your garden should be doing more… but you can’t quite figure out why it isn’t… this episode will show you exactly where things are going wrong. And more importantly… 👉 how to fix it. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It helps more people discover the show. Feel free to reach out. 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com Facebook Episode links mentioned in the episode: Ep 168: If Supermarkets Closed Tomorrow, Could Your Garden Feed You? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2076652/episodes/18845048 Ep 171: Why Your Garden Isn’t Saving You Money (And How to Fix It) https://www.buzzsprout.com/2076652/episodes/18960724 Ep 172: What a $100 Garden REALLY Looks Like (And Why Most People Get It Wrong) https://www.buzzsprout.com/2076652/episodes/18987083 Ep 173: Why Most Gardens Fail in the First 90 Days (And How to Avoid It) https://www.buzzsprout.com/2076652/episodes/18987118 Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 173: Why Most Gardens Fail in the First 90 Days (And How to Avoid It) | 18 avr. 2026 | 00:22:46 | |
🎧Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes What if nothing has actually gone wrong with your garden… But it just feels like it has? Why do so many gardens start strong… Only to slow down, stall, and become confusing within the first few weeks? And what if the problem isn’t what you’re doing… But when you’re expecting results? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams walks you through the stage most gardeners don’t fully understand — the first 90 days. Not in a complicated or technical way… But in a clear, practical way that helps you understand what’s actually happening beneath the surface. Because the truth is, most gardens don’t fail because people stop trying. They struggle because the early stages don’t behave the way people expect them to. And without understanding that… it’s easy to start second-guessing everything. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 Why early growth can be misleading — and what it actually means 🌱 What really happens between days 14–30 (and why things start to feel “off”) 🌱 The “Mistake Window” — where most gardens get overcorrected 🌱 Why gardens don’t respond instantly (and how this creates confusion) 🌱 The stage where confidence drops — and why this is completely normal 🌱 What successful gardeners do differently during this period 🌱 The simple 90-day framework to help your garden stabilise and start working If your garden has ever started well…but then felt inconsistent, slow, or uncertain… this episode will help you understand exactly why. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It helps more people discover the show. And if you’d like to see what I’m working on behind the scenes — including our current greenhouse setup (yes… 5000 strawberry plants incoming 😅) — feel free to reach out. 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com 🌐 www.themessedupgardener.com 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook 🌱 Helpful Garden Resources If you’d like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌿 Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 172: What a $100 Garden REALLY Looks Like (And Why Most People Get It Wrong) | 11 avr. 2026 | 00:21:26 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes What does a real $100 garden actually look like? And more importantly… 👉 would it actually save you money? Because a lot of people are starting gardens right now… spending hundreds… sometimes thousands… And still not seeing a real return. In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams breaks down what happens when you strip it all back. No overbuilding. No unnecessary spend. No Pinterest-perfect setups. Just a simple question: 👉 If you had $100… how would you build a garden that actually works? 👉 Something that starts reducing your grocery bill. Because once you understand how to structure a garden properly… everything starts to shift. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 How to break down a $100 garden budget so every dollar actually contributes to food 🌱 The simple shift that changes what you grow (and why most people get this wrong) 🌱 How to choose crops based on real return — not just what feels rewarding 🌱 Why some crops quietly carry your entire garden (and others don’t) 🌱 The most common mistakes that waste time, money, and momentum 🌱 What actually happens in the first 30–90 days of a working garden 🌱 How a small garden can realistically start replacing $10–$20 per week in groceries 🌱 Why gardens don’t save money instantly — but build value over time If you’ve ever felt like your garden should be doing more… or wondered whether it’s actually worth the effort… this episode will help you step back and see things differently. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It genuinely helps more people discover the show. And if you're ready to start building a garden that actually works… my practical guides are waiting for you in the links below. 📩 Reach out here: themessedupgardener@gmail.com 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook 🛠 Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters
🌿 Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 171: Why Your Garden Isn’t Saving You Money… (And How to Fix It) | 04 avr. 2026 | 00:29:00 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode 👉 Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes Hi Welcome to The Messed Up Gardener Most gardens look productive… But are they actually saving you money? Or just making you feel like they are? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores a question most gardeners never stop to ask. Because the truth is, many gardens are beautifully designed for enjoyment… 👉 but not for financial impact That doesn’t mean your garden isn’t valuable. In fact — the opposite is true. When you start looking at your garden through a slightly different lens… you begin to see where the real opportunity is. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 Why most gardens replace the cheapest parts of your grocery bill — not the expensive ones 🌱 The simple mindset shift that turns a garden from a hobby into a strategy 🌱 What “high-impact crops” actually are — and why they matter 🌱 The $1 vs $10 rule that changes how you choose what to grow 🌱 Why some gardens never save money (even when they should) 🌱 How small changes can quietly reduce your grocery bill over time 🌱 The hidden ways gardening saves money beyond just what you harvest If you’ve ever wondered why your garden isn’t making a bigger difference financially… 👉 this episode will change how you see everything you grow 🎧 Press play above to listen If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It genuinely helps more people discover the show. And if you'd like structured help turning your garden into something more productive… my guides are waiting for you below 👇 🌿 Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 🌱 Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now 🌿 Follow the Journey Facebook 📩 themessedupgardener@gmail.com Until next time, remember: The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 170: The Hidden Reason Many People Give Up Gardening | 28 mars 2026 | 00:16:19 | |
🎧 Listen to Today’s Episode Most people don’t give up gardening because they didn’t enjoy it. They give up because the first year feels harder than they expected. Because what most people don’t realise is this: The first year isn’t about success. And many gardeners stop just before everything starts to get easier. In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores what’s really happening during that first season — and why it can feel frustrating, confusing, and sometimes overwhelming. Not because you’re doing it wrong… 🌱 In this episode you’ll discover: 🌿 Why the first year of gardening is often the hardest If you’ve ever felt like your garden wasn’t working… This episode will help you realise: You’re not failing. 🌿 If This Episode Helped Share it with someone who might be feeling discouraged in their garden 🌱 🌿 Free Gardening Resources 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet Until next time, remember: The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 169: Why Knowing How to Grow Food Changes the Way You See the World | 21 mars 2026 | 00:25:46 | |
🎧 Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode What if the way you see food… isn’t the full picture? Most people experience food as something finished. But the moment you start growing your own food… Because once you understand how food is actually grown — In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores the quiet but powerful mindset shifts that happen when you start growing your own food. Not in a complicated way — In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 Why food stops feeling like a product — and starts feeling like a process If you’ve ever felt like gardening is “just a hobby”… Because gardening isn’t just about growing food. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who might need a fresh perspective on food, gardening, or simply slowing down. And if you haven’t already, leaving a review genuinely helps this podcast grow and reach more gardeners. And just quietly… The very first Messed-Up Gardener product is about to go live 🌿 If you'd like early access before it launches publicly, send me a message and I’ll happily send you the waitlist link. 📩 Reach out here: Follow the Journey Facebook Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 168: If Supermarkets Closed Tomorrow, Could Your Garden Feed You? | 14 mars 2026 | 00:19:57 | |
🎧Press Play to Listen to Today’s Episode Free Gardening Resources at the bottom of the show notes What would actually happen if the supermarkets shut tomorrow? Would your garden feed you? Or would it simply provide a few fresh ingredients for dinner? In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams explores a question most gardeners never stop to ask. Not in a dramatic or doomsday way — but in a practical, thoughtful way. Because the truth is, many home gardens are beautifully designed for flavour and variety, but not necessarily for energy or food security. That doesn’t mean gardens aren’t valuable. In fact, the opposite is true. When you start looking at your garden through a slightly different lens, you begin to understand something powerful about food, resilience, and the quiet skills that gardeners develop over time. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 Why most home gardens are designed to supplement meals rather than feed households 🌱 The surprising difference between “support crops” and “fuel crops” 🌱 Why staple crops like potatoes, corn and beans have historically fed entire civilizations 🌱 The often overlooked role of storage crops in real food resilience 🌱 Why garden design and crop choice quietly determine how productive a garden can become 🌱 The hidden advantage every gardener gains simply by learning how to grow food If you’ve ever wondered whether your garden could provide more than just seasonal vegetables, this episode will help you step back and see your garden from a completely new perspective. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It helps more people discover the show. And if you'd like to see what I'm working on behind the scenes, our very first Messed-Up Gardener product is about to go live. If you'd like a sneak peek before the launch, send me a message and I’ll happily send you the waitlist link. 📩 Reach out here: Follow the Journey Facebook Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can explore some of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 167: Why Sustainable Gardens Get Easier Every Year (And Why Some Get Harder) | 07 mars 2026 | 00:26:55 | |
🎧 Listen to Today’s Episode Some gardens quietly become easier every year. Others slowly become harder — and before you realise it, you feel like you’re constantly catching up… watering more, fixing more, rescuing more. But the difference usually isn’t effort. It’s strategy. In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams resets the idea of “sustainable gardening” and explains why the gardens that thrive long-term are almost always built on a few simple systems working together. Not perfection. Just thoughtful design. In this episode you’ll discover: 🌱 Why some gardens become easier every season while others slowly become more work If your garden has ever felt like it’s getting harder instead of easier, this episode will help you step back and see what might be missing. 🎧 Press play above to listen. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a fellow gardener or leaving a review. It helps more people discover the show. And if you’d like support building confidence in your own garden — or even exploring a garden-based business idea — I still have a few one-on-one mentoring spaces available. 📩 Reach out here: www.themessedupgardener.com Follow the journey Facebook Helpful Garden Resources If you'd like to keep learning, you can also explore a few of my practical gardening resources: 🌱 Create Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planters Free Gardening Resources You can also grab a few of my free guides designed to help gardeners build confidence: 🌿 12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden 🌿 Organic Gardening Cheat Sheet 🌿 Garden Goals Planning Worksheet Until next time, remember: Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 166: The Hidden Mistake Most Gardeners Don’t Even Realize They’re Making | 28 févr. 2026 | 00:20:53 | |
Why Strategic Gardening Always Beats Reactive Gardening Sometimes the most damaging thing you can do in a garden… is intervene too quickly. In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther unpacks the hidden mistake most gardeners don’t even realize they’re making — reacting to symptoms instead of strengthening systems. We explore: • The difference between reactive and strategic gardening If your garden has ever felt exhausting, unpredictable, or harder than it should be — this episode will change the way you think about every droop, yellow leaf, and seasonal shift. Because strategic gardening isn’t about doing more. It’s about reacting less — and preparing better. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Gourmet 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 165: Autumn Is Where Smart Gardens Win - What to Do Before It Gets Cold | 21 févr. 2026 | 00:21:58 | |
Autumn isn’t the end of the season — it’s leverage season. In this episode, Esther breaks down how smart gardeners prepare before the cold really hits. You’ll learn the key mindset shift for autumn, the five strategic moves that set your garden up for winter success, and the common mistakes that quietly create stress later. No hype. No overwhelm. Just steady, practical preparation. Because winter doesn’t defeat gardeners — winter reveals preparation. 🌿 If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| EP 164: Transplant Shock Isn’t About Transplanting — Here’s A low-stress system for seedlings that flop after planting out | 14 févr. 2026 | 00:20:28 | |
Have you ever planted out a seedling, stood back proud… then come out the next morning to find it flopped over like it’s regretting all its life choices? 😅 In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, we’re breaking down “transplant shock” in a way that actually makes it feel manageable — because most of the time, it’s not about you doing something wrong… it’s about your plant adjusting to a sudden environmental reset. You’ll learn how to tell the difference between normal transplant stress and real damage, plus a calm, layered plan that stabilises seedlings without turning you into an exhausted full-time plant nurse. This episode is designed to lower the panic, reduce seedling losses, and help you respond calmly instead of escalating into “water it again and hope” mode. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝 Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 163: Slugs & Snails Are Back — Here’s the Calm Plan That Actually Works | 07 févr. 2026 | 00:20:53 | |
Ep 163: Slugs & Snails Are Back — Here’s the Calm Plan That Actually Works A targeted, low-tox slug strategy for seedlings and soft growth Slugs are back — and if you’ve walked outside to find seedlings chewed overnight, this episode is for you. In this calm, practical mini-masterclass, Esther breaks down a low-stress, realistic approach to managing slugs and snails without turning your garden into a chemical zone or exhausting yourself trying to “fix everything.” This episode isn’t about eradicating slugs. If slug damage has been making your garden feel like a nightly loss, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and move forward with confidence.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Episode 162: Tabletop Veg Is the 2026 Trend — Here’s How to Actually Make It Work - Tiny pots, real harvests, and the few things that matter | 31 janv. 2026 | 00:25:33 | |
Growing food is changing — and this episode explains why tabletop veg is having a real moment, not just a social media one. In Episode 162 of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther Williams breaks down how growing edible plants at waist height — on tables, benches, decks, balconies, and patios — is becoming one of the most practical, accessible ways to grow food in 2026 and beyond. This episode is calm, practical, and designed for real life. No hype. No pressure. Just clear guidance for anyone who wants to grow food in a small space, with limited time or energy. Whether you’re gardening on a balcony, a patio, a deck, or just outside your kitchen door, this episode will help you grow food in a way that feels doable — and sustainable. ✨ Because a tabletop garden counts. 🎧 Listen now and start small, keep it close, and let it be enough. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 161: Most Gardening Advice Sounds Helpful — Here’s What Actually Is 5 myths, 5 truths, and the things that make a real difference | 24 janv. 2026 | 00:22:51 | |
5 myths, 5 truths, and the things that make a real difference Gardening advice is everywhere — and a lot of it sounds helpful. In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther slows things right down. After a week shaped by extreme weather, disrupted travel, and a reminder of how quickly conditions can change, this episode becomes a steady, grounding pause — not a push to do more. This is a calm, supportive reality check for tired gardeners who care deeply but don’t always have the energy for perfect systems or constant momentum. You don’t need to take notes. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 160: What to Plant in January: Back to Basics — The Most Reliable Plants for This Month, Wherever You Live | 17 janv. 2026 | 00:25:05 | |
January gardening can feel deceptively simple… and strangely exhausting. Whether you’re dealing with peak summer heat in the Southern Hemisphere or deep winter planning in the Northern Hemisphere, this episode is a calm, practical reset for tired gardeners who want clarity without pressure. In this episode, Esther walks you through seven reliable plants you can plant in January, no matter where you live — plus how to choose what actually fits your energy, space, and season right now. This isn’t about doing everything. If your energy is low, the weather feels extreme, or your motivation is a bit wobbly — this episode is your permission slip to simplify, stabilise, and keep going. 🎧 Perfect for gardeners who want progress without pressure. And until next time, remember: 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 159: The 3-List Garden Permission Slip. What you’re allowed to quit, ignore, and do badly | 10 janv. 2026 | 00:20:19 | |
Gardening doesn’t always need motivation — sometimes it needs permission. In this quieter episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, Esther shares a gentle reset for overwhelmed, tired gardeners: three things you’re allowed to quit, three things you’re allowed to ignore, and three things you’re allowed to do badly — without guilt. Recorded during a heatwave and a low-energy day, this episode is a reminder that you don’t need to earn your place in the garden. Showing up imperfectly still counts. If your garden has started to feel like one more thing, this one’s for you. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝 Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 158: When the Weather Cries Wolf | 03 janv. 2026 | 00:17:09 | |
The forecast has been acting like that dramatic friend who’s “being such a diva” every second day… and if you’ve ever rearranged your whole garden plan for “rain at 3pm” that never arrived, this episode is for you. In this mini masterclass, Esther breaks down a simple, realistic system for gardening when the weather is unreliable — without becoming a full-time meteorologist, and without your garden turning into chaos. We cover the real reason weather chaos feels exhausting (decision fatigue), how to build a garden that’s less reactive to extremes, and the “Weather Trust Test” you can use to stop getting emotionally played by the forecast. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, or send me your questions for future Q&A sessions. And if you are looking for one-on-one support to grow your garden confidence (or even shape a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open. Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 🌿 🐝 Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 157: The 3-Goal Garden Rule (Because You’re Not a Garden Employee) | 27 déc. 2025 | 00:15:23 | |
It’s Twixmas… that weird in-between week where time doesn’t exist, your diet is 80% snacks, and your garden has decided to grow 9cm overnight just to humble you. In today’s episode, I’m sharing what we’ve been up to on our little modern-homesteading adventure — harvesting elephant garlic, drying it in our very glamorous garage drying room, and turning not-quite-perfect dahlias into something surprisingly magical: air-dried petal confetti. But the real reason you need this episode? Because if you went into the holidays with big garden plans and came out the other side thinking, “I’ll do it tomorrow…” (and now it’s basically New Year)… SAME. So I’m giving you my realistic, no-guilt, real-life goal setting method: The 3-Goal Garden Rule for 2026 🌿 Plus, I share my 10-minute Garden Reset you can do anytime you’re feeling behind: ✨ Don’t forget — you’ll find my free gardening guides linked below in the show notes. 🎧 Press play, grab your notebook, and get ready to uncover the riches hiding in your garden! 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. 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 156: Outsource to Nature — Plants That Do the Work While You’re at Work | 20 déc. 2025 | 00:23:23 | |
If your garden currently survives on “thoughts and prayers” because you’re flat out with work, life, Christmas chaos, kiwifruit, H&S… and maybe even relocating a 8m plastic house because it’s basically a solar oven… this one’s for you. 😅 In this episode, we’re talking about how to design a garden for real life — not a gardening show. In this mini masterclass, you’ll learn: ✅ What “self-maintaining” actually means (not zero work… just less work)
✨ Don’t forget — you’ll find my free gardening guides linked below in the show notes. 🎧 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 Gourmet 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 155: "Batch Gardening — Do the Work Once, Coast All Week” | 13 déc. 2025 | 00:25:05 | |
Batch Gardening — Do the Work Once, Coast All Week - How to garden like meal prep — one big push, lots of lazy wins. If you only have one decent chunk of time each week (or fortnight) to garden, this episode is your permission slip to stop feeling guilty and start gardening smarter. Esther breaks down “batch gardening” — a meal-prep style approach where you do the heavy lifting in one focused session, then let your garden quietly coast until you’re back. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: · Use the 3 batch categories — soil, plants, and water — to make the biggest impact with limited time · Deep-water and mulch in one go so your garden stays alive between visits (no more panic sprinkling) · Set up pre-filled pots, trays and soil “staging areas” so impulse seedlings are plug-and-play, not a faff · Plant one “staples bed” of reliable crops instead of 47 tiny, overwhelming experiments · Leave “Future You little gifts” like labelled trays, pre-mixed liquid feed, and ready-to-go stakes and ties · Let go of the guilt and still confidently call yourself a gardener — even if you only show up once a week Your garden doesn’t need you every day. It just needs you to show up on purpose when you can. ✨ Don’t forget — you’ll find my free gardening guides linked below in the show notes. 🎧 Press play, grab your notebook, and get ready to uncover the riches hiding in your garden! 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. 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 - 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
The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 154: The Bare-Minimum Watering Plan — Keeping Plants Alive When You’re Running on Fumes | 06 déc. 2025 | 00:24:06 | |
The Bare-Minimum Watering Plan — Keeping Plants Alive When You’re Running on Fumes” A realistic survival guide for tired, overcommitted gardeners. You meant to water… and then work, kids, pets, emails, and life happened. By the time you remembered, it was dark and the guilt had already kicked in. If that sounds painfully familiar, this episode is for you. In this mini masterclass, I walk you through a realistic, no-perfection-required watering plan for tired, overcommitted gardeners who still want their plants to have a fighting chance. We’ll cover: · The Watering Priority Ladder – what to water first when you’ve only got 10–15 minutes. · The 10-minute “Lifeline Watering Round” for scorchy, panic-inducing days. · Lazy watering hacks like ollas, mulch, grouped pots, and simple timers that quietly do some of the work for you. · A gentle mindset reset so you can finally believe: Your garden doesn’t need a perfect version of you — just the real, tired you, showing up in small, doable ways. 💚 If this episode helps, take a pic of your lifeline watering round and tag @TheMessedUpGardener so I can cheer you on. ✨ Don’t forget — you’ll find my free gardening guides linked below in the show notes. 🎧 Press play, grab your notebook, and get ready to uncover the riches hiding in your garden! 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. 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 153: “The ‘Someday Garden’ Trap — How to Start with the Garden You Actually Have” | 29 nov. 2025 | 00:23:49 | |
Stop waiting for perfect conditions and grow something now. “We’ll really garden when we move.” If that sounds like you, this episode is your loving smack on the hand with a trowel. 💚 We’re talking about the gap between the perfect garden in your head and the scruffy reality out the back — and how to start now with just one messy square metre. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: · Spot the “Someday Garden” trap that keeps you stuck in planning. · Find and claim your 1m² “Now Patch” in the space you already have. · Fill it with forgiving plants that don’t need perfect conditions (herbs, leafy greens, “chuck it in and see” crops). · Set up simple micro-systems (mulch, mini compost habit, quick watering routine) so it actually survives. · Shift your identity from “someday I’ll garden” to “I garden now”, even in the middle of chaos. If this episode nudges you into action, hit follow/subscribe, leave a quick rating or review, and tag me on socials with #TheMessedUpGardener and a pic of your Now Patch. Mud, kids, dogs, and gumboots all welcome. 🌱🐝 ✨ Don’t forget — you’ll find my free gardening guides linked below in the show notes. 🎧 Press play, grab your notebook, and get ready to uncover the riches hiding in your garden! 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. 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 152: Lazy Mulching — How to Protect Your Soil Even When You’re Too Busy to Garden | 22 nov. 2025 | 00:17:32 | |
Feeling like your garden is either drowning or turning into crunchy toast — sometimes in the same week? 😅 In this episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, I’m talking lazy mulching: the simple, real-world way to protect your soil, keep plants alive, and save your future sanity… even when you’re absolutely shattered. Between overflowing water tanks, heat waves, a shed-that’s-pretending-to-be-an-office, 2kg strawberry harvests and butter beans for days, our place is busy, messy, and very real. That’s exactly why mulching has become my 24/7 garden helper — it keeps things going when I can’t. In this mini masterclass, we dive into: · 🌱 Why mulch is a busy gardener’s secret weapon · 🪵 The Lazy Mulch Trio · ⏱ The 10-Minute Lazy Mulch Routine · 🚫 Common mulch mistakes If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have time to do this properly, so I’ll do nothing,” this episode is your permission slip to do it good enough and still make a massive difference to your soil. 👉 Grab a cuppa, keep weeding, or stare at that one feral bed while you listen — and let lazy mulching have your back. Tag me @TheMessedUpGardener with a pic of your freshly mulched “one little bed” so I can cheer you on. 💚 ✨ 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. 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 151: The 3-Bucket System — Never Waste a Weed, Leaf, or Kitchen Scrap Again | 15 nov. 2025 | 00:18:51 | |
Ever stared at a pile of weeds or kitchen scraps and thought, “Now what?” 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 ✨ Don’t forget — you’ll find my free gardening guides linked below in the show notes. 🎧 Press play, grab your notebook, and get ready to uncover the riches hiding in your garden! 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. 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 150: “The Odd Rule — Why Uneven Planting Looks So Darn Good” | 08 nov. 2025 | 00:18:23 | |
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. 🌿 ✨ Don’t forget — you’ll find my free gardening guides linked below in the show notes. 🎧 Press play, grab your notebook, and get ready to uncover the riches hiding in your garden! 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. 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 - 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
The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 149: “Beehind Closed Doors: What Really Happens When You Grow Under Cover” | 01 nov. 2025 | 00:23:48 | |
Hello and welcome to another episode of The Messed-Up Gardener! Today, we’re pulling back the netting (literally) to talk about the sneaky pollination problems that happen in greenhouses, tunnel houses, and bird-netted spaces — and the easy fixes that bring the buzz (and the fruit set) back. We’ll celebrate a little milestone too: this week marks three years since the show launched in November 2022. If you’ve been here since the messy early days — thank you! 💚 🌸 What You’ll Learn • Why flowers don’t always equal fruit under cover (humidity, temperature, and blocked pollinators). ✨ Don’t forget — you’ll find my free gardening guides linked below in the show notes. 🎧 Press play, grab your notebook, and get ready to uncover the riches hiding in your garden! 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. 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 - 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 SEO keywords: chaos gardening, cottage garden, biodiversity, pollinators, soil health, low-maintenance garden, New Zealand gardening podcast, beginner gardening, sustainable gardening, wildlife-friendly garden, seed mix, urban homestead, mindful gardening The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 148: “Chaos Gardening: Why Letting Go Might Grow More Than You Think.” | 25 oct. 2025 | 00:23:18 | |
Hi & Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up Gardener Spring is in full swing here at The Messed-Up Gardener HQ—sunflowers about to pop, kiwifruit vines gearing up to flower, bees on overtime, and the greenhouse going bonkers. All that colourful, buzzy beautiful mess got me thinking about the trend taking root across NZ: Chaos Gardening. In this episode, I share what it is, why the wild works, and how to try it (without losing your mind). In this episode you’ll learn
✨ 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 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. 🌻 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 - 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 SEO keywords: chaos gardening, cottage garden, biodiversity, pollinators, soil health, low-maintenance garden, New Zealand gardening podcast, beginner gardening, sustainable gardening, wildlife-friendly garden, seed mix, urban homestead, mindful gardening The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 147: “Barrel Dreams: The Pros and Cons of Growing Nursery Trees in Big Pots While You Wait for Your Land” | 18 oct. 2025 | 00:20:46 | |
Ever wandered through a nursery, spotted the perfect tree, and thought, “One day… when I have my own land”? You’ll discover the real pros and cons of on-growing trees in large barrels — from saving money and shaping your plants early to the heavy lifting, watering marathons, and chaos that come with it. Most of all, you’ll hear how growing in barrels can keep your gardening dreams alive while you’re saving for your forever home. Because you don’t need perfect soil to start — just the courage to begin. ✨ 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 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. 🌻 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 - 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 The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||
| Ep 146 Hot House Secrets — How to Grow Smarter in Pots & Soil | 11 oct. 2025 | 00:37:52 | |
It’s been one of those weeks washing almost dry… and then it rains. Hubby’s flat-out with the bees, and I’ve been fighting off a chest/sinus bug (would not recommend). The silver lining? My happy place under plastic. Even on the rough days, a quiet potter in the greenhouse resets everything — which is exactly why today’s episode is all about unlocking the secrets of growing under cover. Step inside with me: warm, earthy air, tomato-leaf scent, fat drops of condensation, and two kinds of growers — the pot people and the plot people. Why does one side look like a produce commercial and the other like it needs a pep talk? Let’s crack it open together. In this episode, I’m sharing: · 🌡️ The greenhouse microclimate, decoded · 🪴 Pots as little planets · 🌱 Soil beds as powerhouses · 💧 Watering without the swamp · 🌼 Pairing & rotation that actually works · 🌞 Seasonal secrets I also cover a number of Quick wins you can try today So grab a cuppa and come stand with me under the warm glow — we’ll turn your greenhouse into a calm, productive rhythm that keeps giving all year. Got a Hot House Secret of your own? Tag me @themessedupgardener — I’d love to celebrate your wins and share your greenhouse pride and joy. And if you’ve got a harvest story of your own — tag me at The Messed-Up Gardener! I’d love to celebrate your wins right alongside you. 🎧 Press play, grab your notebook, and get ready to uncover the riches hiding in your garden! 🌻 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 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 - 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
The Messed-Up Gardener is brought to you by Mushrooms by the Sea. Want to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home? Visit Mushrooms by the Sea and use code SHROOM10 at checkout to receive 10% off your first full-priced order. Discount applies to full-priced products only and does not apply to already discounted products or bundles. | |||