Explore every episode of the podcast The Sentimental Gardener
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deb Collett on dahlias, the sport of flower competitions and designing a garden with memories | 15 Aug 2025 | 01:03:46 | |
Deb Collette is a dahlia grower, exhibitor, floral art judge, and dahlia show judge based in Victoria. She grew up in rural New Zealand, where she gained early experience in gardening and exhibiting flowers. An active member of the Dahlia Society of Victoria and regular contributor to its magazine, Deb focuses on breeding new dahlia varieties, maintaining heritage lines, and supporting competitive exhibiting. She has won multiple championships and mentors new growers.
Follow Deb on Instagram @debsdahlias Follow Cass on Instagram - @the_sentimental_gardener. Links to social pages and more are available at bio.site/thesentimentalgardener. Read show notes about the guests and access the full transcript by visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts
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| Jocelyn Bennett on Australian native garden design, paying attention and dreaming of French gardens | 24 Jul 2025 | 00:51:21 | |
In this episode, host Cass Dowding talks with landscape designer Jocelyn Bennett from Earthcore Landscapes about designing award-winning Australian native gardens, why she lasted only six weeks in engineering, and how her "Re-Set" garden proved that texture-first design can make even Australian native plant sceptics fall in love. Though Jocelyn grew up collecting flower cuttings with her mum and playing the tulip tree spotting game with her arborist father, she never expected to become a landscape designer. Her winding path from horticulture diplomas to winning first place at Melbourne International Flower Show shows what happens when you trust what your body tells you it needs … even when that means needing green spaces to feel grounded. If you've ever felt called to follow an unconventional path, believe that Australian natives can be both beautiful and calming, or want to understand how childhood experiences shape the spaces we create, this conversation is for you. Follow Jocelyn Bennett and Earthcore Landscapes on Instagram @earthcorelandscapes Follow Cass on Instagram - @the_sentimental_gardener. Links to social pages and more are available at bio.site/thesentimentalgardener. Read show notes about the guests and access the full transcript by visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts Music written and performed by Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening. Podcast produced and edited by Cass and Tom Dowding See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information. | |||
| Linda Pottage on making beautiful pictures, building a new 'old' house and intuitive design | 03 Jul 2025 | 00:36:08 | |
In this episode, host Cass Dowding talks with photographer and creator Linda Pottage about building an "old house" that looks like it's always been there, and creating gardens as extensions of interior design, inspired by a childhood of reading fairy and woodland tales. Though Linda grew up in 1950s suburban Bentley surrounded by neat rows of orange marigolds, her soul longed for something "more flowing and messy and organic." A pivotal trip to England at age 11 made her feel she'd found where she belonged, thinking, "this environment is right. This is where I belong." If you've ever felt called to create beautiful spaces, trusted your instincts over conventional wisdom, or believe that home is something you build rather than find, this conversation will inspire you. Follow Linda Pottage and find out more about hiring The Potterage on Instagram and Facebook Follow Cass on Instagram, Facebook, or Threads — @the_sentimental_gardener. Links to social pages and more are available at bio.site/thesentimentalgardener. Read show notes about the guests and access the full transcript by clicking here or visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts Music written and performed by Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening. Podcast produced and edited by Cass and Tom Dowding See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information.
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| Emma Cutting on street gardening, the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor and a bag of Maltesers | 23 Jun 2025 | 01:18:32 | |
In this inspiring episode of The Sentimental Gardener, host Cass Dowding speaks with Emma Cutting, founder and CEO of Heartscapes. This Melbourne organisation connects, strengthens, and deepens urban communities of humans, flora, fauna, and fungi through regeneration and conservation. Emma shares her story of overcoming chronic fatigue syndrome and developing Australia's (possibly the world's) first urban wildlife corridor, the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor. Cass and Emma discuss Emma's early memories of gardening on her family's farm, her journey through chronic fatigue syndrome, and how street gardening became a transformative force in her life. They also delve into the challenges and successes of managing public realm gardens, the importance of community involvement, and Emma's vision for connecting urban spaces through nature. This episode highlights the power of small acts of care, the resilience of both people and plants, and the potential for urban spaces to foster human and ecological connections. You can donate to Heartscapes at https://theheartgardeningproject.org.au/donate and follow them on Instagram @theheartgardeningproject. Follow Cass on Instagram, Facebook, or Threads — @the_sentimental_gardener. Read show notes about the guests and access the full transcript by visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts Music written and performed by Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening Podcast produced and edited by Cass and Tom Dowding See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information. | |||
| Sandra Schwarz on the study of green spaces, her book titled Restore and silver birches | 13 Jun 2025 | 01:28:38 | |
In this episode, host Cass Dowding talks with landscape architect and author Sandra Schwarz about her journey from teaching teenagers to researching how green spaces heal us. Though Sandra grew up in German apartments with railway allotment gardens, her relationship with plants began quietly until a career-changing moment in her classroom. Watching her students' eyes light up when she suggested rooftop gardens, then hearing a designer talk about turning concrete channels back into rivers, Sandra knew she had to change careers. In this conversation, Cass and Sandra talk about:
If you've ever felt that shoulder-dropping moment in a green space, wondered why gardens make you feel better, or believe we need more nature in our concrete world, this comprehensive conversation will fascinate you. You can find Sandra's book Restore at humanaturescapes.net and follow her on Instagram @human_nature_scapes. Follow Cass on Instagram, Facebook, or Threads — @the_sentimental_gardener. Links to social pages and more are available at bio.site/thesentimentalgardener. Read show notes about the guests and access the full transcript by clicking here or visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts Music written and performed by Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information. | |||
| Rhiannon Dowding on her father the chemist, painting gum leaves and not being much of a gardener | 25 May 2025 | 00:33:29 | |
In this episode, host Cass Dowding talks with writer and artist Rhiannon Dowding (also her mother-in-law) about a lifetime of garden stories from Wales to Victoria. Though Rhiannon says she's "not much of a gardener," her life has been shaped by the plant lovers around her, from grandparents with berry patches to her chemistry professor father who filled their first Australian garden with native trees. In this conversation, Cass and Rhiannon talk about:
If you've ever been influenced by someone else's love of plants, felt moved by a particular smell, or believe that the most important gardens live in our memories, you'll love this conversation. Follow Cass on Instagram, Facebook, or Threads — @the_sentimental_gardener. Links to social pages and more are available at bio.site/thesentimentalgardener. Read show notes about the guests and access the full transcript by clicking here or visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts Music written and performed by Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information. | |||
| Hayden Schueler on being a "closeted gardener", Japanese topiary and caring for other people's gardens | 08 May 2025 | 00:42:26 | |
In this premiere episode, Cass Dowding speaks with Hayden Schueler, who went from studying music composition at the Victorian College of Arts to running Vereya Gardening in the Dandenong Ranges. His story comes full circle, now living just over the fence from his childhood home, on land where he once played as a boy collecting chestnuts and climbing trees. In this conversation, Cass and Hayden discuss:
If you've ever found meaning in a particular plant, felt connected to a childhood garden, or simply believe that gardens are more than just collections of plants, this conversation is a perfect place to start. Follow Hayden on Instagram @vereyagardening Read show notes about the guests and access the full transcript by clicking here or visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts Follow Cass on Instagram, Facebook, or Threads — @the_sentimental_gardener. Links to social pages and more are available at bio.site/thesentimentalgardener.Music written and performed by Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information. | |||
| The Sentimental Gardener (Trailer) | 31 Mar 2025 | 00:03:13 | |
Join Cass Dowding, an enthusiastic everyday gardener, as she has conversations with fellow plant lovers about the gardens and plants that shape our stories and connect us to what matters most. The show launches end of April 2025. Click subscribe now so you never miss an episode! | |||