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The Messed Up Gardener

Esther Aitken
The Messed Up Gardener
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  • Ep 147: “Barrel Dreams: The Pros and Cons of Growing Nursery Trees in Big Pots While You Wait for Your Land”
    Ever wandered through a nursery, spotted the perfect tree, and thought, “One day… when I have my own land”? In this heartfelt episode, I share how hubby and I are building our future orchard right now — one barrel at a time. With over 100 tubs of citrus, raspberries, blueberries, feijoas, lilies, and dahlias thriving in pots, we’ve turned our rental into a “Barrel Army” and learned a ton along the way.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 PagesThe Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms Or Grab ·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering plantershttps://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-plantersDon’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.   Freebies: Grab the -         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden -         https://stan.store/EstherA -         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA-         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now-         Mini Masterclass Audio Lawncare basics which has included the Lawn care Mini Masterclass Audio & a Lawn Love Mini Masterclass Companion Guide. https://stan.store/EstherAGardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.
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  • Ep 146 Hot House Secrets — How to Grow Smarter in Pots & Soil
    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 todaySo 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 PagesThe Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms Or Grab ·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering plantershttps://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-plantersDon’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.   Freebies: Grab the -         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden -         https://stan.store/EstherA -         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA-         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now-         Mini Masterclass Audio Lawncare basics which has included the Lawn care Mini Masterclass Audio & a Lawn Love Mini Masterclass Companion Guide. https://stan.store/EstherA Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.
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  • Ep 145: The Harvest Hustle - 6 Things to Pick Now Before They Go to Waste (Save your crops and your sanity with timely harvesting)
    Spring is in full swing here at Shesther’s, and while the frosts are just behind us (fingers crossed past Labour Day!), the gardens and orchard are pumping out produce faster than we can keep up. Hubby’s been on frost duty with the incinerators, the kiwifruit are looking promising, and thanks to all that late-night effort, the veggie and flower beds are thriving too.But here’s the catch — harvest timing is everything. One day you’ve got tender lettuce, the next it’s bolted. A zucchini hides under a leaf and suddenly it’s the size of a cricket bat. Or your basil decides it’s done and shoots straight to flower. Miss the moment, and the guilt of wasted veggies is real.In this episode, I’m sharing:🌿 Why harvest timing matters more than you think 🥬 Six crops you need to pick right now before they go to waste 🌟 The “hidden harvests” most gardeners forget about 🛠️ Quick storage tricks (freeze, dry, gift, and get creative!) 🧺 My favorite harvest hacks to make picking easier and more enjoyableWhether it’s herbs, lettuce, beans, courgettes, tomatoes, flowers, or those sneaky spring onions and radishes, harvesting at the right time keeps your garden producing and your kitchen full. And the best part? A few simple habits will save your crops, your sanity, and maybe even win you a smile when you gift a bag of produce to a neighbor.So grab your basket, join me in the garden, and let’s hustle our way through the harvest before anything goes to waste!✨ 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.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! Follow our Journey on our Facebook PagesThe Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms Or Grab ·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering plantershttps://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-plantersDon’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.   Freebies: Grab the -         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden -         https://stan.store/EstherA -         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA-         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now-         Mini Masterclass Audio Lawncare basics which has included the Lawn care Mini Masterclass Audio & a Lawn Love Mini Masterclass Companion Guide. https://stan.store/EstherAGardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.
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  • Ep 144: The Garden Mood Boost: 4 Simple Changes to Lift Your Space (and Your Spirits)
    This week in the garden has been full of surprises — tomato flowers already popping, zucchinis producing their first harvest despite frosty mornings, and hubby’s sunflowers growing like they’re on steroids. We’ve even adopted a scruffy little black kitten who’s decided my husband is “his person” (much to his delight and my eye-rolling amusement).Between all that chaos and progress, I’ve been reminded of something important: our surroundings deeply affect how we feel. A thriving zucchini, a cheerful splash of colour, even a kitten curled up in the corner — they all shape the atmosphere we live in. And gardens, more than anything else, are powerful mood shifters.In this episode, I’ll share: 🌸 Why atmosphere matters just as much as productivity in the garden. 🌱 How even a peace lily in the corner can change your mood. ✨ The Gardener’s Motivation Loop — how good vibes in your space keep you coming back. 🌈 Four quick mood-boosting changes you can make this week:Plus, I’ll give you easy, affordable hacks for bringing these ideas to life — using what you’ve already got on hand.📸 And don’t forget to celebrate your glow-up! Take a before-and-after photo of your garden tweaks and share them with me. Your little wins might just inspire the whole Messed-Up Gardener community.🎧 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 PagesThe Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms Or Grab ·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering plantershttps://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-plantersDon’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.   Freebies: Grab the -         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden -         https://stan.store/EstherA -         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA-         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now-         Mini Masterclass Audio Lawncare basics which has included the Lawn care Mini Masterclass Audio & a Lawn Love Mini Masterclass Companion Guide. https://stan.store/EstherAGardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.
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  • Ep 143: The Weekend Wonderlist – 6 Mini Garden Projects That Look Huge
    What a week it’s been! Between wild spring winds rattling our roof, chasing runaway bins down the orchard driveway, and watching trees topple across town, it’s been chaos out there. But amidst the gusts and garden madness, there’s also been joy—sunflowers planted, dahlias popping, capsicums cranking in the greenhouse, and the chickens back in full laying mode.This week’s episode is all about weekend wins—the little jobs that make your garden look like you’ve spent days working, when really it only took a couple of hours. Because let’s be honest, most of us don’t have endless time, money, or energy for massive projects. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get that satisfying “wow, I did something!” feeling.Inside this episode, I’ll walk you through my Weekend Wonderlist—6 quick projects that pack a big punch.You’ll also hear why visible progress matters so much in gardening psychology, how to choose the right project for your weekend rhythm, and how stacking these little wins can transform your space in just a month.So grab your spade, your cuppa, and maybe a friend or two—it’s time to make your garden look huge without burning yourself out.🎧 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 PagesThe Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms Or Grab ·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering plantershttps://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-plantersDon’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.   Freebies: Grab the -         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden -         https://stan.store/EstherA -         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA-         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now-         Mini Masterclass Audio Lawncare basics which has included the Lawn care Mini Masterclass Audio & a Lawn Love Mini Masterclass Companion Guide. https://stan.store/EstherAhttps://www.kingsseeds.co.nz/products/mesclun-original-blend Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.
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About The Messed Up Gardener

Hello and Welcome to The Messed Up Gardener. This podcast covers all areas of gardening from a beginner, intermediate to advanced level. It covers gardening on any budget, any space, any place. There are no rules when it comes to me, and my gardens and I do it messy. There is nothing more fun than getting your hands dirty and creating that space that gives you joy and abundance. This podcast will give tips, tricks, hacks and methodology’s to make any space work from the tiny indoor garden to the rolling meadows with even a dash of bees and hydroponics thrown in. I have been a horticulturist for as long as I can remember and in the industry since I was 15 so that’s nearly 30 years of hands on gardening experience. I am really looking forward to being on this journey & doing it messy with you.
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