The Messed Up Gardener

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

  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. Whether you’re after a step-by-step plan, a cheat sheet for growing chemical-free, or even my mini lawn care masterclass, they’re waiting to make gardening easier, lighter, and a whole lot more fun.🎧 Press play, grab your notebook, and get ready to uncover the riches hiding in your garden! If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so you never miss a new garden chat.And if you have a gardening question or topic you’d love me to cover, send me a message — I’d love to hear from you.🌻 Until next time: remember that gardening can happen in any space, any place, and on any budget. Have an incredibly abundant week — and I’ll buzz you later. 🐝Follow our Journey on our Facebook 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 149: “Beehind Closed Doors: What Really Happens When You Grow Under Cover”

  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). • Which crops self-pollinate vs. which are the “divas” that need bees or wind — and how to help both. • 7 practical fixes: hand pollination, the electric-toothbrush trick, airflow, timing your netting, companion flowers, and more. • How to balance protection with pollination so your covers work with nature, not against it. • Esther’s real-world lesson from netting citrus (Fort Knox trees = zero mandarins!).✨ Don’t forget — you’ll find my free gardening guides linked below in the show notes. Whether you’re after a step-by-step plan, a cheat sheet for growing chemical-free, or even my mini lawn care masterclass, they’re waiting to make gardening easier, lighter, and a whole lot more fun.🎧 Press play, grab your notebook, and get ready to uncover the riches hiding in your garden! If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so you never miss a new garden chat.And if you have a gardening question or topic you’d love me to cover, send me a message — I’d love to hear from you.🌻 Until next time: remember that gardening can happen in any space, any place, and on any budget. Have an incredibly abundant week — and I’ll buzz you later. 🐝Follow our Journey on our Facebook 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/EstherASEO 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 gardeningGardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.

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• Ep 148: “Chaos Gardening: Why Letting Go Might Grow More Than You Think.”

  Hi & Welcome to another episode of The Messed Up GardenerSpring 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 learnWhat chaos gardening is and why it’s more “smart ecosystem” than “lazy gardening.”5 science-backed benefits: biodiversity balance, pollinator magnets, healthier soil, resilience, and a calmer gardener.The Messed-Up Truth: why chaos still needs observation, light editing, and imperfect patience.How to start your own chaos patch with a simple seed-mix recipe, step-by-step setup, and easy harvesting rhythm.Mindset magic: how letting go in the garden can grow more than you think.✨ 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/EstherASEO 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 gardeningGardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.

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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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