A Practical Approach

I’ve worked across several sides of the gardening world — landscape construction, hands-on plant care, and practical horticulture. That combination matters more than it might sound. Understanding both how gardens are built and how they behave over time means problems get diagnosed properly, not just treated at the surface.
I’m not a large landscaping company and I’m not trying to sell you major projects.

Think of me as a general-practising horticulturist — someone homeowners can call when they want an experienced, honest perspective on their garden. Sometimes that leads to me doing the work. Sometimes it simply gives you the confidence to carry on yourself. Either outcome is a good one.

For larger projects I bring in trusted local contractors who work to the same standard I hold myself to — so the job gets done properly regardless of scale.

This approach underpins the Garden Assessment service.

Many gardens struggle not because the owner lacks effort — but because the original decisions or conditions weren’t quite right.

Background

At the age of 21, after a few jobs of sorts, I took up employment with a small landscaping business on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. I absolutely loved the science of it and the physicality. 

While I did not do my Landscape trade certificate, over the five years I gained lifelong skills in paving, garden construction, soft-scaping and maintenance.

After stepping away from landscaping and enticed by the emerging world of technology, I took up a position with a family business and later created my own small business working in digital audio and telecommunications.

In the long run, full-time indoor work was not for me and the gentle winds and dappled sunshine called me back to the garden, once again!

While I remain amazed by technology – now more so with the ability to monitor a plants sap flow and to listen to the soundtrack of the inner workings of plant tissues – it is the practical application of hands-on-horticulture skills in everyday residential gardens and providing specialist advice that keeps me ticking!

I have been fortunate to work alongside side the best in Horticulture and Landscaping in Bowral and the Southern Highlands of NSW caring for exquisite estates and designer gardens.

Working at Mt Eymard Retirement Village and later as Head Gardener at Retford Park — in partnership with the National Trust of Australia — gave me the privilege of watching some of the Southern Highlands’ finest gardens through every season.

Now, again in my own private practice, I enjoy looking after the everyday gardens for everyday people and provide specialist advice that helps with the clarity and confidence to take the next steps in the garden.

At this stage of my career in Horticulture it is the Therapeutic benefits and wellbeing through gardening that I am looking forward to exploring further professionally.

I’m a member of the Australian Institute of Horticulture , Therapeutic Horticulture Australia, and Sustainable Gardening Australia — and I keep a close eye on the emerging field of Lifestyle Medicine, which explores the profound connection between green spaces and human wellbeing.