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The Sentimental Gardener

Cass Dowding

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.

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  • 22 episodes
  • Avg 1 hr 2 min
  • English

Episodes 22

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  • S2 · E7
    Tuesday · 1 hr 3 min

    Jay Young from Flinders Farm Gate on regenerative farming, garlic and a paddock full of sunflowers

    In this episode of The Sentimental Gardener, Cass chats with Jay Young, co-founder of Flinders Farmgate, a small-scale regenerative farm on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. Alongside her husband Nick, Jay grows garlic, sunflowers, dahlias and seasonal flowers, while finding ways to share their special patch of land with the local community. We talk about how a friend's suggestion to grow garlic set their farming journey in motion, how losing an entire garlic crop led them to diversify into flowers, and how a sunflower picking event grew into something much bigger than they expected. Jay also shares what she's learnt about regenerative farming, building healthy soil, working with nature rather than constantly intervening, and the realities of balancing a growing farm business with family life. And, of course, we talk about her sentimental plants: the climbing beans that take Jay back to her grandparent's garden, the winter-scented flowers that remind her of an early job at a flower shop, and the sunflowers that continue to bring her joy. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction: Meet Jay Young of Flinders Farmgate 01:56 Childhood memories of a farm in South Africa 07:25 From city life to a life in Flinders 15:51 How growing garlic started it all 19:03 Losing a crop and finding a new direction 21:16 Sunflowers, dahlias and the farm shop 28:43 Farming, family and finding balance 33:03 What regenerative farming looks like in practice 42:08 Three sentimental plants: beans, winter flowers and sunflowers 51:06 Quick-fire questions from the farm 58:11 Cass's reflection: Listening to what draws us in Want to hear more? Jay and I also recorded a bonus conversation for The Sentimental Gardener Substack paid subscribers, where we spend another 20 minutes talking about the business side of running a flower and garlic farm. Find the bonus episode and subscribe via The Sentimental Gardener on Substack or Apple Podcasts Follow Flinders Farmgate at their website, Instagram or Facebook Follow Cass at The Sentimental Gardener Instagram or add your name to the list at Substack to get my emails in your inbox. CREDITS: Music written and played by Hayden Schuler of Vereya Gardening Produced, edited and mixed by Cass Dowding

  • S2 · E8
    September 16 · 30 min· Video

    Deb Collett on Australia Post's new dahlia stamp collection plus dahlia trials program at Cruden Farm

    Deb Collett was a previous guest way back in Season One, and since then we've become great friends. So it was particularly lovely to sit down and catch up with her on this episode of Sentimental Friends - the subscriber only series where we cover news, updates and more from people in gardening world. This episode is available for FREE FOR EVERYONE as a thank you for your patience while I paused releasing episodes for a few months! Earlier this year, Deb was involved in Australia Post's dahlia cultivar collection, released back in May 2026 — a particularly perfect partnership given that, alongside collecting dahlias, Deb is also a passionate philatelist (stamp collector). We chat about: 🌸 Which dahlias made their stamp debut 🌸 The story behind the breeders of the three different varieties 🌸 The dahlia trails at Cruden Farm 🌸 The National Dahlia Conference 🌸 What's been happening in Deb's own garden 🌸 And, importantly, I ask Deb how on earth I'm supposed to manage the old and new growth on my tree dahlia! You can also catch Deb's original Sentimental Gardener episode here. Follow Deb on Instagram @debsdahlias Follow The Sentimental Gardener on Instagram @the_sentimental_gardener Subscribe to the mailing list here: https://thesentimentalgardener.substack.com/subscribe

  • S2 · E5
    July 27 · 1 hr

    Timothy Mitchell on tomatoes, transforming tennis courts and designing en plein air

    Australian landscape architect and garden designer Timothy Mitchell joins Cass Dowding on The Sentimental Gardener podcast to talk about his early memories of plants, transforming tennis courts into a meadow of flowers and designing gardens en plein air. They also dive into finding beauty in Australian native plants, building a dry climate garden that actually works, letting a garden evolve naturally over seasons, and why the most alive gardens are always being edited, observed and mulled over. They recorded this episode in Tim and his partner Lucy's backyard, surrounded by the antiquing of plants moving from summer to autumn and a view of Mt. William/ Wil-im-ee Moor-ring as the backdrop. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:35 Early memories of gardens and plants 05:00 Choosing a life in landscape design 09:00 Gardeners and landscape architects 13:45 Designing public places 16:00 Transforming a tennis court into a garden 18:30 Starting a garden from scratch 19:00 Finding beauty in Australian plants 22:40 Building a dry climate garden 27:45 Letting a garden grow naturally 32:00 Trees, time and looking after nature 38:30 What makes a garden feel alive 45:30 Learning by watching plants 49:45 Quick-fire garden questions 56:45 The gardens that stay with us 59:35 Final thoughts and outro Show notes: Follow Timothy Mitchell on Instagram or visit website Follow The Sentimental Gardener on Instagram and Facebook Visit The Sentimental Gardener website Get Sentimental Gardener emails in your inbox Get bonus content + episodes on Sentimental Friends Original music: Hayden Schueler of Vereya Gardening Audio mix: Tom Dowding Producer and editor: Cass Dowding

  • S2 · E4
    June 12 · 51 min

    Ben Clark on growing Kuranga Native Nursery, and building a family life around plants

    Are you an Australian native plant fanatic? Well you're going to love this episode! Cass Dowding chats with Ben Clark, co-owner of Kuranga Native Nursery, about growing up surrounded by the bush in Warrandyte, followed by an early obsession with plants, to building a family business around Australian native plants. Ben shares how he first came to Kuranga as an apprentice, what happens behind the scenes in the nursery he now owns, and why the nursery has become such a loved destination for native plant buffs. They also talk about Kuranga's expansion to a second site at Warrandyte, running the business with his wife Alexa, raising kids around the nursery, and the joy of dispersing native plants into gardens across the state, and maybe Australia! Show notes: Follow Kuranga Native Nursery on Instagram and Facebook Follow The Sentimental Gardener on Instagram and Facebook Get Sentimental Gardener emails Get bonus episodes on Sentimental Friends Theme music: Hayden Schueler of Vereya Gardening Audio mix: Tom Dowding Producer and editor: Cass Dowding

  • S2 · E3
    May 20 · 1 hr 3 min

    Hannah Moloney on her book 'Why We Garden', activism and a good life for everybody

    Hannah Moloney was born for this! 'This' is creating what she calls "a good life for everybody": people, animals, ecosystems and communities alike. From climate-justice cabaret to gardening, activism, writing and community projects, Hannah's work is all about connection, resilience and finding better ways to live together. She's also a presenter on ABC TV's Gardening Australia and the bestselling author of the newly released Why We Garden — Even When We Don't Have To. In this episode, Cass and Hannah talk about early memories, sentimental plant stories, permaculture, activism and what Hannah discovered after interviewing thousands of gardeners about why we still feel drawn to plonk things in the ground and help them grow. Host: Cass Dowding Guest: Hannah Moloney Episode show notes at The Sentimental Gardener Original Music: Hayden Schueler from Vereya Gardening Audio Mixing: Tom Dowding Editing and Producer: Cass Dowding

  • S2 · E2
    May 4 · 1 hr 26 min

    Tim Pilgrim on his book Wild by Design, learning through doing and daisies

    Tim Pilgrim, garden designer and author of Wild by Design, joins Cass Dowding for a conversation about naturalistic gardening, learning through doing, and what it means to work with a place rather than trying to control it. Based in Central Victoria, Tim shares how his approach to garden design has evolved over time — shaped by observation, trial and error, and a deep connection to landscape. From early memories of planting and time spent in significant Australian gardens, to designing spaces that feel full, layered, and alive, this is a conversation about letting gardens find their own rhythm. Together, Cass and Tim explore how naturalistic gardens respond to climate, seasonality, and change — and how shifting away from control can open up something more meaningful, both in gardens and beyond. Tim also shares his three sentimental plants: osteospermum (daisy), paper daisy, and Nepeta 'Walker's Low'. Join other garden and plant lovers getting podcast updates in their inbox — join here Credits: Music: Hayden Schueler from Vereya Gardening Audio support: Tom Dowding Produced and edited by Cass Dowding See https://libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy/ for privacy information

  • S2 · E1
    March 9 · 52 min

    Fiona Crombie on designing gardens for Hamnet, paw paw and her love of roses

    Award-winning production designer Fiona Crombie joins Cass Dowding for a conversation about memory, storytelling and the gardens that stay with us. Best known for her work on films including The Favourite, The King, Cruella, Mickey 17 and Hamnet, Fiona reflects on the gardens of her childhood, from Sydney bushland to her grandmother's garden in Brisbane, and the plants that still carry a deep sense of home. Together, Cass and Fiona explore how gardens helped shape the emotional world of Hamnet — from wild, useful planting to hidden foraging spaces, orchards and one unforgettable tree. It's a gentle conversation about beauty, atmosphere, creativity and the way nature helps us tell stories. Fiona also shares her three sentimental plants: wattle, gardenia and pawpaw. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:55 Earliest Garden Memories 07:33 What a Production Designer Does 10:34 Discovering the Gardens of Hamnet 14:27 Designing Through Collaboration and Discovery 16:24 Finding the Tree 21:44 Creating the Gardens of Hamnet 28:51 Building the Henley Street Garden 30:57 The Knot Garden and the New House 35:03 The Hidden Foraging Garden 35:58 Designing the Globe to Feel Like the Inside of a Tree 40:10 What Stayed With Fiona After Hamnet 42:51 Three Sentimental Plants 45:52 Quick Fire Questions 49:39 Cass' Reflection 51:43 Credits and What's Next Join other garden and plant lovers getting podcast updates in their inbox and Substack writing in regular newsletters — join here To become a financial supporter of the show and help us spread more stories of the joy of a life in gardens — join here Credits: Music: Hayden Schueler from Vereya Gardening Audio support: Tom Dowding Produced and edited by Cass Dowding See https://libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy/ for privacy information

  • February 25 · 1 hr 14 min

    Cass Dowding on starting a podcast, the plants that held grief and what grew after

    The story of The Sentimental Gardener. Cass Dowding swaps roles and takes the guest seat as is asked all the questions she asks her guests. Guided by brilliant host Chloe Foster, author of The Rookie Gardener, host of 3CR Gardening Show and Horticulture educator, Cass opens up about starting a podcast, how gardens contained and plants helped her process her grief and what grew after. From dreams of being a dancer, to finding a career in midwifery and nursing to how motherhood made her face what's really important, Cass' story is a winding journey of a life filled with finding the thing that brings life and joy ... which is now plants! And gardens. And people who garden! 00:00 Introduction 02:16 Childhood Garden Memories 08:29 Career Path: Ballet to Nursing 12:42 Covid, Motherhood and Change 18:44 Grief and Becoming a Sentimental Gardener 22:27 Cancer, Anxiety and the Garden 24:02 Writing and Discovering Garden Stories 27:39 How the Podcast Began 33:51 Finding Confidence and Voice 44:29 What Surprised Me About Gardeners 46:53 Three Sentimental Plants 55:37 What Gardens Teach Us About Life 1:00:29 Why Gardening Brings Belonging Other Sentimental Gardener podcat episodes mentioned in this episode: Fleur Flanery on what the landscape says about us, The Australian Landscape Conference and a million trees Sandra Schwartz on the study of greenspaces Hayden Schueler on being a closeted gardener, Japanese topiary and caring for other people's gardens Chloe Foster on her book The Rookie Gardener, prickly grevilleas and growing gardeners Join other garden and plants lovers getting podcast updates in their inbox and Substack writing in regular newsletters - join here To become a financial supporter of the show and help us spread more stories of the joy of a life in gardens - join here Credits: Music: Hayden Schueler from Vereya Gardening Audio support: Tom Dowding Produced and edited by Cass Dowding See https://libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy/ for privacy information

  • S1 · E14
    Dec 17, 2025 · 1 hr 41 min

    Christmas Special with Annie Winter - on friendship, the first season and floppy Phlomis

    Annie Winter, gardener, and Cass share laughs, tangents, and heartfelt reflections in this Christmas Special recorded in The Winter Garden. Can they cover everything they want to talk about? Most likely not! But along the way, you'll hear: How their friendship began (it started with a "no") Behind the scenes of starting a podcast and dealing with imposter syndrome Gardens where they felt the 'whoosh' this year Reflections on this season's incredible guest stories Listener stories that made them cry One lucky listener winning a $50 voucher from Kuranga Native Nursery Stay until the end for a hilarious outtake! About Annie's garden: Annie's garden opens in January 2026 for Global Gardens of Peace fundraising event. Read more in Garden's Illustrated, Galah magazine, The Design Files and Studio Home Unearthed. Follow The Sentimental Gardener on Instagram and Substack: @the_sentimental_gardener Follow Annie on Instagram: @annmaree.winter And go to the website www.thesentimentalgardener.com for show notes and other stories. The Sentimental Gardener is a gardening podcast (that's not really a gardening podcast) hosted by Cass Dowding. Produced, recorded and edited by Cass Dowding. Mixed by Tom Dowding Theme music by Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening Hosted on Libsyn Five. See https://libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy/ for more information.

  • S1 · E13
    Dec 3, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min

    Ralph Bristow on The Barwitian Garden, designing through listening and his love of Yuccas

    Ralph Bristow, expressionist painter and garden designer, joins Cass for a gentle, searching conversation about what happens when we design not from certainty, but from listening. They explore Ralph's experience of synaesthesia — hearing gardens as music — how embracing entropy and creative dissonance shapes living landscapes, and why beginning without a finished picture can lead to the most alive work of all. From colour inversion to jazz-fusion rhythms in planting, Ralph shares how his gardens emerge through risk, instinct, and deep attention to the land. Along the way, they reflect on the emotional safety beautiful spaces create — how gardens can help us feel open without feeling overwhelmed — and how his mother's words, "Do it while you can," became quiet permission to keep creating even when outcomes remain unknown. This is an invitation into uncertainty as a creative companion — into tending not just gardens, but our capacity to begin, listen, and feel fully alive. SHOW NOTES See extensive show notes at The Sentimental Gardener — Ralph Bristow Buy tickets to visit The Barwitian Garden with Open Gardens Victoria — January 2026 Music: Hayden Schueler @vereyagardening Audio engineering: Tom Dowding Production & editing: Cass Dowding Privacy policy: libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy

  • S1 · E12
    Nov 23, 2025 · 1 hr 32 min

    Rodger Elliot on cultivating Australian native plants, growing passionate plant people and the interconnectedness of everything

    Horticulturist, author, and advocate for Australian native plants, Roger Elliot AM joins Cass Dowding on The Sentimental Gardener to explore how a lifetime of noticing — from childhood bushland to decades of fieldwork — can shape the way we understand the natural world. From early days learning under mentors like Edna Walling, Jack McLeod, and Glen Wilson, to co-authoring alongside David Jones the landmark Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation, Roger has spent more than sixty years asking: How do plants, people, and place shape one another? And what grows when we care with curiosity? In this episode, they talk about: the "web of life" Roger saw long before ecology had a name the quiet, essential partnership of Roger and Gwen how nurseries, fieldwork, and mentoring shaped generations of plant lovers and why caring for plants is inseparable from caring for people A gentle, generous conversation about legacy, relationship, and the slow work of cultivating a life with meaning. — SHOW NOTES: See extensive show notes over at The Sentimental Gardner - Rodger Elliot Visit the Australian Garden at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Cranbourne to see one of the landscapes Roger helped shape. Music by Hayden Schueler @vereyagardening Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding Production and Editing: Cass Dowding Privacy: libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy

  • S1 · E11
    Nov 3, 2025 · 51 min

    Fleur Flanery on what the landscape says about us, The Australian Landscape Conference and a million trees.

    Landscape architect, horticulturist, and Director of Outlandish Ventures, Fleur Flanery joins Cass Dowding on The Sentimental Gardener to explore how the landscapes we shape — from backyards to public parks — reflect what we value. From childhood gardens brought to life by the imagination to managing Canberra's urban forest and curating the Australian Landscape Conference, Fleur has spent a lifetime asking: What is this place saying? What could it become? In this episode, they talk about: memory, lineage, and legacy held in plants rethinking beauty in public spaces what it means to sit on the edge of an idea and why design — done with intent — is an act of care A reflective conversation about tending both land and life with purpose. — SHOW NOTES: Learn more about Fleur's work, garden tours and The Australian Landscape Conference at Outlandish Ventures. Follow @outlandishventures on Instagram for updates. Music by Hayden Schueler @vereyagardening Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding Production and Editing: Cass Dowling Privacy: libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy

  • S1 · E10
    Oct 20, 2025 · 1 hr 23 min

    Attila The Horticulturist on a life of observation, his plant zoo and being a part of nature

    Canberra-based gardener, horitculturist, educator, and advocate for sustainable horticulture Attila Horgosi joins Cass Dowding on The Sentimental Gardener to explore what it means to live a life of observation — one that moves in rhythm with nature, not against it. From his home garden in Bywong, New South Wales — affectionately known as his plant zoo — Attila has spent nearly thirty years cultivating more than plants. He's cultivated a way of being. In this conversation, they talk about: how his family's migration shaped his philosophy of patience and observation, why he believes every weed tells a story, what the garden can teach us about paying attention, and the quiet rebellion of living slowly in a world that wants everything now. A grounded, reflective conversation about time, attention, and what can happen when we stop rushing for answers and start listening to the world around us. // Show notes // Follow Attila The Horticulturist on Instagram Find links and resources mentioned in the episode here. Credits: Music: Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding Production and editing: Cass Dowding See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information.

  • S1 · E9
    Sep 21, 2025 · 1 hr

    Jane Edmanson on gardens as teachers of joy and scent as triggers of memories

    Gardening Australia presenter, horticulturist, author, and broadcaster Jane Edmanson OAM joins Cass Dowding on The Sentimental Gardener podcast to explore how joy, memory, and responsibility intertwine in our gardens. They talk about Jane's unexpected path from country school teacher to one of Australia's most loved gardening voices, her pioneering role as one of the original Gardening Australia presenters, and the moments of wonder that shaped her love of plants. Along the way, they reflect on the power of scent to unlock memory, why joy itself can be a form of quiet resistance, and how caring for nature doesn't have to feel overwhelming — it can begin with something as simple as crushing a mint leaf. An uplifting, thoughtful conversation with one of Australia's gardening icons, offering hope and inspiration for anyone who's ever found solace in a plant. // Show notes // Find links and resources mentioned in the episode here Credits: Music: Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding Production and editing: Cass Dowding See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information.

  • S1 · E8
    Aug 31, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min

    Chloe Foster on her book The Rookie Gardener, prickly grevilleas and growing gardeners

    Horticulturist and author Chloe Foster joins Cass Dowding on The Sentimental Gardener podcast to talk about what it really takes to become a gardener — and why starting without a clue might be the best way in. They chat about Chloe's new book The Rookie Gardener, her early days pulling carrots straight from the ground, and her love of Australian natives (even the prickly ones). Along the way, they explore why gardens have become intimidating, how failure is part of the joy, and why humans need to get their hands back in the dirt. A warm, funny, and quietly motivating conversation for anyone who's ever looked at a plant and thought: "I have no idea what I'm doing." // Show notes // Follow Chloe on Instagram @fosteryourgarden Follow Cass on Instagram @the_sentimental_gardener Buy Chloe's book 'The Rookie Gardener' out September 2nd 2025 at your local bookstore or online Read more about Chloe's work on her website Read show notes about guests and access the full transcript by visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts Credits: Music: Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding Production and editing: Cass Dowding See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information.

  • S1 · E7
    Aug 15, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min

    Deb Collett on dahlias, the sport of flower competitions and designing a garden with memories

    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. In this episode you'll hear: How Deb's great-great-great-grandfather carried dahlia tubers from England to New Zealand in 1841, starting a family tradition that flows through generations Her journey from chemistry labs to becoming one of Australia's most trusted voices in the dahlia world Growing a "collector's garden" How specialist plant and flower societies create community and belonging around shared passion The fascinating world of dahlia genetics, where every seed creates a unique individual Her approach to breeding dahlias and what makes the "cut" in her garden The stories behind dahlia names and the heritage she's helped preserve through research Pre-rational plant memories: the violets, daphne, and New Zealand natives that anchor her to childhood Why she believes it takes just as much effort to grow a bad dahlia as a good one Plus answers to burning dahlia questions from listeners 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 Credits: Music: Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding Production and editing: Cass Dowding See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information.

  • S1 · E6
    Jul 24, 2025 · 51 min

    Jocelyn Bennett on Australian native garden design, paying attention and dreaming of French gardens

    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.

  • S1 · E5
    Jul 3, 2025 · 36 min

    Linda Pottage on making beautiful pictures, building a new 'old' house and intuitive design

    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.

  • S1 · E4
    Jun 23, 2025 · 1 hr 18 min

    Emma Cutting on street gardening, the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor and a bag of Maltesers

    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.

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