In this week’s Gardening Australia 2025 Episode 10, we journey into the heart of the suburbs, the countryside, and even the classroom, uncovering how gardening brings people, places, and passions together in remarkable ways. From radiant dahlias to tropical wonders, every segment is rooted in the love of the land—and the gardeners who cultivate it.
Costa begins by visiting a suburban homestead that redefines what a garden can be. Tucked away in the midst of everyday life, this backyard is anything but ordinary. With clever design, permaculture principles, and an eye for sustainability, the space flourishes as both a productive plot and a peaceful retreat. It’s a living example of how even a modest patch of soil can become a thriving oasis—proving that gardening isn’t just for those with acres to spare.
Next, Hannah steps into a kaleidoscope of colour at a flourishing dahlia farm. The scene is almost otherworldly—rows upon rows of bold, intricate blooms standing like painted soldiers in the sun. But there’s more than beauty here. The passionate growers behind this farm are on a mission to preserve rare varieties and share their love for this charismatic flower with fellow gardeners. With every petal comes a story, and Hannah brings them to life.
Meanwhile, Sophie meets a group of schoolchildren working together to restore a local creek. Armed with enthusiasm and shovels, these young environmentalists are learning the power of nurturing not only plants but also their community. Their journey reminds us that gardening can plant deeper roots than we imagine—growing connection, responsibility, and hope along the way.
Millie takes us underground—figuratively, at least—as she explores how geology shapes the gardens we grow. Soil, rock, and terrain aren’t just a backdrop; they’re silent partners in every gardener’s story. From mineral-rich pockets that nourish to challenges that test resilience, understanding the ground beneath us can unlock a garden’s true potential. Millie’s discoveries offer fresh perspective and practical insight for gardeners everywhere.
Up north, Tammy introduces us to the captivating medinilla—a tropical plant with drooping pink clusters that seem to float like chandeliers in the humid air. Growing these gems requires patience, precision, and a bit of magic. Tammy’s guide through lush, leafy surroundings reveals how passion for the exotic can blossom even far from the equator.
Finally, we meet a collector whose garden is a treasure chest of rare species, each plant a chapter in an extraordinary tale. From delicate orchids to elusive ferns, every leaf holds history, mystery, and deep devotion. This collector’s garden is a sanctuary—not just for the plants but for the spirit of exploration that lives in all true gardeners.
As the episode draws to a close, one thing becomes clear: gardening is more than a hobby—it’s a way of life. Whether you’re tending dahlias in the country, growing edibles in the city, or restoring nature one seed at a time, every garden is a personal expression of hope, creativity, and care. And for gardeners across Australia, that shared love of green is what makes every story bloom.
Gardening Australia 2025 Episode 10
Urban Food Production Reimagined
The episode begins with host Costa Georgiadis visiting Ben Strong’s suburban homestead in Niddrie, near Melbourne Airport. Ben, a former architect, has transformed his quarter-acre block into a productive urban farm over four years.
“We’re growing hundreds of kilos of fruit and veg every year, feeding us and our friends and family,” Ben explains with evident pride.
His journey into gardening began unexpectedly. While working as an architect focused on sustainability, Ben realized growing food could make a tangible difference in his daily life. Subsequently, he created 22 vegetable garden beds arranged north-south to maximize sunlight exposure.
Ben’s approach showcases thoughtful design principles. He cultivates about 30 different annual plants and strategically positions crops based on the garden’s microclimates. Furthermore, he incorporates companion planting, noting that “plants do a lot better when they’re planted with other species.”
A highlight of Ben’s system is his integrated chicken composting setup. The chickens pick through food scraps before Ben creates hot compost piles that move downhill through a series of bays. Eventually, he sifts the finished compost using a homemade A-frame sifter.
Ben and his wife Maddie preserve their abundant harvests, with pantry shelves displaying jars of preserved produce alongside about 30 kilograms of harvested potatoes. As Maddie notes, “It’s such a collaboration between what’s happening in the garden and then bringing it into the kitchen.”
Tropical Treasures and Rock Foundations
Tammy’s segment explores medinillas, tropical flowering shrubs known for their long-lasting blooms and ornamental berries. These plants grow cauliflorously, with blooms emerging directly from the woody trunk rather than from new growth.
Tammy demonstrates how to plant medinillas in a hanging basket, emphasizing excellent drainage. She creates a mix of chunky orchid bark, perlite, and horticultural charcoal to mimic their natural epiphytic growing conditions.
“With a bit of commitment to care for eye-catching medinillas, I guarantee these tropical treasures will give back in spades,” Tammy assures viewers.
Millie’s segment delves into the fascinating connection between geology and plant communities. She visits Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve with 91-year-old geologist and botanist Leon Costermans, author of renowned Australian plant identification books.
Leon explains how different substrate types—primarily sand of varying origins—support distinct plant communities. The coastal sands near Seaford Beach host plants with “coast” in their names, while inland wind-blown sand supports heathland species.
“What’s under the surface is just as important as what’s above the surface if you want to understand nature,” Leon emphasizes.
The segment highlights how human disturbance allows certain plants to grow where they shouldn’t. Despite being native, coast tea-tree and wattle become invasive when growing inland, smothering other species.
Leon’s volunteer group has worked for nearly 40 years to restore the reserve’s plant diversity. Their efforts have transformed the landscape, attracting birds and creating healthier plant communities.
Dahlia Diversity and Creek Conservation
Hannah visits Earthenry Flower Farm, where owner Emma Horswill showcases her passion for dahlias. Emma grows approximately 100 varieties, including 40 seedlings bred at the farm.
The segment explores various dahlia forms, from tiny pompons to giant dinner plates. Emma reveals her fondness for collarettes, noting they’re “very useful for design work” and “the bees love them.”
Emma explains dahlias’ tremendous genetic diversity. As octoploids with four sets of genes on both sides, dahlias produce offspring with remarkable variation. This genetic richness makes breeding new varieties particularly exciting.
“It’s like Christmas morning when that first flower opens up,” Emma shares enthusiastically.
Sophie visits St Michael’s Lutheran School, where students have spent ten years restoring a section of historic Hahndorf Creek. Principal Terri Taylor saw the project as “a perfect opportunity for our children to learn something about conservation.”
The students monitor water quality, wildlife activity, and flora using scientific equipment. Their “Creek Club” meets weekly to maintain the area and check nest boxes with a specialized camera.
Their efforts have attracted waterbirds, ducks, and small birds like finches and honeyeaters. Moreover, the students won the SA Junior Landcare Award, earning $1,000 for their creek restoration work.
IT teacher Mary Whittaker guides students in scientific testing of pH, temperature, salinity, and velocity. The children collect water samples to identify macroinvertebrates, using microscopes and identification charts.
When asked why monitoring creek wildlife matters, one student insightfully responds, “We know how successful we’ve been in restoring the vegetation if animals decide to live there.”
Preserving Plant Diversity
Gardening Australia 2025 Episode 10 concludes with Randall Robinson, a passionate plant collector with approximately 10,000 plants representing around 8,000 species. His 12.5-hectare property north-east of Melbourne serves as both home and private nature reserve.
Randall’s collection reflects his scientific background with systematic organization. Among his treasures is Pelargonium cotyledonis from St Helena island, locally called “old man live forever” for its centuries-long lifespan.
His fascination with plants began at age four, growing up next to a United States Department of Agriculture trial garden. After studying horticulture in Philadelphia, he earned the Eric Young Orchid Scholarship, which allowed him to observe orchids worldwide.
Randall believes private collections play a crucial role in plant conservation. He sees it as his responsibility to maintain and showcase plants not commonly grown, almost recreating his childhood experience of having access to a trial garden.
“The main life lesson I’ve learned from plants is that my personal desire is less than the individual need of the plant,” Randall reflects. “It’s a humbling experience that it’s not about me. It’s actually about the plants.”
The episode wraps up with regional gardening tasks for viewers across Australia’s diverse climate zones. These practical tips connect the inspiring stories to actionable gardening advice for home gardeners throughout the country.
Growing Tomorrow: The Transformative Power of Gardening Today
Through the lens of Gardening Australia 2025 Episode 10, we witness gardening’s evolution from a hobby to a powerful tool for sustainability, conservation, and community building. Indeed, this episode showcases how gardens connect us not just to plants but to deeper ecological understanding and personal fulfillment.
Ben Strong’s suburban food forest demonstrates how urban spaces can transform into productive havens. Similarly, Tammy’s medinilla cultivation illustrates that even exotic species can thrive with proper understanding of their needs. Meanwhile, Leon Costermans’ geological insights remind us that successful gardening requires looking beneath the surface, both literally and figuratively.
The dahlia farm, furthermore, celebrates both biodiversity and human creativity through breeding. Emma’s dedication to developing new varieties shows how gardeners become scientists, artists, and preservationists simultaneously. Additionally, the school creek restoration project demonstrates gardening’s educational potential, nurturing young environmentalists who understand ecosystems through hands-on experience.
Perhaps most inspiring, however, is Randall Robinson’s collection of rare plants. His approach embodies gardening’s highest calling: preservation of diversity for future generations. Consequently, his work represents a living museum and genetic bank of botanical treasures.
These stories collectively reveal gardening’s multifaceted impact. First, it offers food security and self-sufficiency. Second, it creates opportunities for scientific discovery and artistic expression. Third, it builds environmental awareness through direct engagement with natural processes.
In our rapidly changing world, gardens therefore serve as anchors, connecting us to ancient knowledge while fostering innovation. They provide spaces where human creativity meets natural systems, resulting in sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges.
As viewers tend their own gardens, they join this global community of plant stewards. Whether cultivating a single pot on a windowsill or managing acres of land, every gardener participates in the age-old conversation between humans and plants. This conversation, ultimately, shapes our landscapes, our communities, and our future – one carefully tended plot at a time.
FAQ Gardening Australia 2025 Episode 10
Q: What are the key benefits of urban food gardening as shown in Gardening Australia?
A: Urban food gardening offers multiple benefits including food security, sustainability, and connection to nature. In Gardening Australia Episode 10, Ben Strong demonstrates how his quarter-acre block produces hundreds of kilos of fruits and vegetables annually. Additionally, his integrated chicken-compost system creates a closed-loop ecosystem that reduces waste and builds soil fertility. Furthermore, urban food gardens like Ben’s foster community connections through sharing produce with friends and family while also promoting physical and mental wellbeing through outdoor activity.
Q: How can I design my garden beds for maximum sunlight exposure?
A: For maximum sunlight exposure, arrange garden beds in a north-south orientation as demonstrated by Ben Strong in Gardening Australia. This arrangement allows sunlight to travel from east to west across the beds throughout the day, minimizing overshadowing between plants. Moreover, consider your property’s unique microclimates when positioning crops – place heat-loving plants like tomatoes and capsicums near heat-radiating structures such as brick walls. Finally, observe how sunlight moves across your property throughout different seasons before establishing permanent beds to optimize growing conditions year-round.
Q: What is the relationship between geology and plant communities in a garden?
A: Geology directly influences which plant communities thrive in specific areas as explained by Leon Costermans in Gardening Australia. Different soil types and substrates support distinct plant species – for instance, coastal sands host plants with ‘coast’ in their names while inland wind-blown sand supports heathland species. Furthermore, understanding the underlying geology helps gardeners select appropriate plants without fighting against natural conditions. Consequently, successful gardening requires looking beneath the surface to recognize how rock formations, drainage patterns, and soil composition determine which plants will flourish in your unique garden environment.
Q: How do I properly care for tropical medinillas in a home garden?
A: Medinillas require specific care to thrive in home gardens. First, plant them in excellent-draining media consisting of chunky orchid bark, perlite, and horticultural charcoal to mimic their natural epiphytic growing conditions. Additionally, position medinillas in well-lit, semi-shaded locations protected from strong direct sunlight, especially hot afternoon sun. Furthermore, water regularly during warmer months but keep them drier during cool periods, never letting them sit in water. Finally, feed medinillas weekly during growing season with orchid-specific fertilizer that has lower nitrogen and higher potassium levels to enhance flowering and fruiting.
Q: What makes dahlias so diverse and how can I start breeding my own varieties?
A: Dahlias exhibit remarkable diversity due to their octoploid genetics – having four sets of genes on both sides compared to humans’ two sets. To breed your own varieties, start by collecting seeds from fully mature, dried seed heads, focusing on dark black seeds rather than light green or brown ones. Subsequently, you can either hand-pollinate specific parent plants or use open pollination by planting similar colors in rows that bees naturally travel down. Moreover, assessment is crucial – grow seedlings for three years before naming and releasing any new variety, selecting only those with desirable traits like strong stems and upward-facing blooms.
Q: How can schools incorporate creek restoration into educational programs?
A: Schools can integrate creek restoration into their curriculum as demonstrated by St. Michael’s Lutheran School in Gardening Australia. Begin by establishing a dedicated student group like their ‘Creek Club’ that meets regularly to maintain the area. Furthermore, incorporate scientific monitoring activities such as water quality testing, wildlife observation, and identification of flora and fauna. Additionally, use specialized equipment like nest box cameras to engage students in real-time ecological observation. Consequently, students develop hands-on conservation skills while learning biology, chemistry, and environmental science through practical application rather than theoretical classroom work alone.
Q: What role do private plant collections play in conservation efforts?
A: Private plant collections serve as crucial repositories for rare and endangered species as shown by Randall Robinson’s extensive collection. These collections preserve genetic diversity that might otherwise be lost due to habitat destruction or commercial limitations. Moreover, dedicated collectors often develop specialized knowledge about growing unusual plants that can benefit broader conservation efforts. Additionally, private collections frequently become educational resources when shared with the public or researchers. Therefore, passionate collectors like Randall contribute significantly to plant conservation by maintaining living specimens of plants that might not survive in commercial nurseries or botanical gardens.
Q: How can I create an effective compost system with chickens like Ben Strong’s?
A: To create an integrated chicken-compost system like Ben Strong’s, design a series of compost bays positioned on a slight slope. First, direct food and garden scraps to the top bay where chickens can forage through them for edible bits. Next, move partially processed material downhill to create hot compost piles that reach approximately 55 degrees Celsius. Additionally, turn the piles as they move downhill through the system over several months. Finally, incorporate a homemade sifter like Ben’s A-frame design to separate fine compost from chunky material that returns to the system. This arrangement maximizes decomposition while providing chickens with natural foraging opportunities.
Q: What considerations should I make when choosing plants for my specific garden conditions?
A: When selecting plants for your garden, first assess your site’s underlying geology and soil composition as highlighted by Leon Costermans. Subsequently, identify distinct microclimates within your property, noting variations in sun exposure, moisture retention, and wind patterns. Furthermore, observe which native plants naturally thrive in similar conditions in your region. As Randall Robinson advises, “I’m a firm believer in growing only plants that fit into the conditions you have instead of making heroic efforts.” Consequently, you’ll achieve greater success and sustainability by working with your garden’s natural conditions rather than constantly fighting against them.
Q: How can preserving and storing garden produce extend the benefits of home gardening?
A: Preserving garden produce extends harvests beyond their natural seasons while reducing food waste. As demonstrated by Ben and Maddie Strong, techniques like canning, pickling, and drying allow gardeners to enjoy their bounty year-round. Additionally, seed saving from successful crops ensures genetic continuity and adaptation to your specific growing conditions. Furthermore, preservation creates opportunities for sharing with community members, strengthening social connections. Therefore, developing food preservation skills transforms seasonal abundance into lasting food security and deepens the relationship between garden, kitchen, and community in a sustainable food system.
