Shaping the Future of Landscaping with Caitlin Sanderson & Jessica Whatnall | The Front Garden EP119
The Front Garden
The Front Garden
Shaping the Future of Landscaping with Caitlin Sanderson & Jessica Whatnall | The Front Garden EP119
Apr 17, 2025 Season 11 Episode 119
LV Member - Chris Weiss

In this episode…

Host Chris Weiss chats with the 2024 Victorian Landscape Industry Awards Apprentices of the Year—Caitlin Sanderson (Horticulture, Parks & Gardens) and Jessica Whatnall (Landscape Construction)—about their unique journeys into the landscaping industry, their career aspirations, and the lessons they’ve learned on site and at TAFE.

From pushing barrows of concrete to designing planter boxes for public spaces, Caitlin and Jess share how they found their passion in landscaping, coming from different backgrounds but with a shared determination to grow. 

In this inspiring episode, Caitlin and Jess open up about navigating the challenges of being women in a traditionally male-dominated trade, the value of supportive mentors, and how hands-on experience is shaping their future.

Key takeaways:

  • The real value of apprenticeships: learning by doing (and sometimes failing)
  • Why plant knowledge is just as powerful as power tools
  • How the industry is becoming more inclusive and supportive for women
  • The power of good advice, good teams, and giving things a go
  • Insight into career progression in both council and private landscaping work

Whether you’re an apprentice, mentor, or industry leader, this episode is a reminder of why supporting the next generation matters—and what it looks like when young professionals thrive.

 

🔔 Follow The Front Garden For More Landscaping Industry Insights

 

👁️‍🗨️ About Caitlin Sanderson and Jessica Whatnall

-        Website: Caitlin Sanderson Awards Profile – Landscaping Victoria

-        Website: Jessica Whatnall Awards Profile – Landscaping Victoria

-        LinkedIn: @Manningham Council and @Mark Gabell And Associates

Got a suggestion for an episode of The Front Garden? Send us a text message!

The Front Garden Podcast is proudly presented by Landscaping Victoria, and is brought to you by Project Landscape. Providing an exclusive opportunity for LV members to visually showcase their work. For more details, visit project landscape.com.au

Episode Artwork Shaping the Future of Landscaping with Caitlin Sanderson & Jessica Whatnall | The Front Garden EP119 34:23 Episode Artwork Growing a Landscaping Business with Purpose with Peter Shaw | The Front Garden EP118 37:54 Episode Artwork Mastering Coastal Landscapes with Jane Jones | The Front Garden EP114 33:37 Episode Artwork Building Pools, Building Business with Scott Tymkin | The Front Garden EP116 41:18 Episode Artwork Landscaping Smarter, Not Harder with Simon Rosa | The Front Garden EP115 38:48 Episode Artwork Plants with Purpose: Urban Greening with Claire Farrell | The Front Garden EP114 34:53 Episode Artwork The Future of Horticulture with Matt Mansfield | The Front Garden EP113 36:29 Episode Artwork From Apprenticeship to Thriving Business Owner: Growing a Career in Horticulture with Cameron Hainsworth | The Front Garden Podcast EP 112 35:01 Episode Artwork From Graphic Design to Garden Design: Creativity, Client Relationships, and Building a Thriving Solo Business with Ros McCully | The Front Garden EP 111 42:35 Episode Artwork From Mowers to Million-Dollar Maintenance: The Evolution of Blue Ridge Property Maintenance with Mathew Wandmaker | EP110 41:24 Episode Artwork Marketing Tips for Landscaping Professionals with Lauren Bianchi | The Front Garden EP109 38:03 Episode Artwork Landscapes Reimagined: From Backyards to Botanical Gardens with Wayne De Klijn | The Front Garden EP108 37:06 Episode Artwork Cultivating Diversity in Trades: Insights from Abby Kempe of Tradeswomen Australia | The Front Garden EP107 36:30 Episode Artwork Building a Full-Service Landscape Business with Michael Chapple from Urbane Landscape Construction | The Front Garden EP106 41:23 Episode Artwork The Front Garden EP105 - Paul Pritchard - From Builder to Designer: A Landscaping Evolution 34:59 Episode Artwork The Front Garden EP104 – End of an Era: Tyson declares his innings closed at 104 not out! 32:48 Episode Artwork The Front Garden EP103 – Matt James from Atlas Concrete & Landscapes and Nadia Cole from Platylobium Landscape Design – Hear about crafting a show-stopping garden at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. 39:15 Episode Artwork The Front Garden EP102 – Ken Bartlett from Ace Contractors Group - Hear about commercial landscaping, where large-scale projects intersect with complex challenges and innovative solutions. 35:45 Episode Artwork The Front Garden EP101 - Emmaline Bowman & Liam Riley – Hear insider tips on succeeding in the landscaping industry from these MIFGS Gold Medal award winners! 42:38 Episode Artwork The Front Garden EP100 - Benjamin Warner (UDL Group) - talks all things commercial landscaping 38:15 Episode Artwork The Front Garden EP99 - Ross Anderson (Williams Adams - CAT) shares his fascinating journey from landscaping in Australia to heading up the LV equivalent in Canada before returning home to represent CAT. 40:49 Episode Artwork The Front Garden EP98 - Arborgreen - Think you know tree care? Think again! Hear from key staff within the organisation about how their products can benefit your business. 35:07 Episode Artwork The Front Garden EP97 - Nathan Burkett shares his insights into landscape architecture 36:42 Episode Artwork The Front Garden EP96 - Paul Bangay, Australia's most well-known landscape designer. 39:28 Episode Artwork The Front Garden EP95 - Simon Branson from Sustainable Gardening Australia talks on the importance of cultivating sustainability 38:21