Ep 132: The Garden Centre Secrets: What They Don’t Want You to Know! Artwork

The Messed Up Gardener

Hello and Welcome to The Messed Up Gardener. This podcast covers all areas of gardening from a beginner, intermediate to advanced level. It covers gardening on any budget, any space, any place. There are no rules when it comes to me, and my gardens and I do it messy. There is nothing more fun than getting your hands dirty and creating that space that gives you joy and abundance. This podcast will give tips, tricks, hacks and methodology’s to make any space work from the tiny indoor garden to the rolling meadows with even a dash of bees and hydroponics thrown in. I have been a horticulturist for as long as I can remember and in the industry since I was 15 so that’s nearly 30 years of hands on gardening experience. I am really looking forward to being on this journey & doing it messy with you.

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The Messed Up Gardener

Ep 132: The Garden Centre Secrets: What They Don’t Want You to Know!

June 22, 2025

Hello, green thumbs and fellow dirt enthusiasts! In this jam-packed episode of The Messed-Up Gardener, I’m taking you behind the glossy aisles and shiny displays of your local garden centre to reveal the 5 things they don’t want you to know—so you’ll keep coming back!

I share some juicy truths and personal stories from my years working in garden centres, from the early days at 15 to some cheeky insider tricks I picked up along the way. Learn why those cute little starter packs often set you up to fail, how seasonal FOMO is strategically used to boost sales, and why overpriced fertilizers and chemical upsells might not be what your garden actually needs.

We’ll also dive into how panic buying can drain your wallet and fill your shed with plants you’ll never plant, plus my favourite tip—the real gold is hidden in the back! Don’t miss out on those clearance deals and secret stashes that are just waiting for a savvy gardener like you.

I also share some exciting personal news—officially working for my own business as of June 20th—and what that means for future plans and supporting this wonderful community. 🌿

In this episode you’ll discover:
🌱 Why most seedling punnets are designed to fail
🌱 How to outsmart seasonal hype and stick to your planting calendar
🌱 DIY soil health boosters that beat expensive store-bought stuff
🌱 How to avoid the panic-buying trap
🌱 Tips to uncover the best clearance deals and build relationships with staff

If you’re a teacher, homeschooler, or community gardener— DM me for more information on our mushroom growing homeschooling kits and lesson plans. I’m so excited to bring these into your classrooms and learning spaces.

👉 Listen now and take control of your garden—and your wallet—by growing smarter, not spendier!

👉 Connect with Esther on Instagram @themessedupgardener and share your autumn garden wins, fails, and cozy compost moments!

🛠️ Ready to get more from your garden? Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming mini masterclasses packed with real talk, practical tips, and a little bit of garden messiness and share this episode with a fellow plant lovers!

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· A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters

https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters

Don’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

Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.