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, mushrooms 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.
The Messed Up Gardener
Ep 140: The Doomsday Garden Kit – Listener Q&A Special (Part 3)
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Hello and welcome back to another episode of The Messed-Up Gardener! I’m Esther Williams, your host, and as always — I’m absolutely buzzed to be here with you today.
Over the past two episodes, we’ve been digging deep into the Doomsday Garden Kit: what you’d pack if you had to grow food from scratch in a survival situation. And wow… the response has been incredible. You sent me so many questions that I had to dedicate this final part of the series to answering them directly.
But first, a little side story. My best friend turned 60 this week, and we celebrated in a way that’s definitely not my usual style — at a nail salon. Yep, me, the chainsaw-and-chipper-loving gardener, getting pampered. It was an experience, to say the least! What struck me wasn’t just the polish (that apparently I now have to pay to get removed?!) but the conveyor-belt business model. And it got me thinking… what if gardening worked like that? Systems that keep producing value over and over again — whether in business, or in the garden.
Now, back to the good stuff. In this Q&A episode we’re tackling:
🌱 Which seeds last the longest in storage (and how to keep them viable).
🥬 The fastest crops to grow when you need food yesterday.
🥔 Whether you can really survive on just a garden.
🧂 How to preserve food without a fridge using old-school methods like fermenting, smoking, and the holy trinity of salt, vinegar, and sugar.
🪴 How to grow food indoors if you have no land at all.
💧 Overlooked barter items (hint: soap and clean water are survival gold).
🐛 Natural pest control strategies without sprays.
💡 And finally, the mindset piece — why adaptability, humour, and grit matter more than a perfect pantry.
This one wraps up the series, and it’s been one of my favourites to record. So grab a cuppa, settle in, and let’s dive into your doomsday garden questions together.
👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or leave a review — it helps more people discover The Messed Up Gardener. And if you’re keen on one-on-one mentoring to grow your garden confidence (or even explore a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open — so get in touch.
Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. Have an abundant week — and as always… I’ll buzz you later! 🐝
🐝 Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything!
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The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms
Or Grab
· 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
- 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.