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Herb Your Enthusiasm – Kalamunda Garden Festival 2026 (Part 2)
In Part 2 of our coverage from the Kalamunda Garden Festival, we continue our conversations with three passionate guests who each bring a unique perspective to the world of gardening, horticulture, and the tools that support them.
First, I sit down with Chloe Thomson, founder of Sprout School, horticulturist, educator, presenter, writer, and passionate advocate for gardening as a tool for environmental and personal wellbeing. Chloe shares her experiences helping people build confidence in the garden, encouraging biodiversity in urban landscapes, and fostering deeper connections between people and nature. Our conversation explores the power of gardening to create healthier communities, support local wildlife, and inspire the next generation of gardeners.
Next, I chat with Jamie from East to West Tools, a specialist supplier of premium Japanese gardening and woodworking tools. Jamie shares the history and philosophy behind traditional Japanese toolmaking, exploring how centuries-old craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a culture of continual refinement have influenced the design of some of the world's finest hand tools. We discuss why Japanese secateurs, saws, and pruning equipment have developed such a loyal following among gardeners, arborists, and horticultural professionals, and what Australian gardeners can learn from the Japanese approach to working with plants.
Finally, I speak with John Colwill, Vice President of the Araluen Botanic Park Foundation. John offers insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Western Australian gardens in a changing climate. We discuss water-wise gardening principles, plant selection, landscape resilience, and the important role botanic gardens play in conservation, education, and connecting communities with the natural world.
Recorded live at the 2026 Kalamunda Garden Festival, this episode showcases the knowledge, experience, and passion that make the festival such a valuable gathering for gardeners of all skill levels.
Guests Featured
Chloe Thomson – Founder of Sprout School
Chloe Thomson is a horticulturist, educator, presenter, writer, and content creator best known as the founder of Sprout School, one of Australia's leading online gardening education programs. Through Sprout School, Chloe has helped thousands of gardeners build the confidence and practical skills needed to create thriving gardens, regardless of their experience level. A familiar voice across podcasts, radio, social media, industry events, and gardening publications, Chloe is passionate about making horticultural knowledge approachable, engaging, and accessible to everyday gardeners. She is also the creator of Bean There Dug That, where she combines expert advice with practical, real-world gardening inspiration.
Jamie – East to West Tools
A passionate advocate for traditional Japanese toolmaking, Jamie specialises in sourcing and supplying premium Japanese gardening and woodworking tools to Australian gardeners and tradespeople. Drawing on centuries of Japanese craftsmanship and design philosophy, East to West Tools helps connect professionals and enthusiasts with tools renowned for their precision, durability, and exceptional cutting performance. In this conversation, Jamie explores the cultural traditions behind Japanese tools and why they have earned such a devoted following around the world.
John Colwill – Vice President, Araluen Botanic Park Foundation
A respected horticultural leader and advocate for public gardens, John helps guide the stewardship of one of Western Australia's most treasured botanical destinations. With extensive experience in horticulture, landscape management, conservation, and environmental education, he is passionate about helping gardeners adapt to a changing climate through thoughtful plant selection, water-wise gardening, and sustainable landscape practices. His work focuses on preserving horticultural heritage while promoting resilient, environmentally responsible gardening for future generations.
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