Athena Garden Design & Maintenance

14/09/2025

Spread this topdressing for an elderly client of mine on Friday. The problem areas (as specified in the close-up pics) always tend to arise throughout Winter here in Perth; and leading into Spring become especially muddy and just generally poor conditions for the grass to try grow. Having a couple of established Mango trees shading the area certainly doesn't help either! The Mango trees were recently pruned back prior to the flowering period, and hopefully with better drainage with this sandier version of topdressing, we can reestablish the lawn in this area throughout the warmer months.

07/09/2025

As the first week of Spring finishes up, I would like to share just a few of the gazillion pics I take during my working travels and of the progressive journeys of the many gardens I look after. Here is a rainbow of flowers to help brighten your day 🌈🌸🌹🌺🌞😀

04/05/2025

Funnily enough I use clients' grass clippings wherever I can! Usually either in their compost or to fill in areas of lawn that are dry & sandy, or simply just uneven. MUCH better to use a free and organic material! Grass roots quicker in an organic medium than a non-organic one 🤷🏼‍♂️😉
As for the issue of w**d seeds, if the compost is done correctly the viability of the seeds is nullified. I would never spread w**dy lawn clippings back over the same lawn, ONLY 'clean' clippings.

What do you do with grass clippings after you mow? Here's how to use them to improve your garden. Learn more ⬇️

📸: capecodphoto / Getty Images

04/05/2025

Hello everyone! 😀

Hope everyone is well?
I'm going good myself. Apologies for not posting much, it's been a challenge finding sufficient time for everything I need and want to do! 😅
Currently i'm extremely busy with work, as i'm undertaking some BIG projects at the moment, courtesy of the handful of new clients I had taken on beginning of this year. Which brings me to the reason for this post...

I received some bad news yesterday- one of these such projects I had been undertaking, has unfortunately now been 'compromised' for want of a word.
The client somehow thought I wasn't going to finish the job, so they took it upon themselves to try finish it for me and in the process has changed what i've already done for them. When in fact I was waiting for certain plants to become available, which I had explained to the client on multiple occasions.

So, the design I came up with & was implementing, going on the ideas the client had and the style they wanted, has now been forfeited and is no more. Essentially all that time and effort thusfar has now been wasted! I can no longer take credit for the end result, as the designer. I can hardly use the pictures in my portfolio in the future to advertise my expertise, as it's not what I came up with & was agreed upon by the client 👎🙄
Imagine the conversation in the future- "so I created this garden for a client, but I didn't do that, that and that. Nor this, this or this. Actually, there's not really much left here of MY original design." 🤷🏼‍♂️😅
Those of us that have a specific career, skills set and craftsmanship ultimately want that portfolio showcasing their work and specific creations, in order to try obtain further work/projects 🤷🏼‍♂️😉

It's an absolute crying shame, as it was something completely different from anything i've never done before! The client wanted a 'Hamptons' style garden, which meant lots of light colours/white and green, symmetry and order. Just to be challenging, the garden faced directly West, so will be extremely hot in Summer. This meant using natives where possible and the hardiest of hardy plants. Challenge accepted! Which I ultimately thrive on... challenges! 👌👏😁 Consequently I was VERY much looking forward to seeing how my design came into its own over time, and creating some of the ideas we had come up with using my vast array of gardening skills. Especially the artistically clipped 'balls', that I was going to create out of two different varieties of Westringeas.

I've posted pics below of the initial plantings, which was the beginning of this particular garden's journey and evolution into something potentially amazing. Plus a pic of the mood board of the plants and some of the ideas I was going to create for the client. I have plenty of other garden projects i'm currently doing, just nothing like this. As I said it's an absolute shame, but I need to redirect my attention to the other projects and bring THEM to fruition! 😁😀😁

P.S.- be sure to read the captions on the pics to get an idea of what was going to eventuate under my care. The other idea which didn't even get a chance, was I was going to standardise a white Hardenbergia and have it cascade down from a circle frame (as is used for roses and Wisteria). When it flowers in Spring it would have been spectacular, especially being situated near the entrance in pride of position! 👌😍 Half a mind to just keep the plant I had already bought and still create the idea for my own amusement 😉

04/06/2024

I absolutely LOVE my job sometimes! I can never be certain exactly what i'm going to do day to day, job from job. Even though I think I might know what i'll be doing when I leave for work for the day!

The below is a prime example. I was asked if I was able to rehang this VERY old Elkhorn by a client today, which had come crashing down this morning from it's mount (which had rotted away over time). We looked around for a suitable replacement mount, I eventually thought of this piece of wood which had originally been a feature in the client's garden. They were happy to repurpose it. Problem was it was quite heavy in itself. Plus the weight of the Elkhorn. There was no way I/we could possibly rehang it as it once was. Thus I came up with the idea of standing it up on a couple of crates or similar. I saw this blue pot sitting around & thought it would look MUCH better! With a bit of playing around & ingenuity I made it work & make it look nice for my clients 😀

What do you all think of how it looks in the end?

10/12/2023

Hello to all my loyal followers! 👋

Apologies for the extended hiatus, life & work has kept me too preoccupied to keep up with my social media commitments, but I think the time is right again to proceed with it again 👌😁

Starting with creating new photo albums, which will begin to encompass what i've been up to over the last few years! There's A LOT to fill you all in on, so buckle in & enjoy the journey that has been 😀😝😀

08/11/2021

Looking for an experienced gardener to sub-contract.

Must have the following...
-own transport/licence
-insurance
-own tools
-ABN
-good work ethic
-great attention to detail
-Police Clearance

Immediate start required.

24/11/2020

Looking for someone to assist me in my garden maintenance business. Experience & reliable transport needed.
Must be a fast worker and have good attention to detail.
Work is casual, 1-4 days/week.
Immediate start.
Apply within.

24/11/2020

I'm looking for a gardener/s to join my team. In the near future i'll be expanding my business so will also be looking for sub-contractor/s. If applicants already have this capacity an added bonus.
They'll ideally need to have at the very least experience in garden/lawn maintenance.
In the short-term they'll be training & working alongside me, to ensure their work is of the quality and standard I require it to be.
Attention to detail is a MUST!
Flexibility is required as shifts can/will change week to week, from 1-4 days/week. All work offered will be casual.

They'll also need to work in a team and efficiently work to strict time guidelines, as required/expected tasks must be completed within the set timeframe, as pre-arranged by myself with my clients.
Ideally they would have an outgoing personality as they'll sometimes be required to engage with my clients.
You must be available for an immediate start ie. this week.
Also, you will need to have a licence/car or be able to get to a central location to be picked up & dropped off.

If you feel you are suitable for this position & confidently meet ALL the above requirements, please forward your resume to:- [email protected]