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What drew you to horticulture originally?
I was drawn to horticulture through landscape design. Coming from a background in commercial visual communication and brand strategy, it felt like a pragmatic pivot, a way to stay in a creative role while moving toward something that connected me to the outdoors. But I’m not one for aesthetics alone, the output needs to be functional and practical too. That’s what led me to want to understand what “beautiful and functional” looks like in a garden context, which for me means sustainable and climate-adaptable, and that’s what drew me into horticulture: wanting to understand the fundamentals of a garden, its plants.
What pathway did you take to get there?
My pathway to horticulture hasn’t been linear, and it’s still unfolding. I’m very much a newbie, having spent long days in the library last year reading about plant health, soil, and pests.
I spent my early days as a commercial illustrator working with large brands like Vogue, Singapore Airlines, and Vans, then pivoted back into visual communication design, working with MONA on Dark Mofo and later as a creative director co-directing a national anti-gambling campaign for the Tasmanian Government. Most recently, I was a brand strategist for a sustainable latex mattress company that was building regenerative farms in Sri Lanka at the time.
I point all this out to show just how non-linear the path has been. In reflection, the thread running through it has always been nature, connection, and moving towards more values-driven work.
I’ve always been drawn back to nature, even when the outlet for it was small. Our backyard is a good example: most people extend the house, it makes more economic sense given market perception, but we ripped out the lawn, kept the old birch for canopy, and built a productive, pollinator-friendly garden. It’s become an inner-city refuge. Over time, I kept adding more plants until it became a full obsession, one that’s since spilled into our shared laneway with the neighbours, which I love, because it’s become a place for us to stop, connect, and share our day. I’d argue against the need for a house extension; economic value is also in greening our cities and building the shared commons.
More recently, I completed my Cert IV in Horticulture at Melbourne Polytechnic, studying full-time while also working as a creative strategist and volunteering on boards. I like running multiple threads at once. The study path led me to this year’s MIFGS, where I was grateful to be one of four students to represent the school and was awarded a silver medal and People’s Choice for my garden. It was also an extremely pleasant surprise to be recognised as Outstanding VET Student of the Year and Horticulture Student of the Year for my academic achievements. I’m extremely grateful for that.
Beth Gregory Before and After
Beth Gregory Backyard Garden Details
What obstacles did you encounter along the way?
Working across multiple disciplines, the real complexity has been figuring out how it all fits together, and what I need to do to create that opportunity for myself.
I see real potential to build something within horticulture that’s progressive in community participation, urban farming, and climate responsiveness, paired with my background. But building that body of work is itself an obstacle; it takes time and proof before it’s recognised.
Beyond that, the practical obstacles have been real: balancing full-time contract work with full-time study and juggling competing deadlines throughout, but we got there.
Who were your mentors?
Chloe Foster, one of my teachers, probably doesn’t know how much she’s shaped this. She’s generous with her knowledge. David Sparks and Alistair Kirkpatrick were also incredibly generous teachers.
Locally, Emma Cutting from Heartscape is a rockstar; the work she’s committed to for our city isn’t an easy path.
From a distance, I’ve learned from Dr. Elaine Ingham, Elinor Ostrom, Joost Bakker, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, and Richard Flanagan, curious minds who question the systems around them, exactly the thinking we need for complex problems.
Beth Gregory Front Verge pollinator planting with Neighbours helping
Beth Gregory Melbourne Edible Garden Trail
What are you working on at the moment?
At the moment I’m working on building a more linear relationship between my past profession and my professional development in horticulture.
I’m also studying Sustainability, at the University of Tasmania, to expand my knowledge of urban living, climate change and communicating sustainability. The communicating sustainability unit has been fascinating paired with my horticulture; it’s the missing piece of the puzzle.
I’m also in the early stages of exploring a project in Sri Lanka with an ex-colleague who’s local and has some land there. We’re talking through producing a provenance product and what a transparent, regenerative farming model could look like for that, but it’s still very early days at this point.
There’s also a women-led community initiative in the works, celebrating the creators of gardens for our future, with local edible and pollinator gardens in urban spaces playing a major role. Pending auspicing and grant funding, we’re hoping to launch in early 2027. We’re building the socials now if anyone’s keen to follow along and be apart of that community.
Other things for the rest of 2026:
- Working on our shared laneway community garden
- Propagating seeds for our productive home garden
- Adding more pollinator plants to bring in beneficial predators, the aphids are out of control
- Writing content strategy documents and developing brand ID for new projects
- Researching batch testing sites in Melbourne
What does an average day consist of for you?
Today I’m dedicated to Uni, so I’m reading a lot of course papers, alongside follow-up emails with people I’ve connected with on various projects. Tomorrow I’ll be dedicating time to research and further development for those projects. The rest of the week is usually filled with paid work from consulting contracts. All days I’m outside learning from my garden.
What is your favourite plant?
It changes every time I learn something new. I tend to learn a family first. At the moment my favourite family is Zingiberaceae, I’m enjoying turmeric and ginger tea.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully with a clear sense of how my work and experience all fit together, and a portfolio to show for some of the projects I’ve discussed here.
I’d love our Sri Lanka project be successful in the next 1 to 2 years.
More broadly, I want to be more involved in the plant world, and local community.
What are your 3 most worthwhile tips that you can give to women who are starting out in the horticulture industry?
Give it a go. Be brave, try out new things. Don’t let other determine what can can and can’t do.
Work smart. In our hustle culture, growth and efficiency are often seen as the only KPIs that matter, but it’s important to slow down within the chaos. For me, working smarter means slowing down and responding in ways that make sense to me.
Stay curious. Ask questions, introduce yourself, talk to people. Not everyone will have time for you, but stay curious for your own development, because we need more curious minds, and women have an important and necessary role to play in that.
@bethemily
@melbourneediblegardentrail