In this episode…
Our host, Adam Hompas, sits down with landscape designer Natalie Back from Living Earth Design in the Dandenong Ranges to explore how a creek-loving childhood, a passion for plants and chickens, and her studies at Swinburne shaped her values-led approach to gardens.
A former LV student member turned full member and business owner, Natalie is carving out a niche for joyful, resilient landscapes that put soil health, biodiversity and edibles at the heart of the design.
Natalie talks about designing entirely in 3D with Vectorworks, using immersive walkthroughs to help clients truly understand and refine their gardens before construction. She and Adam dive into briefing for emotion and values, treating water and soil as assets, weaving in veggies and chooks in realistic ways, and why the right design can make a garden genuinely lower-maintenance.
Natalie also shares the story behind her “Sustainable Sanctuary” garden at MIFGS, her ambitions for future show gardens, practical advice for emerging designers, and the core values that drive her business: freedom, creativity, expertise, resilience and joy.
Key Takeaways
- Why 3D design matters: Using Vectorworks and walkthroughs so clients can clearly visualise and refine their garden before the build.
- A better client brief: Designing around feelings, values and joy—not just styles or plant lists.
- Soil as a sponge: Keeping rainwater on site, improving soil health and using permeability to build resilience.
- Biodiversity by design: Choosing layered, diverse plant palettes that support insects, birds and broader ecosystems.
- Edibles & chickens: Practical ways to incorporate veggies, wicking beds and chooks into real residential gardens.
- Show garden experience: What Natalie learned creating her “Sustainable Sanctuary” at MIFGS with a $10K OGV grant.
- Values-led business: How her core values guide each project and help qualify the right clients.
- Advice for emerging designers: Stick with it, learn from mistakes, gain construction exposure and know when to say no.
If you’re a landscape designer or contractor looking to grow your skills, build your network and step into opportunities like Natalie’s – from student pathways through to show gardens – Landscaping Victoria membership can help.
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👁️🗨️ About Natalie Back
- Website: livingearthdesign.com.au
- Living Earth Design Blog
- Facebook: Living Earth Design
- Instagram: @livingearthdesign
- LinkedIn: Natalie Back
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