Soil Solver Speakers Stage

Bring your budding gardening questions to the Soil Solver Speakers Stage and have some of WA’s garden experts, help you turn that brown thumb green again!

With professional knowledge in Australian natives, home veggie patches and growing plants from cuttings there really is a seminar for everyone’s home garden needs.


2023 Seminar Schedule

Meet some of your ‘Local Gardening Heroes’ who will be speaking about all things gardening at the Soil Solver Speakers Stage. Bring in your ailing plants for advice at our Q and A sessions.

Compered by John Colwill, plantsman and media presenter.

Thursday 11th May

  • Gavin Davis

    Owner and developer of ‘Soil Solver®’ soil amendment products: “The components of good soil - The relationship between minerals and organics” and Q&A

  • Bonsai Society of WA

    Bonsai - A living Art. Demonstration and Q+A with Bonsai Society of WA members

  • Faye Arcaro

    Horticulturalist and ‘Let’s Talk Gardening’ co-host, Curtin Radio: “Garden Critters: Showcasing the often-unseen minibeasts that lurk in gardens and explaining their role in our ecosystem”

  • Casey Lister

    Garden writer ‘The Sunday Times’ and garden coach: “Organic and wildlife friendly gardening - befriending pests, embracing weeds and making gardening joyful”

  • Jo Harris

    Owner Guildford Town Garden Centre: “Pretty plants for small gardens” and Q&A

  • Floral Art Demonstration

    Floral art demonstration by Val Roy from the WA Floral Art Society using fresh foliage and flowers

  • Gavin Davis

    Owner and developer of ‘Soil Solver®’ soil amendment products: “The answer lies in the soil” - pests and diseases, hydrophobic conditions, the environment and clay” and Q&A

  • Deryn Thorpe

    ‘All The Dirt’ podcaster, garden talkback presenter: “Citrus: Caring for a productive and beautiful backyard tree” and Q&A

Friday 12th May

  • Colin Rossbridge

    Veolia Environmental Services, Manager - Sales & Market Development (Organics): “Explore compost and the purpose it serves within a circular economy” and Q&A

  • Bonsai Society of WA

    Bonsai - A living Art. Demonstration and Q+A with Bonsai Society of WA members

  • Sharon Barbera

    Horticulturalist, plant consultant and garden designer: “Everything you wanted to know about growing beautiful house plants”

  • Mark Tucek

    Horticulturalist and water plant wholesaler: “Choosing the best water plants for your pond and water bowl”

  • John Colwill

    Horticulturalist and media personality: "How to achieve everlasting happiness - a brief introduction to WA's amazing annuals" and Q and A”

  • Floral Art Demonstration

    Floral art demonstration by Anna Stokes from the WA Floral Art Society using fresh foliage and flowers

  • Gavin Davis

    Owner and developer of ‘Soil Solver®’ soil amendment products: “The components of good soil - The relationship between minerals and organics” and Q&A

  • Linda Mitchener

    Horticulturalist, Green Life Soil Co: "The importance of gardening organically” and Q&A

  • Peg Davies

    Waste and sustainability educator: “Compost made easy with no bad smells, using what you’ve got’

Saturday 13th May

  • Rohan Carboon

    Bushfire safety consultant: “Garden design in bushfire prone areas” and fire safety Q&A

  • David Parnhan

    Owner ‘Parkerville Berry Company’: “Blueberry growing for abundant harvest” and Q&A

  • Bonsai Society of WA

    Bonsai - A living Art. Demonstration and Q+A with Bonsai Society of WA members

  • Josh Byrne

    Environmental Scientist and Gardening Australia Presenter: Our Gardens: Creating biodiverse gardens that contribute to the health of the Swan Canning river system. Presentation supported by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the River Guardians program.

  • Darren Seinor

    Landscaper ’Garden Solutions’, Host of 6PR weekend garden talkback: “Best small trees for your backyard and Q&A

  • Q&A Expert Panel

    Q and A expert panel with members of the Horticultural Media Association Australia - Darren Seinor, Andrea Whitely, Lisa Passmore and roving compere John Colwill

  • Gavin Davis

    Owner and developer of ‘Soil Solver®’ soil amendment products: “The components of good soil - the relationship between minerals and organics “and Q&A

  • Andrea Whitely

    ‘Garden Consultant’: Eat your way through your courtyard. Ten tips for vegies and herbs in containers”

  • Eddy Wajon

    WA Wildflower Society: “Native wildflowers in my garden” and Australian plant Q&A

Sunday 14th May

  • Kim Fewster

    ‘WA Honey Pty Ltd’: “All the buzz-looking after your backyard bees”

  • Gavin Davis

    Owner and developer of ‘Soil Solver®’ soil amendment products: “The answer lies in the soil - pests and diseases, hydrophobic conditions, the environment and clay” and Q&A

  • Bonsai Society of WA

    Bonsai - A living Art. Demonstration and Q+A with Bonsai Society of WA members

  • Lisa Passmore

    EO Nursery and Garden Industry: “Gardens for wildlife” and Q&A

  • Mark Tucek

    ‘Tucker Bush’ owner and horticulturalist, “Tucker Bush – edible Australian garden plants” and Q&A

  • Rohan Carboon

    Bushfire safety consultant: “Garden design in bushfire prone areas” and firesafe Q&A

  • Floral Art Demonstration

    Floral art demonstration by Denise Shelbourn from the WA Floral Art Society using fresh foliage and flowers

  • Gavin Davis

    Owner and developer of ‘Soil Solver®’ soil amendment products: “The components of good soil - the relationship between minerals and organics” and Q&A

  • Peg Davies

    Waste and sustainability educator: “Making wicking beds using what you’ve got”

Please note this schedule is subject to change.