Alumna plots successful gardening career

August 2008

Jane Edmanson OAM (BA 1971, DipEd 1972) is a professional gardener, and television and radio presenter who, for 31 years, has encouraged others to explore their own backyards.

Ms Edmanson is an Australian gardening icon. She is a presenter on ABC TV’s long-running Gardening Australia program and is a radio co-host on 3AW’s Jane and Darren’s Big Backyard show. In 2004, she received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to horticulture which acknowledged her commitment to teaching young Australians about the importance of gardening.

“I’m very passionate that people should get off the computer and into the garden. I’m not precious about gardening. I don’t care whether you have a messy garden or a weedy garden or a garden that’s not trendy. As long as you get out into the fresh air,” she said.

After graduating from Monash University, Ms Edmanson completed a TAFE course and entered the gardening profession as the owner of a nursery. In the 1980s she befriended gardening guru Kevin Heinze who, in 1988, persuaded her to take over as host of his popular ABC TV gardening program, Sow What.

Ms Edmanson attended Monash to pursue a career in teaching but her life took her elsewhere. Nevertheless, Monash left her with some fond memories and valuable life skills.

“I went to Monash because I wanted to study somewhere different. Monash was a fresh, young and vibrant place in the late 1960s.

“An Arts degree broadens your interests and is a basis for living. If you’re interested in the world, an Arts degree will set you on a good path,” she said.

Ms Edmanson believes that climate change means gardening will only become more important. “People should create their own garden patch as a way of contributing to cooling the planet. Our world is in a crisis situation but if everyone works to maintain their own little garden, that’ll make a big difference,” she said.

Links:

'Jane's Garden' - Jane Edmanson's website