In our very first episode, host Paul West is joined by permaculture gardener, educator, and tomato-loving legend Hannah Moloney. Hannah takes us on a deep dive into the wonderfully complex (and joyfully chaotic) world of growing tomatoes at home. From choosing seeds to building microclimates and preserving your harvest, Hannah shares decades of hands-on wisdom

Whether you're a first-time grower or seasoned gardener, this episode is packed with tips, hacks, and inspiration to help you grow better tomatoes — with less stress and more joy.

• The importance of seed diversity and how to access heirlooms
  
  

• Choosing between determinate vs. indeterminate tomato varieties
  
  

• The lowdown on heirloom vs. hybrid seeds (and busting myths about GMOs)
  
  

• Hannah’s go-to DIY seed-raising mix (including regional tweaks)
  
  

• How to build microclimates: from sunny kitchen benches to DIY cold frames and greenhouses
  
  

• The trench planting technique that will change your tomato game forever
  
  

• Fertilising tips: when, how, and how much
  
  

• A practical, no-fuss approach to trellising tomatoes
  
  

• Dealing with pests, blossom end rot, and the dreaded fruit fly
  
  

• How to harvest, ripen, and preserve your crop (even the green ones!)
  
  

• Seed saving 101 — and the funky trick involving paper towels
  
  

• “There’s about 100 right ways to grow a tomato — find the one that works for you.”
  
  

• “Lay them down, not deep! Trench planting in the topsoil layer = more roots, better plants.”
  
  

• “Be ruthless with seedlings. If they’re floppy or pale, let them go.”
  
  

• “Good soil and a biodiverse garden are your best defense against pests.”
  
  

• “Preserve your harvest — future-you will thank you in the depths of winter.”
  
  

• DIY greenhouse ideas using salvaged windows and bricks
  
  

• Seed saving using fermentation method
  
  

• Favourite heirloom: the elusive ‘George’ tomato from Tassie
  
  

• Liquid feeds: worm juice, seaweed, weed teas
  
  

• Wicking beds & warm-climate mulch tips
  
  

• Garden folklore: eggs in the planting hole and tomatoes that grow sideways!
  
  

• Fresh sawdust? Only if it's aged — fresh can suck nutrients and suppress growth.
  
  

• Best potting-up mix? Boost compost and add seaweed or worm juice once true leaves appear.
  
  

• Wicking beds? Brilliant for dry regions — just match bed depth to tomato type.
  
  

• Fruit fly? Healthy plants + netting + good garden hygiene.
  
  

• Cockatoos? Netting, dog patrol, and “cosh” covers.
  
  

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Hannah Moloney is a permaculture designer, educator, and author based in nipaluna/Hobart. She’s the founder of Good Life Permaculture, a passionate advocate for climate-positive gardening, and a familiar face from ABC TV’s Gardening Australia.

📚 Learn more at www.goodlifepermaculture.com.au

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