Next week John B Smith

Welcome back to Season 4, Episode 150 (Part 2)! Following on from our first chat, we’re diving straight back into our conversation with international garden designer Peter Donegan.In the second half of this milestone 150th episode, Peter opens up even further about the realities of designing on the world stage, the grit behind the glamour of major show gardens, and how his approach to landscaping and storytelling has evolved over the years. Whether you're in the trade, a passionate gardener, or just love hearing from people at the top of their craft, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.This episode is proudly sponsored by ECHO Tools. Built for professionals and passionate homeowners alike, ECHO delivers dependable, high-performance outdoor power equipment designed to get the job done right.Make sure you caught Part 1 if you haven't already, and don't forget to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!Connect with Peter DoneganEmail: [email protected] / Socials: @PeterDonegan Website: ⁠⁠⁠doneganlandscaping.com⁠⁠www.echotools.ie or www.echo-tools.co.ukShow Website www.tranquillitydesigns.ieEmail / Inquiries [email protected] the Show: @thepremiergardenshowhttps://linktr.ee/thepremiergardenshow🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts—link in bio / comments!(Haven't heard Part 1 yet? Catch up now before diving in!) https://open.spotify.com/show/2HmoVEtGyXct31XJXlcbvv?si=24bc845bfffd4adb

Welcome back to Season 4, Episode 150 (Part 2)! Following on from our first chat, we’re diving straight back into our conversation with international garden designer Peter Donegan.In the second half of this milestone 150th episode, Peter opens up even further about the realities of designing on the world stage, the grit behind the glamour of major show gardens, and how his approach to landscaping and storytelling has evolved over the years. Whether you're in the trade, a passionate gardener, or just love hearing from people at the top of their craft, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.This episode is proudly sponsored by ECHO Tools. Built for professionals and passionate homeowners alike, ECHO delivers dependable, high-performance outdoor power equipment designed to get the job done right.Make sure you caught Part 1 if you haven't already, and don't forget to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!Connect with Peter DoneganEmail: [email protected] / Socials: @PeterDonegan Website: ⁠⁠doneganlandscaping.com⁠www.echotools.ie or www.echo-tools.co.ukShow Website www.tranquillitydesigns.ieEmail / Inquiries [email protected] the Show: @thepremiergardenshowhttps://linktr.ee/thepremiergardenshow🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts—link in bio / comments!(Haven't heard Part 1 yet? Catch up now before diving in!) https://open.spotify.com/show/2HmoVEtGyXct31XJXlcbvv?si=24bc845bfffd4adb

This episode is brought to you by ECHO Tools for more info go to www.echotools.ieJorge Aragon Jorge Aragón Cano originally trained in Industrial Design Engineering in Mexico before moving to Ireland in 2011. After living in Dublin for over a decade and facing a recent redundancy, he transitioned into turning his passion for spatial design into a full-time venture by launching his own boutique firm, ⁠Jorge Aragón Haus⁠. His signature design ethos frequently leans toward clean, highly functional layouts with a strong mid-century modern flair.Super Garden and "Fáilte Fiesta"Featured in the opening episode of Super Garden 2025, Aragón Cano was tasked with transforming a highly overgrown, weed-filled garden in just three weeks for new homeowners Layla and Dylan (and their dog, Nando). [⁠1⁠, ⁠2⁠]His submission, titled "Fáilte Fiesta" (combining the Irish word for welcome and the Spanish word for party), seamlessly blended Mexican and Irish cultural aesthetics into a vibrant entertainment space. The design achieved widespread attention for its practical, pet-friendly considerations alongside dramatic, contemporary design choices—such as painting boundary fences black to contrast vividly with lush green planting.Operating out of Dublin, his portfolio primarily focuses on space-optimization for urban homes and challenging floor planshttps://www.jorgearagon.haus/

This episode is brought to you by ECHO Tools for more info go to www.echotools.ieJorge Aragon Jorge Aragón Cano originally trained in Industrial Design Engineering in Mexico before moving to Ireland in 2011. After living in Dublin for over a decade and facing a recent redundancy, he transitioned into turning his passion for spatial design into a full-time venture by launching his own boutique firm, Jorge Aragón Haus. His signature design ethos frequently leans toward clean, highly functional layouts with a strong mid-century modern flair.Super Garden and "Fáilte Fiesta"Featured in the opening episode of Super Garden 2025, Aragón Cano was tasked with transforming a highly overgrown, weed-filled garden in just three weeks for new homeowners Layla and Dylan (and their dog, Nando). [1, 2]His submission, titled "Fáilte Fiesta" (combining the Irish word for welcome and the Spanish word for party), seamlessly blended Mexican and Irish cultural aesthetics into a vibrant entertainment space. The design achieved widespread attention for its practical, pet-friendly considerations alongside dramatic, contemporary design choices—such as painting boundary fences black to contrast vividly with lush green planting.Operating out of Dublin, his portfolio primarily focuses on space-optimization for urban homes and challenging floor plans

his episode is brought to you by ECHO Tools go to www.echotools.ie or www.echo-tools.co.uk for more info https://doneganlandscaping.com/⁠Peter Donegan MSGLD⁠ is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning Irish landscape architect and garden designer based in Dublin, Ireland. Established in 2001, his practice specializes in bespoke private gardens alongside select commercial and community public landscapes. He is ranked among the Top 100 Garden Designers in the UK, serves as an international design judge, Mercy Wellbeing Courtyard Garden: Achieved monumental international success by winning the 2025 European final and competing as a finalist in the 2026 World Landscape Awards in Saudi Arabia. It made history as the first secondary school mental health garden to receive this level of globalMelbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS): Won a prestigious Gold Medal in 2023. He followed this up in 2024 with the "A Moment in Time" Veterans Garden, which took home the People's Choice Award and multi-industry accolades (AIH, APLD, APL awards)Television & Media: Well-known across Ireland and the UK as the featured garden designer for RTÉ's DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland (2019–2022) and recognized as one of the UK’s Top 70 TV PresentersDonegan’s work is characterized by unique structural layouts, a deep focus on emotional or mental health narratives, and innovative problem-solving—ranging from large-scale public realms to hyper-creative cantilevered features in tight urban courtyards

This episode is brought to you by ECHO Tools go to www.echotools.ie or www.echo-tools.co.uk for more info https://doneganlandscaping.com/Peter Donegan MSGLD is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning Irish landscape architect and garden designer based in Dublin, Ireland. Established in 2001, his practice specializes in bespoke private gardens alongside select commercial and community public landscapes. He is ranked among the Top 100 Garden Designers in the UK, serves as an international design judge, Mercy Wellbeing Courtyard Garden: Achieved monumental international success by winning the 2025 European final and competing as a finalist in the 2026 World Landscape Awards in Saudi Arabia. It made history as the first secondary school mental health garden to receive this level of globalMelbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS): Won a prestigious Gold Medal in 2023. He followed this up in 2024 with the "A Moment in Time" Veterans Garden, which took home the People's Choice Award and multi-industry accolades (AIH, APLD, APL awards)Television & Media: Well-known across Ireland and the UK as the featured garden designer for RTÉ's DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland (2019–2022) and recognized as one of the UK’s Top 70 TV PresentersDonegan’s work is characterized by unique structural layouts, a deep focus on emotional or mental health narratives, and innovative problem-solving—ranging from large-scale public realms to hyper-creative cantilevered features in tight urban courtyards

Peter Donegan

This episode is brought to you by ECHO Tools www.echotools.ie for more info John B. Smith (often referenced simply as John Smith) is a prominent Irish garden designer, horticulturist, and head gardener. He is widely recognized for his leadership role at one of Ireland's most prestigious public horticultural sites and his regular appearances in Irish gardening mediaSmith has over 30 years of experience in the professional gardening and landscaping sector. [⁠1⁠]Early Career: He began gardening at a young age with his father before completing a golf course apprenticeship. He spent 10 years working at Swords Golf Course in North County Dublin. [⁠1⁠]Landscaping & Consultancy: He expanded his commercial experience at SAP Landscapes managing crews, and later served as a consultant for Westmeath County Council at the historic Belvedere House and Gardens around 2009. [⁠1⁠]Current Position: He serves as the Head Gardener at the Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens in County Kildare. In this role, he manages the historic, highly intricate living collections and frequently hosts public masterclasses on seasonal garden design, container planting, and vegetable cultivation. [⁠1⁠, ⁠2⁠]The Premier Garden Show: He is featured as a keynote guest on the October 2026 episodes of ⁠The Premier Garden Show⁠, discussing his lifelong gardening journey and design philosophies. [⁠1⁠]Master My Garden Podcast: He has broken down his approach to balancing historical preservation with modern landscape techniques on popular broadcasts like the Master My Garden Podcast. [⁠1⁠]Media & Public AppearancesAs a respected figure in the Irish horticultural community, Smith frequently shares his journey and expert advice across various media platforms:

This episode is brought to you by ECHO Tools www.echotools.ie for more info John B. Smith (often referenced simply as John Smith) is a prominent Irish garden designer, horticulturist, and head gardener. He is widely recognized for his leadership role at one of Ireland's most prestigious public horticultural sites and his regular appearances in Irish gardening mediaSmith has over 30 years of experience in the professional gardening and landscaping sector. [1]Early Career: He began gardening at a young age with his father before completing a golf course apprenticeship. He spent 10 years working at Swords Golf Course in North County Dublin. [1]Landscaping & Consultancy: He expanded his commercial experience at SAP Landscapes managing crews, and later served as a consultant for Westmeath County Council at the historic Belvedere House and Gardens around 2009. [1]Current Position: He serves as the Head Gardener at the Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens in County Kildare. In this role, he manages the historic, highly intricate living collections and frequently hosts public masterclasses on seasonal garden design, container planting, and vegetable cultivation. [1, 2]The Premier Garden Show: He is featured as a keynote guest on the October 2026 episodes of The Premier Garden Show, discussing his lifelong gardening journey and design philosophies. [1]Master My Garden Podcast: He has broken down his approach to balancing historical preservation with modern landscape techniques on popular broadcasts like the Master My Garden Podcast. [1]Media & Public AppearancesAs a respected figure in the Irish horticultural community, Smith frequently shares his journey and expert advice across various media platforms:

Next I talk with John B Smith garden designer and horticulturist as he tells us his gardening journey