Love getting out in the garden? Same! Flowers, fruit, vegetables, natives or even an indoor garden oasis... let us at it! We were super-chuffed to chat to four of our favourite gardeners and for them to share their top tips and specific details about what brings them happiness in their gardens. Plus, they let us in on their fave pair of Merry People boots!

JUNE, FLOWER FARMER 
Tell us about your farm. Pure Maiden Farm is a family-owned cut flower farm near Bendigo. We grow an array of seasonal flowers with a special focus on ranunculus, dahlias and chrysanthemums. What’s your favourite flower? Dahlias. Their variety and beauty always captivate me. Why did you decide to grow flowers? While waiting for my visa in 2018, I was looking for a hobby and fell in love with gardening. A friend posted a stunning chrysanthemum online and I was instantly inspired. I found the Bendigo Chrysanthemum Club, which gave me a few plants. A year later, I sold several bunches of chrysanthemums for Mother’s Day through Facebook and the response was overwhelming. That’s when I saw the opportunity. What’s your best garden achievement? Extending the dahlia growing season to over six months last year. We even had fresh dahlias for Mother’s Day, long after other growers had finished their season. What’s something people don’t know about flowers but should? Flowers are like babies – they need a lot of care and attention. If you want high-quality blooms, you have to nurture them with the right balance of feeding, watering and protection. What do you wear while you’re working in the flower fields? I usually wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sometimes overalls. My go-to footwear are the Merry People Andie ankle boots in ‘ginger’. I also have two pairs of Bobbi boots in green and beetroot, and I wear them daily on the farm. They’re incredibly comfortable and waterproof (yet breathable!) which makes them perfect for all seasons.

@puremaidenfarm

SAM, ARTIST/CERAMICIST/BEEKEEPER 
Tell us about your art. It’s my chance to express my emotions physically in a mindful way. My hands are always fidgeting and it turns out clay is perfect for my fidgety hands… and mind. What are your favourite flowers to put in your vases? Currently, daffodils and lilies of the valley. I love putting purple or yellow irises in my bigger vases. Tell us about your garden. It’s an oasis of succulents and city views. I love weeding or planting little flowers and watching them grow from seeds (unless my cat digs them up!). My favourite flowers to keep growing are marigolds. How did you learn beekeeping? I’ve always loved insects and discovered a passion for keeping bees in my third year of living in Melbourne. I was mentored over a season then helped maintain several apiaries across the inner city. I now have a hive I share with a dear friend in my garden. What’s your favourite green space near you? I love the vastness and hidden ponds scattered around the Fitzroy Gardens and the big trees hugging the paths in Carlton Gardens. What do you wear while you’re working? I’m a sucker for the black Merry People Bobbi boots – simple, easy to clean and I can wear them if I have to dash out to something that isn’t ‘work’ related. When beekeeping, my Bobbi boots come in handy to keep my feet and ankles safe during the heart of summer. They also keep me warm in the cold section of the flower market… brrr.

@thesodafountain

DHANI, FLORIST 
Tell us about your flower business. I founded Florada, a low-waste florist, to try and tackle some of the big environmental issues in the cut flower industry. The business sources and supplies Australian-grown flowers for my customers which are then thoughtfully and sustainably designed in arrangements, reducing impact. What does being a ‘low-waste florist’ mean? Floristry has become a highly polluting industry. To drive positive change in the industry we focus on using seasonal, Australian-grown flowers. We’ve adopted a low-waste design approach to minimise carbon emissions from imports and reduce single-use plastic waste in our practices and packaging. What are your favourite flower farms to visit for your work? Floral by Nature is a chemical-free grower in the Blue Mountains and Jonima in Yanderra grow many of my favourite flowers all year round! What flowers make you happiest? My favourite flowers are fragrant garden roses but the flowers that make me the happiest are poppies! The way their delicate, papery petals unfurl to reveal stunning colour variations, from pastel pinks to glowing reds, fills me with awe and happiness everytime. What do you wear while you’re working? Dressing for all kinds of weather is essential, and on those special days when I need to source flowers directly from the farm I love wearing jeans, a vintage tee and the new Merry People Billie clogs in ‘clay’. I love the natural rubber material. They’re non-slip, durable and comfy enough for a full day on my feet.

@florada_

IRIS, HOBBY GARDENER 
Tell us about your garden. My garden is a bit of a mess to be honest! I try to keep the spaces in ‘zones’, so I have a native patch, several flower beds, a spot for herbs that’s easy to access and some veggie beds. What’s your favourite thing to grow? Dahlias! Ranunculus are not far behind. Both produce the most beautiful flowers. What’s your top gardening tip? Keep a diary. Most people would use a diary to keep track of their to-dos, but I use mine to keep track of what I have done in the garden. What’s your proudest gardening achievement? Growing from seed for the first time. One of the first things I grew from seed were zinnias and it was amazing to witness the process. Do you have any particular dreams for your garden? Yes, I’d love to grow more vegetables! I’d love to grow more of my own food and use it in my cooking and baking. What do you wear while you garden? I never forget sun protection! Otherwise, I like to keep it comfy so I wear a pair of shorts and an old top or jumper, plus of course my Merry Peoples! I love the Bobbi ankle boot in khaki. They’re so comfortable and very durable. I can wear them casually too, so the fact that they’re waterproof means I can just hose them down and they’re looking fresh again.

@iris.mcpherson

These delightful interviews were produced in partnership with our pals at Merry People. Take a peek at the whole fun and colourful footwear range, including their new florist-favourite Andie boot.