Growing Dreams, One Seed at a Time
There's something different about GGG - it might be the all consuming obsession with gardens, or it could be the way we connect with our clients... read on and you can decide for yourself.
Our story
Good Grove Gardens was founded in 2023, in an effort to offer Swan Hill & surrounds specialised Garden Services. Specialised to us means more than just mowing and weeding - it is pruning with care, identifying and treating pests and diseases and maintaining your garden at appropriate times of the year for the best results.
Local Horticulturalist Natalie Von Wirtz-Matthews has grown up around all things green - with family members being key influences in the garden. It wasn’t a farming background, but more of urban green spaces and modest backyard gardens. Why Horticulture? Well for Nat, it’s the cool shade sitting under a tree, the flowers that greet you in the driveway, the creative sculpture that someone made and most of all the immense amount of life - creatures big and small that feel safe enough to say hello. You are never alone in the garden.
There are many things that make Natalie happy, she loves her Dogs, her Family and Compost - it is her mission to educate as many people as possible about making compost and how we can use it in our gardens, and reduce food waste at the same time.
We are a small team, it's a bit of a girls only vibe - which we love because it enables us to stay connected with our clients and maintain the down to earth approach when it comes to our passion.
When working with Good Grove Gardens, you will be welcomed with open ears. Yes ears, we hear you - your frustrations with the garden, the overwhelm! Just know that we are here to help YOU achieve the garden of YOUR dreams. So whether you just need a consult - someone to talk to and bounce ideas off, a full garden design or simply some garden TLC - We are here for you.
Natalie Von Wirtz-Matthews
Founder & Horticulturalist
With an immense passion for the gardens and a keen eye for design, Natalie is person you call when feeling overwhelmed and at a loss with your garden. No problem is too big or small, she comes with no judgement and practical solutions tailored to you.
Her super power is native gardens and the ability to recycle almost anything.
Demi Charnock
Gardener & 2IC
Demi was made for the great outdoors - her passion has lead her to the garden and all things living. She is the calm to Natalie's grand ideas, and the quiet achiever when it comes to all things garden maintenance.
Her super power is the ability to finesse the finer details - no matter how big the day has been.
Josie Steel
Gardener & Apprentice Horticulturalist
Josie is not your average 18 year old - she is incredibly connected to the outback and has a real passion for native plants and its animals.
Her super power is in the nursery realm, tending to plants, potting up and re-organising after a chaotic month.
More about the founder
Natalie Von Wirtz-Matthews
Current Favourite Plant & Why?
Always a hard question to answer - But at the moment I love Callistemon ‘Sweet Burst’ - Its a more compact variety with soft pink, gold tipped flowers. The juvenile foliage has gorgeous rusty tones that give you great value in the garden.
What is your favourite Job to do at work?
Autumn/Winter Pruning - I love getting my hands on the herbaceous plants and revealing the true structure of a garden in its dormancy.
What is your least favourite job to do at work?
Trim a large hedge by myself - it's a job far more enjoyable with a partner.
What’s one thing on your bucket list?
Purchase a round the world ticket and visit gardens & train Jiu Jitsu at each location. Japan is at the top of the list.
What’s one thing that surprised you about your job?
There are some insane hidden Gems in the outback.
What kind of music do you like?
Having a bit of a Paramore moment with some Zac Bryan & Noah Kahan sprinkled in.
What’s the best place you’ve traveled to?
So far, Vietnam has been a highlight.
What’s your favorite season?
AUTUMN - Hands down.
What is your favourite Garden style?
Native Hybrids with an artsy flair. A garden that looks like it belongs to its surroundings, but isn't afraid of an impulse buy or a feature piece made out of some junk. Sorry if this only makes sense in my head.
What is your favorite gardening tool?
So many that deserve recognition - But the Hori Hori Knife has been a weeding warrior.
What is the most memorable plant scent that you have experienced?
I love many - but my earliest memory is from a huge Corymbia citriodora/Lemon Scented Gum - located in Birchip VIC, you just can't forget that very Australian smell.
Describe the Murray Mallee in 3 words?
Calm, Bronzed & Tough
Demi Charnock
Team Member
Current Favourite Plant & Why?
I’m pretty easily pleased when it comes to the plant world! I love most plants, especially anything that flowers or has beautiful foliage. My wonderful neighbour, Jeannie, recently introduced me to the Flame Lily, and it is pretty beautiful! Its flowers are almost inside out, and change with age, and the colour is gorgeous! So that’s my new favourite this week!
What is your favourite Job to do at work?
I love the big transformations we get to do! Whether it’s a new garden design - bringing the clients vision to life, or renovating an overgrown hedge or fernery, being able to see the difference, the before and afters, is something I find extremely satisfying and rewarding! I also appreciate the variety of gardens that we get to see and enjoy.
What is your least favourite job to do at work?
Honestly, there’s not much that comes to mind with this question! I guess if I really had to pick, it would be battling stubborn weeds haha! Kikuyu grass that’s grown under weed mat or in garden beds, or my dreaded enemy, onion weed (it’s everywhere in my garden)!
What’s one thing on your bucket list?
I love travelling, adventuring and being in nature, so that’s something that is always at the top of my bucket list. Experiencing different environments and cultures is something I’ve always loved and found very fulfilling for the soul. There’s also something very grounding about disconnecting and exploring nature to me, so I try to make sure I do it when I can!
What’s one thing that surprised you about your job?
The amount of gorgeous gardens that are almost hidden around our rural areas! We are so lucky to spend time at some beautiful out of town farms with the most beautiful gardens.
What kind of music do you like?
I’m a country fan! So I could listen to anything country all day (sorry Nat), but in saying that, there’s not many genres I don’t enjoy listening to.
What’s the best place you’ve traveled to?
I’ve been pretty lucky to explore some beautiful places already, and I’ve loved every single one for different reasons. I really enjoyed the North Island of New Zealand! I can’t wait to go back one day to do the South Island. I also loved Sardinia, Italy, it’s not well known which is surprising because it is something to witness - It’s incredibly beautiful with stunning blue seas for some of the best snorkeling.
What’s your favorite season?
I don’t actually have a favourite season, I enjoy them all for different reasons!
What is your favourite Garden style?
Believe it or not… I don’t have a favourite (shock horror)! Haha
I love a lot of different styles and I like when the garden complements the home or area it’s located. I do have a special place for a beautiful country cottage style garden, much like the one I grew up around at my Nan and Pop’s place.
What is your favorite gardening tool?
The hori hori knife is a must have. I was blown away when Nat introduced me to them - It’s so versatile!
What is the most memorable plant scent that you have experienced?
The classic but beautiful smell of a rose. That’s probably the most memorable to me because they remind me of my grandmother’s place, and nothing beats stopping to smell the roses.
Describe the Murray Mallee in 3 words?
Vast, diverse and unique.
Josie Steel
Team Member
Current Favourite Plant & Why?
I would say Strawflowers, they are bright and very colourful. They are also great to dry and keep in a vase to brighten up a room. Anything bright and colourful is high on my list.
What is your favourite Job to do at work?
Planting or repotting plants is my top favourite, I find it very therapeutic and I love coming back in a few months time and seeing how the plant has developed.
What is your least favourite job to do at work?
I would say hedge trimming would be my least favourite. It's not my strongest skill and requires a lot of attention to detail which can sometimes trigger my OCD.
What’s one thing on your bucket list?
​One thing on my bucket list is to travel around the Northern Territory with a renovated van alongside my dog.
What’s one thing that surprised you about your job?
​I was surprised about how many gardens thrive in our area. I didn't realise the different amount of non - native plants that thrive in our climates and thrive in our different soil conditions.
What kind of music do you like?
I'm very keen on Zach Bryan, Kings of Leon, Johnny Cash alongside U2 and I have recently become addicted to an artist known as Layup.
What’s the best place you’ve traveled to?
​I haven't had many chances to travel yet, so far my favourite place is Coffs Harbour. I have lots of family in that area. Nothing beats a good beach alongside National Parks to explore!
What’s your favorite season?
I couldn't pick just one! I'm obsessed with spring when everything flowers and veggie gardening can begin! I also love Summer, swimming weather is a favourite.
What is your favourite Garden style?
My favourite style is definitely a cottage style, anything rustic and homey. I also love a garden full of natives and colour.
What is your favorite gardening tool?
I love using our electric secateurs ( aka Barry ). They can cut through almost anything and get the job done.
What is the most memorable plant scent that you have experienced?
​Lavender, I'm obsessed with its strong scent. I also love it as an essential oil in a diffuser and even a dried bunch inside is beautiful.
Describe the Murray Mallee in 3 words?
Beautiful, unique , diverse