A Bonsai Side Quest

A Bonsai Side Quest

TreeMakers & Montane Bonsai

Episodes 46
Avg. Duration 1h 17m
Activity Sporadic
Apple Rating 5.0 (5)
Since Mar 2024
Latest Episode Mar 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
66%
Hosting
feed.podbean.com

About This Podcast

Hugh R. Grant of TreeMakers Design and Jarryd Bailey of Montane Bonsai have long been best friends, brought together by a shared passion for bonsai and the wilderness, AKA the bush. With a lens of self-humor, the two reflect on Australian bonsai and what it means to be bonsai professionals… sorta.

Explore Statistics

Recent Episodes

46. Professional Procrastination is Patience

Mar 09, 2026 1h 33m

After another long gap between episodes, Hugh and Jarryd sit down for a much-needed catch-up. They talk about Jarryd’s studio build-out, Hugh’s ongoing garden excavation, recent gallery events and…

45. The Not Gross Grose Valley

Dec 29, 2025 43m

In this outdoor, in-the-wild recording of A Bonsai Side Quest, Hugh and Jarryd come to you perched from a sandstone outcrop in the Blue Mountains, with beer cans in hand. They discuss the views and…

44. Hooned it up the Mountains in Copper Foil Hats

Nov 13, 2025 1h 12m

For this episode, Jarryd visits Hugh at Tree Makers Bonsai Studio in the Blue Mountains after completing some BSA events in Sydney. They catch up on their activities of the past month and discuss…

43. Where the Hell Have we Been

Oct 10, 2025 1h 14m

After a long hiatus, we return and apologise for our absence!   Winter has kept Hugh and Jarryd busy behind the scenes: learning, refining, and evolving as their practices and businesses…

42. Growing in Our Own Repotting Filth

Jul 16, 2025 1h 21m

In this episode, Hugh and Jarryd share their upcoming repotting season anticipation, preparation work, and woes from mistakes past. They dig into the nitty-gritty of soil substrates, chopsticks,…

41. Trees That Have Soul

Jul 01, 2025 1h 45m

Hugh is back from a client trip 'across the ditch', making trees in some of New Zealand’s top bonsai garages, and Jarryd is deep in proud dad bonsai mode, with students studying at his garden. In…

40. Top 20 Natives Finale: the Hottest Specimens of Australia

Jun 15, 2025 1h 48m

In this episode, Jarryd and Hugh finally accomplish the long-awaited finale of the top 20 Australian native species for bonsai. Sample side quests include: life updates, snow, and hot tips on…

39. Recap on the AABC: All About Big Convos

May 27, 2025 1h 47m

This week on A Bonsai Side-Quest, Hugh and Jarryd battle the sniffles and post-convention burnout as they hunker down at home, firewood chopped and fireplaces burning in the changing season. Still…

38. The Gondwana Project with Harry Lush

May 19, 2025 41m

In this episode of A Bonsai Side-Quest, Jarryd and Hugh welcome Harry Lush—a passionate advocate for Australian native species and a dedicated bonsai enthusiast. Together, the guys all take a deep…

37. Australia's Top 20 Native Species - Part 4 & Still Going ...

May 12, 2025 59m

In continuation of the much-loved and never-ending series of "Australia's Top 20 Native Species" the boys come back to cover all of 2 epic species this round. Of course, they start with a delightful…

36. Solid Stomps - Returning from our Honeymoon

May 03, 2025 1h 7m

They're back! After some time off the radar, the guys return with big news and bigger stories. Hugh tied the knot, and not long after, he and Jarryd disappeared off the grid for a private honeymoon…

35. Australia’s Top 20 Natives - Part 3

Apr 06, 2025 1h 23m

In this continuation of Australia’s top 20 natives for bonsai discussion, the guys only manage to cover 3 more (with a minimum of 5 side-quest species features)... Jarryd’s picks: Huon pine, Woolly…

34. Australia's Top 20 Greatest Natives Hits Continued

Mar 26, 2025 1h 46m

In this episode, the guys spinulosa’d around, only getting to 5 more out of the top 20’s greatest hits of native species with many informational species side-quests. In continuation of Jarryd and…

33. Australia's Top 20 - But Only 7 of Them

Mar 16, 2025 1h 39m

In this special episode of A Bonsai Side Quest, Hugh and Jarryd share their top 10 local native species for bonsai with plentiful insight of their experiences working with each. Of course, many…

32. Two Steps forward, then Seven Steps Forward.

Mar 09, 2025 51m

Looking at the onset of the autumn season, Jarryd and Hugh share their grievances of a hot summer and heat exhausted trees as well as their aspirations for styling as the heat reduces. Both are keen…

31. Trees that are Loved to Death

Mar 03, 2025 46m

In the peaking heat of summer, the guys whinge about hot winds, thirsty trees, and the need for tie downs and shade structures. Jarryd updates us on the fate of the previously discussed ancient Huon…

30. If a Tree Burns in a Forest, Can You Hear it?

Feb 16, 2025 1h 5m

While not wholly sure of the outcome of the Tassie wildfires, Jarryd and Hugh mourn for the potential loss of a deeply significant Huon pine in the Hammond River Grove. A tree they once visited on a…

29. Garden Bedrocks Linked to Hell

Feb 16, 2025 1h

As gardens evolve, the guys hash out continued earthworks and landscaping desires in their respective spaces to offer optimal tree viewing in their landscapes. As always, Hugh and Jarryd first catch…

28. A Month Late to New Year’s

Feb 02, 2025 1h 4m

A much-delayed New Year's episode with Hugh and Jarryd covers their intentions, aspirations, and focus for the coming year (which we are now 1/12 into). Jarryd shares recent garden hardscaping…

27. My Hardiness is Temperate and Mild

Jan 05, 2025 1h 32m

In this episode, the guys dig into the unique world of Australian plant hardiness zones; they discuss the layout of Australian climatic zones in comparison to the northern hemisphere. This is…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does A Bonsai Side Quest have?

A Bonsai Side Quest has published 46 episodes since March 2024, covering topics in Arts, Visual Arts.

Is A Bonsai Side Quest still active?

A Bonsai Side Quest is currently sporadic with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 1h 17m.

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