About Mac and Horticulture by Mac
I am a tertiary-qualified horticulturalist and community development worker based in Crookwell, New South Wales. My focus is on nurturing healthy soils, encouraging biodiversity, and creating thoughtful outdoor spaces where everyone can feel connected to nature. Using a garden as a gym and treating food as medicine I have been able to reduce my own chronic pain, increase my mobility and extend my life expectancy.
All of the images and plants on this website were produced and grown by Mac.
A gentle, thoughtful approach to garden care
I consider myself a garden caretaker rather than a lawn mower. When visiting your property, I take the time to walk through the grounds, observe existing plantings, track sunlight patterns, and test soil biology and pH. Working with natural, chemical-free permaculture methods, my goal is to help beneficial insects, native birds, and thriving plants bring balance back to your backyard.
Accessible and sensory design informed by lived experience
As an able-bodied disabled man living with chronic arthritis and a dodgy spine, I understand accessibility firsthand. True inclusion goes beyond wheelchair pathways—it is about how we bend, reach, move, smell and touch within our surroundings. I design accessible and sensory gardens that engage touch, fragrance, and taste, ensuring that the sheer joy of growing can be experienced comfortably by everybody.
Empowering our community through good food and healthy soil
My background in community development with marginalised groups taught me the vital connection between wholesome, unprocessed food and both mental and physical wellbeing. Through practical guidance and small group workshops, I share accessible pruning techniques, soil regeneration methods, and organic growing practices to help locals nurture their own sustainable food systems.
"Mac's visit transformed the way we view our garden. His detailed soil analysis and gentle, chemical-free advice gave us the confidence to grow healthy produce and create a peaceful haven for native birds."
Local property owner, Southern Tablelands