Mitch Theissen // The Agrarian Kitchen, Compost, Soil Health, Japanese Salad Turnip

About this episode

Mitch Theissen discusses his role as Head Gardener at the Agrarian Kitchen and shares insights on compost, soil health, and Japanese salad turnips.

Mitch Theissen has the enviable role of Head Gardener at the award winning Agrarian Kitchen in New Norfolk, just outside of Hobart. Having grown up in the Huon Valley, born into a long line of apple farmers, Mitch started his career in the kitchen, first in Hobart, then Sydney, before spending time in Japan. It was here that his thoughts returned to agriculture and produce, and upon returning to Australia he sought out the next phase of his career, landing this dream gig a few years ago and being pivotal in what it looks like, and how it operates, today. Mitch lives, works and gardens with his partner, and young family on the land of the wulawali people in New Norfolk, in lutruwita/Tasmania's Derwent Valley. Before we get to that, Emily and Maddie are (as well as talking over the top of each other -- sorry about that --) talking about radishes. Yep, that's about it. We also talk about Compost Soil Salad spinners (lol, yes) And maybe you need to rush out to buy some Japanese Salad Turnip Seeds. IYIYK Mitch is recommending Eliot Coleman's New Organic Gardener.

People in this episode

Hosts: Madeleine Gasparinatos, Emily Allen

Guest: Mitch Theissen

Topics covered

• gardening
• compost
• soil health
• Japanese salad turnip
• agriculture
• family gardening

Keywords

• gardening
• compost
• soil health
• Japanese salad turnip
• Eliot Coleman
• Agrarian Kitchen
• Hobart
• Tasmania

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Agrarian Kitchen

Products: Japanese Salad Turnip Seeds

Books & works: New Organic Gardener

Places: New Norfolk, Hobart, Huon Valley, Japan, lutruwali, Tasmania

More episodes of Avant Gardeners

• Baklava Old Fashioned, Dehydrator Season and We Answer Your Questions! · April 28, 2026 · 31 min
• Rubie Gallagher // Gardening with a Disability, Starting a Micro Flower Farm, Dahlia Cuttings, Running Away From Home · April 21, 2026 · 44 min
• A Hospital Stay, Writing Lists & South Sydney's Jacaranda History · April 14, 2026 · 42 min
• Jac Semmler // Flower Power, Pivoting to Horticulture, Super Bloom, Writing Books, Poppy Hacks · March 24, 2026 · 53 min
• Op Shops, Toilet Paper & Plums Galore · March 17, 2026 · 36 min
• Steven Wells // Therapeutic Gardening, Downsizing, Churchill Fellowship, Gardener Folk · March 10, 2026 · 47 min