Marianne Cannon

Marianne Cannon began studying Horticulture Certificate III at Ryde Tafe in 1995. I don’t know how I managed because I was teaching Television Production full time at North Sydney TAFE too!

I went on to study the Diploma of Horticulture, which I completed with Distinction in 2002. From the time of the Sydney Olympics, I worked as a freelance technical director/technical producer for various TV networks and at Yates Consumer Advice.

In 2006, I was lucky enough to get a contract with Better Homes and Gardens TV for one year, researching the gardening segment with presenter Graham Ross.

I have my own gardening radio show and have been broadcasting as Real World Gardener on radio 2RRR 88.5fm in Sydney, since September 2009. The program is now syndicated to 25 radio stations around Australia via the Community Radio Network.

Working as an Education Officer at the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens for 9 years, I wanted to provide a show with an educational focus. The idea of using segments came about from my broadcast experience and horticultural background.

Real World Gardener is a gardening show with a twist with many segments covering all aspects of gardening and horticulture. Segments include garden design, plant doctor, herbs and spices, permaculture, wildlife in focus, -about Australian birds, growing your own, favourite plants, and gardening tools. All segments are with co-presenters who are representatives in their field of expertise.

I have a large garden that is stuffed full of a huge variety of plants but also includes a veggie garden and a chicken coop with 3 Bantam chickens.

I look forward to leading a workshop on Small Space Gardening and passing on all sorts of interesting gardening information.

Marianne can be found on Instagram @realworldgardener.