Melanie Walker's Grounded

Going away for the holidays? Or staying home for the season? Whichever it is, make sure your garden is in tip-top shape, whether you’re expecting guests or needing it to look after itself for a while. Cary Goodwin and Melanie discuss the latest greatest ideas from lifeisagarden.co.za, including how to become a Water Warrior! Mel's Treasures on Facebook

Every seed has a story. What began as a seed of an idea turned into a passion for growing from seed for Organic Gardening Goddess Linda Galvad. In this edition of Grounded, Linda and Melanie Walker (co-conspirators on The Home Channel's Gardening 101) get to grips with what makes a seed heirloom, heritage and organic, why you shouldn't bring seeds with you from other countries, what you should be growing in your backyard this month as we head into the cold of winter in SA, and how to improve your health and well-being by being, well... a seedsmith! Mel's Treasures on Facebook

Sometimes cookery books aren't just about cooking, they're about a whole lot more; the ingredients and where they come from, the ancestors who hold the lore surrounding them, preserving wild foods (in nature, not just in jam jars), and the heritage of indigenous ingredients. It's about the stories that come with the 'lekkerness', the 'mnandi-ness' of the people and their culinary culture. Gregory Henderson is more than just a chef, he's been a global winner of the LUX Awards Most Sustainable Dining Experience and is an ardent promoter not only of living off the land but ensuring that our unique South African tales about food aren't lost in the mists of time. Gregory's books showcase these proudly South African values and they're on the menu for discussion in this tasty episode. Mel's Treasures on Facebook

.. and an (E)scape from the pressures of Life Once again proving that Succulents Don't Suck, Cary Goodwin of Life is a Garden chats to Melanie about the wondrous variety of aloes and echeveria that are available these days, along with how to deal with the descent into the winter months in the garden. Oh, and about fire-scaping! Mel's Treasures on Facebook

Whether you're new to the joys of gardening or not, there's always something new to be learned. It's time to find out more about the not-difficult art of growing bulbs on Grounded with the man who has made it his life, Charles Barnhoorn of Hadeco Bulbs. He demystifies what some see as the magic art of getting these hidden treasures to bloom while giving solid information on how to get the best out of them. Mel's Treasures on Facebook

We'd Like Our Roses to See You! Cary Goodwin (Spokesperson - Life is a Garden; Headgirl Colourful Group & Peebles Plants) joins Melanie today take a look at what's hot on the gardening scene in South Africa at the moment, and making the pages of the Life is a Garden website. Want to know more about carnivorous plants, wetlands, growing your own, or what you should be doing in your gardening space, then this month's podcast is for you. Join the Growing trend - we look forward to sharing with you. Mel's Treasures on Facebook

Find out what You should be doing this Season! Gardening is about water - most of it in the form of perspiration! Whether you have too much, or too little, water is the main topic when it comes to getting gardens to grow properly. Cary Goodwin, and the wonderful helpers at Life is a Garden, are there to help you on your way to becoming a useful gardener, with all their hints and tips on how to get it right. Whether you love airplants, succulents, colour or veggies, you'll get the best advice on how to make your garden grow, and keep you on point with the latest trends in South African backyards. Mel's Treasures on Facebook

“Sometimes I think that the point of birdwatching is not the actual seeing of the birds, but the cultivation of patience. Of course, each time we set out, there's a certain amount of expectation we'll see something, maybe even a species we've never seen before, and that it will fill us with light. But even if we don't see anything remarkable - and sometimes that happens - we come home filled with light anyway.” ― Lynn Thomson, Birding with Yeats: A Mother's Memoir And that's what it's about! Whether you be brand new to the birdwatching game, or a long-time, avid spotter, as one writer has it - “Birds will give you a window, if you allow them. They will show you secrets from another world– fresh vision that, though it is avian, can accompany you home and alter your life. They will do this for you even if you don't know their names– though such knowing is a thoughtful gesture. ” We find out more about Adam Riley's new book, commissioned by Helm Wildlife Guides, on Birds of South Africa, the portable concise must-have that will give you an entry into 'twitching', or a quick reference if you're travelling light. And more about how birds are so essential to not only the world at large but to the space surrounding you. Mel's Treasures on Facebook

June tips from Life in a Garden Our Guest: Cary Goodwin (PR - Life is a Garden; Head Girl at Colourful Group) Winter has come - but that's no reason not to get out and get warm with some gardening chores. Keeping yourself and your plants well covered is key, and even if you're an indoor gardener, Cary Goodwin gives you all of Life is a Garden's tips on getting your luscious green lovelies looking even more fabulash! And want to get creative for Fathers' Day? Look no further - visit https://lifeisagarden.co.za Life is a Garden Website · Mel's Treasures on Facebook

Of Earth Hour and the Coming of Autumn The Earth is slightly turning off its axis as we begin the descent from the long heady golden days of summer into the changing of colour and season. So what should you be doing in your garden to prepare it for the winter months? Cary Goodwin gives us the tips you'll need for our version of the 4 P's - planning, preparation, patience and plenty of it! We give you the lowdown on what Earth Hour really means, and how you can switch yourself on while switching power off. Go green - and get planning where you can plant your green veggies out. Life is a Garden Website · Mel's Treasures on Facebook

Cary Goodwin (Life is a Garden | Spokesperson and Colourful Group | Head Girl) If you want to know how to grow clivias from seed, what the best indoor plants are to have that you and your kids can't kill, how to make paint from flowers, what plants are looking great at this time of the year, and how to deal with too much - or too little - water, then look no further. Cary Goodwin and Melanie Walker let you know what's up on the Life is a Garden website this month - the place to find out from the experts just how to grow your way to gardening glory! Life is a Garden Website · Mel's Treasures on Facebook

In a departure from our usual conversations on Grounded, Melanie Walker finds out from David Barritt, Executive Director of two international charities for animals, about what is going on in Africa when it comes to our protected species - and those that are more commonplace. Whether it be pangolins, rhinos, cats and dogs or donkeys, YOU can make a difference. If you love animals, this needs to be listened to. Animal Survival · Network for Animals · Connect with David · Mel's Treasures on Facebook

The Green Industry has been one that has seen a fair amount of growth over the last couple of years - even during Covid and lockdowns. Probably because of them. Paul Vonk (Commercial Manager Mayfords Seeds/President -SANA) and Melanie explore the green horizons, talking bulbs, seeds, what the green industry is doing for you, and why you should get growing! Connect with Paul · SANA - SA Nursery Association Website · Mel's Treasures on Facebook

Well - Bats may seem like that to rats, but we think so too! Guest: Jonathan Haw (Director, EcoSolutions) “In their previous lives, poets were bats, and thinkers were owls.” ― Michael Bassey Johnson, Song of a Nature Lover And that's what this episode of Grounded is all about - the kings and princes of the night skies, Bats and Owls. Jonathan Haw, director of Ecosolutions, lets us in on the mythology surrounding our nocturnal hunters, how to move them if you don't want bats in your belfry, and how to encourage them to come and keep your property clear of rats and Mozzies! EcoSolutions Website · Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn · Mel's Treasures on Facebook

Is the best season of the year Spring? Guest: Cary Goodwin (Spokesperson Life is a Garden, Head Garden Girl at Colourful Group) From how to create the garden of your dreams, select the best plants, attract birds to your backyard and to set up a tiny watergarden - all the info you need you can get from Cary Goodwin and Melanie Walker of Life is a Garden! When's your favourite season?? Mel's Treasures on Facebook

How to be a useful member of the Human Race. Donna-Mari Noble (Communications Manager, MPact) National Recycling Day happened on the 17th September this year in South Africa - did you do your bit to help lessen your load on the planet? Donna-Mari Noble of MPact recycling gives us the latest on how South Africa is faring when it comes to recycling - and it’s not all bad news! We also delve into what happens to things that could be recycled aren’t, where your waste goes, and how you can get you - and importantly, your child - involved in making a difference and being a ‘cleaner’ human becoming. Mpact Website · Mel's Treasures on Facebook

Bring down your impact on our earth Winnie McHenry (Originator/Owner Upcycle) Like most of the rest of the World, South Africa is battling with pollution and lack of landfill space. But slowly, some people are managing to change this around, while Upskilling people who have been battling to find work. UpCycle Winnie McHenry let's us in on how's she's helping corporates to be more environmentally aware, about how you can help others to become more independent so they can go on to Upskill others, and what you can do to become a more 'user-friendly' human becoming. Upcycle Website · Mel's Treasures on Facebook

Must be in this cold! Cary Goodwin (Spokesperson for Life is a Garden, head Supergirl at Peebles and Colourful Group) Winter. Sends shivers down the spine. In more ways than one. But spring ain’t that far away, so Cary Goodwin reckons it’s time to start getting your garden sorted with a blast of colour from all the wonderful members of the ‘daisy’ family. And how to get the best hedges going to try and keep them (and your neighbours) contained. There’s also a great idea for honouring the women in your life, as we reckon we hold the earth in our hands! Life is a Garden Website · Mel's Treasures on Facebook

Do Something ProActive - With Earth Probiotic If you're worried about the state of our planet, then find out about 52 Easy Things to Do to make your impact on the earth negligible. Gavin Heron of Earth Probiotic talks us through bokashi, recycling, packaging, compostables vs biodegradables, and how companies are getting on board. Connect with Gavin on LinkedIn · Earth Probiotic Website · Mel's Treasures on Facebook

Linda Galvad - Sought After Seedlings Planting thoughts on how to help your brain and body Our body consists of two 'brains' - the one we think with, and the one we feel with. The Gut. To get the best out of what you eat, and how you feed your brain(s), Linda Galvad of Sought After Seedlings tells us of her journey from psychology to growing 'brain food' naturally. Follow Sought After Seedlings on Facebook · Mel's Treasures on Facebook