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© 2023 Talking Heads - a Gardening Podcast
Description
Follow head gardeners Saul Walker and Lucy Chamberlain as they reveal exactly what it’s like to be professional horticulturists leading busy teams on large, private estates. Lucy and Saul have a decade of Head Gardening experience and it soon became clear to them both that life as a Head Gardener can be incredibly diverse, occasionally challenging and hugely rewarding and so they regularly discuss horticultural topics close to their hearts and give you an insight into their lives as gardeners. If you wish to support the podcast you can via our BuyMeACoffee page - just click the link at the end of the podcast description or the donate button found at the top right of this page.
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Autumn signals the slow descent into slumber for another year - but not before the fireworks of the late flowering perennials, exotics and bulbs, the harvest of the last of the beautiful summer veg and finally the firework bank of the tree's as they turn there annual colours of orange, reds and yellows. Its time to switch up the usual gardening to get on with some bigger jobs and also dust off the longer trousers, thermals and the rain coat as moisture levels increase and the temperatures go down. Autumn is always a time for both reflection and planning as the previous growing season and next collide in the Head Gardeners mind - so join Lucy and Saul every week as they bring you more tales from their gardening lives!Saul is in full recovery, and returning to Stonelands for a full weeks gardening was just the tonic - and with the frigid and dry days of winter finally here it means we can get stuck into some 'proper' gardening. Lucy has a lovely listeners question about pruning Witch-hazel, which gets the gardening pair thinking about winter flowers, and she also relives here Garden Media Guild Award experience where the great and good meet to celebrate their achievements in the world of Gardening in the press, podcasts and photography.Twitter links:Saul @GardeningSaulInstagram Links:Lucy headgardenerlcIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
Autumn signals the slow descent into slumber for another year - but not before the fireworks of the late flowering perennials, exotics and bulbs, the harvest of the last of the beautiful summer veg and finally the firework bank of the tree's as they turn there annual colours of orange, reds and yellows. Its time to switch up the usual gardening to get on with some bigger jobs and also dust off the longer trousers, thermals and the rain coat as moisture levels increase and the temperatures go down. Autumn is always a time for both reflection and planning as the previous growing season and next collide in the Head Gardeners mind - so join Lucy and Saul every week as they bring you more tales from their gardening lives!With rainfall and storms still dominating the news, Lucy and Saul open this episode with a look at the monthly rainfall for (usually) dry Essex. There are also listener questions on pelargonium overwintering and green manure management, along with a little insight into the workings of RHS committees. The duo also look at jobs for early winter, as Lucy delves into her 'Donyland Diaries' (Saul is hastily finding a suitable jingle...). Leaf gathering, bulb planting and hardy veg sowing are just a few of the tasks that she and her team were completing.Twitter links:Saul @GardeningSaulInstagram Links:Lucy headgardenerlcIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
Autumn signals the slow descent into slumber for another year - but not before the fireworks of the late flowering perennials, exotics and bulbs, the harvest of the last of the beautiful summer veg and finally the firework bank of the tree's as they turn there annual colours of orange, reds and yellows. Its time to switch up the usual gardening to get on with some bigger jobs and also dust off the longer trousers, thermals and the rain coat as moisture levels increase and the temperatures go down. Autumn is always a time for both reflection and planning as the previous growing season and next collide in the Head Gardeners mind - so join Lucy and Saul every week as they bring you more tales from their gardening lives!Well - who would have thought 4 (ish) years ago when Lucy and Saul tried to record their wafflings it would lead to 200 episodes of the Talking Heads Podcast. The Gardening pair are more than humble and slightly bemused with it all, but so incredibly thankful to all the loyal and soon-to-be loyal listeners that have joined us over the timespan of this venture. So what better way to celebrate then to set a simple (Saul) and cryptic (Lucy) quiz - and remember best answers to us through our social media wins! Here's to another 200 (or at least another 20) episodes - CHEERS!Instagram Links:Lucy headgardenerlcTwitter links:Saul @GardeningSaulIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
Autumn signals the slow descent into slumber for another year - but not before the fireworks of the late flowering perennials, exotics and bulbs, the harvest of the last of the beautiful summer veg and finally the firework bank of the tree's as they turn there annual colours of orange, reds and yellows. Its time to switch up the usual gardening to get on with some bigger jobs and also dust off the longer trousers, thermals and the rain coat as moisture levels increase and the temperatures go down. Autumn is always a time for both reflection and planning as the previous growing season and next collide in the Head Gardeners mind - so join Lucy and Saul every week as they bring you more tales from their gardening lives!Saul is hunkering down on the Devonshire estate of Stonelands, as yet more rain and accompanying high winds, in the form of storm Ciaran, hits our shores. In Essex, Lucy will be less affected by storms but this week she admits to feeling melancholy as she says goodbye to the gardens at East Donyland Hall. Regular listener, Tufty, poses a question about hedge trimmers, which gets the duo thinking about harnesses, back safety, petrol, electric and battery operated models. As ever, there's a lot to discuss!Instagram Links:Lucy headgardenerlcTwitter links:Saul @GardeningSaulIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
From time to time Lucy and Saul decided they wanted to record conversations with other Head Gardeners, Curators, Garden Owners and fellow horticulturists across the UK, these will be published as Bonus Episodes alongside their usual format of chatting about their gardening lives. We hope you enjoy.For the Bonus Episode #20 we are joined by Stonelands Gardener Brian Langley - who although recently retired, spent 45 years in the National Trust as a gardener firstly at Tatton Park in Cheshire, but for the last 37 years at Antony House in Cornwall. Now in his retirement he shows no sign of slowing down working at Stonelands House part-time, volunteering for numerous charities and biking off to all parts of the UK and the World. A passionate advocate for the natural world and enabling everyone to engage and enjoy it, we chat about his life and work.Twitter links:Saul @GardeningSaulLucy @HeadGardenerLCInstagram links:Lucy headgardenerlcIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
Autumn signals the slow descent into slumber for another year - but not before the fireworks of the late flowering perennials, exotics and bulbs, the harvest of the last of the beautiful summer veg and finally the firework bank of the tree's as they turn there annual colours of orange, reds and yellows. Its time to switch up the usual gardening to get on with some bigger jobs and also dust off the longer trousers, thermals and the rain coat as moisture levels increase and the temperatures go down. Autumn is always a time for both reflection and planning as the previous growing season and next collide in the Head Gardeners mind - so join Lucy and Saul every week as they bring you more tales from their gardening lives!It's official - Saul and Lucy love tulips! Whether they're showy Darwins and Triumphs, or the more diminutive species, the duo have been busy stocking up on this late spring performer. Daffodils, too, have been purchased, be they ones for naturalising in turf, or planting into pots to fill the air with scent. Fritillaries, anemones, scillas, muscari, lilies, alliums - between Lucy and Saul the stock of Peter Nyssen and J Parkers has been severely dented! We finish the episode with a flurry of other jobs to complete on your estate, large or small, proving that autumn is one of the key seasons for cracking on with practical tasks.Twitter links:Saul @GardeningSaulInstagram Links:Lucy headgardenerlcIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
Autumn signals the slow descent into slumber for another year - but not before the fireworks of the late flowering perennials, exotics and bulbs, the harvest of the last of the beautiful summer veg and finally the firework bank of the tree's as they turn there annual colours of orange, reds and yellows. Its time to switch up the usual gardening to get on with some bigger jobs and also dust off the longer trousers, thermals and the rain coat as moisture levels increase and the temperatures go down. Autumn is always a time for both reflection and planning as the previous growing season and next collide in the Head Gardeners mind - so join Lucy and Saul every week as they bring you more tales from their gardening lives!It's been three weeks since Head Gardening pair Saul and lucy have recorded a podcast together, so as with every gardener who hasn't touched base for a while its non-stop horti-waffle as we catch up with what has been happening as Summer makes way for the Autumn harden. Lucy updates us as to where her gardening journey is taking her post-East Donyland, and Saul updates us on the Squash harvest, one of the few veg that he has finally mastered (maybe!).Instagram Links:Lucy headgardenerlcTwitter links:Saul @GardeningSaulIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
Summer days are here again - sipping G&T on the terrace, lounging in our pools and holidays in the Algarve!? You must be kidding, for Head Gardeners Lucy and Saul it's full-on gardening, as our plots and patches reach the zenith of there horticultural output. This is the season when we really see the results of all those labours over the previous 6 months - colour, texture, scent and flavour all reach their crescendo as the garden provides us with the visual and edible treats that we work so hard for. Enjoy theses long days and wallow in the best gardening has to offer.After nine years working as Head Gardener for East Donyland Hall, Lucy's time at the garden's helm is coming to an end. As she, Ian, Nick and Boo prepare to say goodbye to the almighty walls that have kept them company over the years, she reminisces over the many happy memories that sit within them. Expect tales of badger invasions, wildflower meadow virals, smuggler catacombs, moat fatalities, notebook tete-a-tetes and, of course, kitchen garden feasts. This is the 85-acre garden where Lucy cut her 'head gardener' teeth - it's been a joyful journey for her and privilege to hold that role.Instagram Links:Lucy headgardenerlcTwitter links:Saul @GardeningSaulIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
1Summer days are here again - sipping G&T on the terrace, lounging in our pools and holidays in the Algarve!? You must be kidding, for Head Gardeners Lucy and Saul it's full-on gardening, as our plots and patches reach the zenith of there horticultural output. This is the season when we really see the results of all those labours over the previous 6 months - colour, texture, scent and flavour all reach their crescendo as the garden provides us with the visual and edible treats that we work so hard for. Enjoy theses long days and wallow in the best gardening has to offer.With 70mm of rain in two hours, Saul's description of subsequent flooding in Devon reminds us that, ultimately, the weather dictates all in the garden. With rivers looking like 'Willy Wonka's chocolate factory' has Stonelands escaped unscathed? Lucy hasn't been relying on the weather to give her a dramatic few days, but her week's events remind us that aspects of working life have the ability to swell, peak and wane, and riding those waves can be a good test of our resilience. Step forward, then, with silver linings and multiple packets of custard creams!Twitter links:Saul @GardeningSaulInstagram Links:Lucy headgardenerlcIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
Summer days are here again - sipping G&T on the terrace, lounging in our pools and holidays in the Algarve!? You must be kidding, for Head Gardeners Lucy and Saul it's full-on gardening, as our plots and patches reach the zenith of there horticultural output. This is the season when we really see the results of all those labours over the previous 6 months - colour, texture, scent and flavour all reach their crescendo as the garden provides us with the visual and edible treats that we work so hard for. Enjoy theses long days and wallow in the best gardening has to offer.Late summer and Early Autumn is the zenith of the late summer garden, and especially so when your garden comprises the more exotic and tropical foliage that Saul loves so much. So on a solo mission, he takes you for a stroll through the gingers in his life, plus a few other plant cameos that are looking particularly good at this time of year - all while dodging the rain showers - never be told that Saul (and most head gardeners) aren't out in their plots in all weathers!Twitter links:Saul @GardeningSaulInstagram Links:Lucy headgardenerlcIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
Summer days are here again - sipping G&T on the terrace, lounging in our pools and holidays in the Algarve!? You must be kidding, for Head Gardeners Lucy and Saul it's full-on gardening, as our plots and patches reach the zenith of there horticultural output. This is the season when we really see the results of all those labours over the previous 6 months - colour, texture, scent and flavour all reach their crescendo as the garden provides us with the visual and edible treats that we work so hard for. Enjoy theses long days and wallow in the best gardening has to offer.Phew! There doesn't seem much time to catch breath, at the moment. Lucy is still unpacking from her show garden adventures, while Saul is dashing between RHS Plant (TOP!) committee duties and Hardy Plant Society events. But the estate gardens are still growing so the duo must also give them due attention and management. Scorching weather has lessened the speed of turf growth (thankfully) so mowing tasks have been replaced by watering and deadheading. Plus, we must also make time for the all-important job of biscuit eating! Thanks Audley End visitors, you're keeping us going ;-)Twitter links:Saul @GardeningSaulInstagram Links:Lucy headgardenerlcIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
Summer days are here again - sipping G&T on the terrace, lounging in our pools and holidays in the Algarve!? You must be kidding, for Head Gardeners Lucy and Saul it's full-on gardening, as our plots and patches reach the zenith of there horticultural output. This is the season when we really see the results of all those labours over the previous 6 months - colour, texture, scent and flavour all reach their crescendo as the garden provides us with the visual and edible treats that we work so hard for. Enjoy theses long days and wallow in the best gardening has to offer.A second year of BBC Gardeners World Autumn Fair means Saul and Lucy are working and playing at Audley End House and Gardens in Essex once again. As well as their usual Plant Expert Tours of the wonderful Walled Garden, Lucy and her team have finally built there long-planned Showcase Garden, and the news of how it fared is beyond thrilling. Saul also gets his annual shot of the weird and wonderful as he samples some of the 'Future' crops being trialled by the Audley Team.Twitter links:Saul @GardeningSaulInstagram Links:Lucy headgardenerlcIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
Summer days are here again - sipping G&T on the terrace, lounging in our pools and holidays in the Algarve!? You must be kidding, for Head Gardeners Lucy and Saul it's full-on gardening, as our plots and patches reach the zenith of there horticultural output. This is the season when we really see the results of all those labours over the previous 6 months - colour, texture, scent and flavour all reach their crescendo as the garden provides us with the visual and edible treats that we work so hard for. Enjoy theses long days and wallow in the best gardening has to offer.With only day's until the start of build-up, we're catching up with Lucy, who along with Audley End Gardeners Gemma Sturges and Kelly Fowler, are designing and building a Grow Your Own Show Garden at BBC Gardeners World Autumn Fair at Audley End. The trio are very experienced gardeners, especially with Fruit and Veg, but have stepped outside their comfort Zone with this Show Garden Project. Plans are best laid, plants have been grown to the peak of perfection and jelly babies are at the ready, as the Trio take the step beyond the familiarity of their usual patches of garden into a world of both excitement and pressure. So how's it been going, are they ready and what is there to look forward to if you are coming to the show, Saul finds out. Twitter links:Saul @GardeningSaulGemma @gemma_sturgesInstagram Links:Lucy headgardenerlcGemma madamtuberistKelly fedbyplantsIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
Summer days are here again - sipping G&T on the terrace, lounging in our pools and holidays in the Algarve!? You must be kidding, for Head Gardeners Lucy and Saul it's full-on gardening, as our plots and patches reach the zenith of there horticultural output. This is the season when we really see the results of all those labours over the previous 6 months - colour, texture, scent and flavour all reach their crescendo as the garden provides us with the visual and edible treats that we work so hard for. Enjoy theses long days and wallow in the best gardening has to offer.Has August in 2023 been one of the lushest for many a year, it certainly feels like it. Weeds are on steroids, fruit and veggies are swelling and ripening in unbelievable quantity , and planting, dividing and propagating our precious plants has been a joy. Lucy and Saul have been revelling in all these things and more - as they bulk up their stocks of plants for overwintering taking as many cuttings as they can. Twitter link:Saul @GardeningSaulInstagram link:Lucy @HeadGardenerLCIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Support the show
Summer days are here again - sipping G&T on the terrace, lounging in our pools and holidays in the Algarve!? You must be kidding, for Head Gardeners Lucy and Saul it's full-on gardening, as our plots and patches reach the zenith of there horticultural output. This is the season when we really see the results of all those labours over the previous 6 months - colour, texture, scent and flavour all reach their crescendo as the garden provides us with the visual and edible treats that we work so hard for. Enjoy theses long days and wallow in the best gardening has to offer.Gardening is a wonderful occupation and hobby (sometimes both) for the mind, soul and body. Saul and Lucy discuss their representative loves through a Summer where the weather has proved to be anything but loved. But the gardens don't care, in fact they are revelling in it! So the head Gardening pair compare tomatoes, talk gingers, discuss whether stress good for flowering and how a little time away from there garden makes all the difference. Twitter link:Saul @GardeningSaulInstagram link:Lucy @HeadGardenerLCIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Support the show
Summer days are here again - sipping G&T on the terrace, lounging in our pools and holidays in the Algarve!? You must be kidding, for Head Gardeners Lucy and Saul it's full-on gardening, as our plots and patches reach the zenith of there horticultural output. This is the season when we really see the results of all those labours over the previous 6 months - colour, texture, scent and flavour all reach their crescendo as the garden provides us with the visual and edible treats that we work so hard for. Enjoy theses long days and wallow in the best gardening has to offer.Cats and Dogs - and the whole farm yard too - its pretty wet out there even in the deserts of Essex. Though a complete opposite to last years dry weather, the rain has meant lush gardens, an explosion of weeds, but also soggy gardeners! However, Lucy has had more on her mind (and body) than the constant precipitation, as her shoulder pain continues to prevent her doing what she loves most in the garden, so the Head Gardening pair take a look at how to manage your body during this most physical of jobs and why its important to think about your health as an important factor for a long and fruitful career.Twitter link:Saul @GardeningSaulInstagram link:Lucy @HeadGardenerLCIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Support the show
Summer days are here again - sipping G&T on the terrace, lounging in our pools and holidays in the Algarve!? You must be kidding, for Head Gardeners Lucy and Saul it's full-on gardening, as our plots and patches reach the zenith of there horticultural output. This is the season when we really see the results of all those labours over the previous 6 months - colour, texture, scent and flavour all reach their crescendo as the garden provides us with the visual and edible treats that we work so hard for. Enjoy theses long days and wallow in the best gardening has to offer.Ommmpphhh. Lucy and Saul are showing the wear and tear for the garden season, it is important to look after your body to keep you gardening all year long, so sometimes taking it a little easier is a good thing. But do plants have that luxury or is it GO GO GO during their brief season to get the maximum out of their gardening time. Feeding is an important part of keeping your precious plants healthy and hearty but do we really know what were doing when we 'slosh' on our chosen food, and is feeding really needed at all, or is it all about looking after that precious topsoil! Twitter link:Saul @GardeningSaulInstagram link:Lucy @HeadGardenerLCIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Support the show
Summer days are here again - sipping G&T on the terrace, lounging in our pools and holidays in the Algarve!? You must be kidding, for Head Gardeners Lucy and Saul it's full-on gardening, as our plots and patches reach the zenith of there horticultural output. This is the season when we really see the results of all those labours over the previous 6 months - colour, texture, scent and flavour all reach their crescendo as the garden provides us with the visual and edible treats that we work so hard for. Enjoy theses long days and wallow in the best gardening has to offer.Is your grass looking lush compared to this time last year, are the weeds growing at a rate of knots, is your cordyline looking like "A hedgehog after drinking three cans of Red Bull", do you fancy getting your nose into a good horticultural text book? You can rely on Lucy and Saul to answer all these questions and more, in this week's Talking Heads podcast episode. And while Lucy may feel somber that the Hall's kitchen garden is taking a year out, she's by no means resting on her laurels when it comes to growing her own food. Twitter link:Saul @GardeningSaulInstagram link:Lucy @HeadGardenerLCIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Support the show
From time to time Lucy and Saul decided they wanted to record conversations with other Head Gardeners, Curators, Garden Owners and fellow horticulturists across the UK, these will be published as Bonus Episodes alongside their usual format of chatting about their gardening lives. We hope you enjoy.For the Bonus Episode #19 we are joined by Horticultural Polymath David Hurrion - a very familiar figure in the Horticulture press, at Flower Shows and those who are lucky enough to join him on his adventures across the world of gardening and plants. David has 50 years experience in gardening from his start as Head Gardener of his home plot at the tender age of 8 years old, through training at Writtle College, through Garden Journalism, Teaching, Nursery Work and regularly hosting stage's at some of the countries biggest flower shows. Website:www.davidhurrion.comYouTube:David HurrionTwitter links:David @DavidHurrionSaul @GardeningSaulLucy @HeadGardenerLCInstagram links:David davidhurrionLucy headgardenerlcIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Support the show
Summer days are here again - sipping G&T on the terrace, lounging in our pools and holidays in the Algarve!? You must be kidding, for Head Gardeners Lucy and Saul it's full-on gardening, as our plots and patches reach the zenith of there horticultural output. This is the season when we really see the results of all those labours over the previous 6 months - colour, texture, scent and flavour all reach their crescendo as the garden provides us with the visual and edible treats that we work so hard for. Enjoy theses long days and wallow in the best gardening has to offer.We've all been there with are gardens - not enough time in the day to do all those tasks you want to, not enough resources to get the garden looking 100% and not enough space for all those idealist plans. Well gardening, especially professionally in very large spaces, is as much about compromise as it is about getting everything looking perfect. Saul and Lucy chat about how they 'cut their coats to their clothe' and make sure they are working as smart as they can to achieve as much as possible in their gardens.Twitter link:Saul @GardeningSaulInstagram link:Lucy @HeadGardenerLCIntro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Support the show
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Loved it! Fellow tree huggers, was having a hug with an obliging oak yesterday. Thank you for the mention, really appreciated it ❤