Talking Heads - a Gardening Podcast

358 episodes
Ep. 328 - As Storm Austen and Boelo subside, Lucy and Saul reflect on how the gardeners are ever more in the laps of the weather gods, and how adapation will be a key part of our gardening future, and also reflect on the untimely death of Richard Baines.
01/11/2026 | 35 mins.Its been a long old summer of heat and drought - and although that may be great for those of us visiting the beach, our gardens (especially in the south) have taken a hammering. Gardening hasn't been much fun either. So its nice to get to the cooler and moister end of the year and enjoy the 'mellow fruitfulness' that will surround us for a few months. And as we prepare for the winter, its a lovely time of year just to take a stroll onto the plot, cup of tea in hand and revel in the the changing angle of the sun and the light that just makes the garden seem so magical at this time of year. But as a dedicated gardener don't spend to long dawdling - there still plenty of work to be done and time waits for no person!
The storms may have blown through like any other, but the weather in this country becomes more and more a subject for discussion in this country with sever drought declared in parts of Devon and large amounts of rain falling, its hard to know what to plan for in the garden. The storms also cauded the tragic death of Richard Baines, curator at Logan Botanic Gardens and Saul's friend, so he pays tribute to an amazingly knowledgeable and generous man, and big loss to the gardening world.
Instagram links:
Saul plantsmansaul
Lucy lucychamberlaingardens
Intro 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 showEp. 327 - In this week's episode, Lucy pays tribute to garden writer Ruth Hayes, who sadly passed away in September. She also talks about storm Austen and what gardening tasks this is prompting her to complete
24/10/2026 | 21 mins.Its been a long old summer of heat and drought - and although that may be great for those of us visiting the beach, our gardens (especially in the south) have taken a hammering. Gardening hasn't been much fun either. So its nice to get to the cooler and moister end of the year and enjoy the 'mellow fruitfulness' that will surround us for a few months. And as we prepare for the winter, its a lovely time of year just to take a stroll onto the plot, cup of tea in hand and revel in the the changing angle of the sun and the light that just makes the garden seem so magical at this time of year. But as a dedicated gardener don't spend to long dawdling - there still plenty of work to be done and time waits for no person!
In this episode we pay tribute to the energy, passion, knowledge and warmth that encapsulated Ruth Hayes - Amateur Gardening magazine's gardening editor, who passed away this autumn. We hope that gardening brings you some comfort at these times of great sadness. With Storm Austen approaching, Lucy also reminds us that we need to take action if we own any tender plants - winter cold AND wet is not their friend.
Instagram links:
Saul plantsmansaul
Lucy lucychamberlaingardens
Intro 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 showEp. 326 - Rain, rain, come to Essex - where squirrels, walnuts and peaches are in abundance. Whilst Saul's beloved Devon has had some welcome autumn rain, Lucy is still much in need of it in North Essex
17/10/2026 | 32 mins.Ah, Autumn Bliss. Its been a long old summer of heat and drought - and though that may be great for those of us visiting the beach, our gardens (especially in the south) have taken a hammering. Gardening hasn't been much fun either. So its nice to get to the cooler and moister end of the year and enjoy the 'mellow fruitfulness' that will surround us for a few months. And as gardens we prepare for the winter, its a lovely time of year just to take a stroll into the garden, cup of tea in hand and revel in the the changing angle of the sun and the light that just makes the garden seem so magical at this time of year. But as a dedicated gardener don't spend to long dawdling - there still plenty of work to be done in the garden and time waits for no person!
Weather - and its effect on the garden - is the main topic of conversation for this episode. Lawns, trees, shrubs and perennials are all in various stages of recovery (or not) since the UK's drought this summer, so gardeners are waiting to see what happens. But luckily they're not being idle with their time: tidying, edging and (especially for Lucy) mulch making have brought the smiles back to their faces - thank goodness for that.
Instagram links:
Lucy lucychamberlaingardens
Saul plantsmansaul
Intro 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 showEp. 325 - The #TalkingHeads podcast is a bit at 6s and 7s at the moment, so bear with us, and in the meantime a little catch-up with Saul and some Apple(y) action!
12/10/2026 | 22 mins.h Autumn Bliss. Its been a long old summer of heat and drought - and though that may be great for those of us visiting the beach, our gardens (especially in the south) have taken a hammering. Gardening hasn't been much fun either. So its nice to get to the cooler and moister end of the year and enjoy the 'mellow fruitfulness' that will surround us for a few months. And as gardens we prepare for the winter, its a lovely time of year just to take a stroll into the garden, cup of tea in hand and revel in the the changing angle of the sun and the light that just makes the garden seem so magical at this time of year. But as a dedicated gardener don't spend to long dawdling - there still plenty of work to be done in the garden and time waits for no person!
Many apologies dear listeners - everytime Lucy and Saul beleive their gardening lives have got a bit quieter the amount they have to do just increases - so episodes at the moment are a little delayed and unorganised but never fear we'll keep the #HortiWaffle going somehow. So Saul just checks in with the you all to fill in what he has been up to recently including the end of the Hedychium Trial at East Ruston Garden and the amazing EuroPom - a celebration of apples (and other fruit) from around Europe, and the most mind blowing experience!
Instagram links:
Saul plantsmansaul
Lucy lucychamberlaingardens
Intro 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 showEp. 324 - Finally two #TalkingHeads in the same room - as September brings a little (if not busy) normality back to Saul and Lucy's gardening lives...
26/09/2026 | 33 mins.Ah Autumn Bliss. Its been a long old summer of heat and drought - and though that may be great for those of us visiting the beach, our gardens (especially in the south) have taken a hammering. Gardening hasn't been much fun either. So its nice to get to the cooler and moister end of the year and enjoy the 'mellow fruitfulness' that will surround us for a few months. And as gardens we prepare for the winter, its a lovely time of year just to take a stroll into the garden, cup of tea in hand and revel in the the changing angle of the sun and the light that just makes the garden seem so magical at this time of year. But as a dedicated gardener don't spend to long dawdling - there still plenty of work to be done in the garden and time waits for no person!
Finally Lucy and Saul are in the same room, if not in the correct counties to snatch a bit of time together to catch up and resume the #HortiWaffle. Saul has still be on his travels catching up on Hedychium trials, Plant Heritage work and enjoying the countryside of the British Isles from various train windows. Lucy has been enjoying a little more of the normal 'local' work with plenty of Autumn mulch to prepare and Chocolate Custard Creams to consume - isn't it nice to have a little normality back!
Instagram links:
Saul plantsmansaul
Lucy lucychamberlaingardens
Intro 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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