kitchen gardens

Winter in the UK is either mild and damp, or cold and windy - and who would want to be outside as a gardener at this time of year - well Saul and Lucy for one, as these months are some of the busiest in all of the 12. While the garden may be slumbering, Head Gardeners and their teams are beavering away on major jobs, garden renovations, cleaning and tidying the years clutter and making plans for 2024. So join us every week to see what we're up to in the cold months in our work and home gardens.

Saul and Lucy return to their usual format of waffle, and with lots to catch up on they have a good chat about the weather (surprise, surprise), Lucy's lack of garden progress (Like us all), Saul's visit to the new 'Growing Point' nursery at the Eden Project, and a listener's question about perennial vegetables.  So a lot to cover in this new episode, as Spring (we hope) is slowly appearing on the horizon!

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc

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/)

Winter in the UK is either mild and damp, or cold and windy - and who would want to be outside as a gardener at this time of year - well Saul and Lucy for one, as these months are some of the busiest in all of the 12. While the garden may be slumbering, Head Gardeners and their teams are beavering away on major jobs, garden renovations, cleaning and tidying the years clutter and making plans for 2024. So join us every week to see what we're up to in the cold months in our work and home gardens.

As the winter gloom gives way to (hopefully) more joyful spring brilliance, its time for the Talking Heads pair to start their busy calender of garden events all around the country, with the starting gun fired at the Garden Press Event at the Business Design Centre in London. Join Lucy as she takes a look at the plethora of new garden products, meets with fellow horti-friends and even has a sneaky interview with Saul, as he eulogises the Hardy Plant Society to the gather throng of press and influencers alike.

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc

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/)

Winter in the UK is either mild and damp, or cold and windy - and who would want to be outside as a gardener at this time of year - well Saul and Lucy for one, as these months are some of the busiest in all of the 12. While the garden may be slumbering, Head Gardeners and their teams are beavering away on major jobs, garden renovations, cleaning and tidying the years clutter and making plans for 2024. So join us every week to see what we're up to in the cold months in our work and home gardens.

Winter is slowly dissolving into Spring - and especially this year where the mildness and wet has caused many plants to start their Spring early and the lawns are quite shaggy from continual growth. Saul has all these issues in abundance at Stonelands, so while dodging the downpours he is getting as much work done while things dry up. Join him as he takes a look around the greenhouse and then attempts a live seed sowing demonstration (fantastic for a purely audio medium!), as the growing season starter gun is fired.

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc

Intro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io
"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b

Winter in the UK is either mild and damp, or cold and windy - and who would want to be outside as a gardener at this time of year - well Saul and Lucy for one, as these months are some of the busiest in all of the 12. While the garden may be slumbering, Head Gardeners and their teams are beavering away on major jobs, garden renovations, cleaning and tidying the years clutter and making plans for 2024. So join us every week to see what we're up to in the cold months in our work and home gardens.

It's a route many of us take when we embark upon our professional gardening journey, and so Saul and Lucy couldn't let National Apprenticeship Week pass without giving this method of training due appreciation. The range and reputation of venues offering such schemes is impressive, and the partnership of training whilst earning an income makes these on-the-job schemes a viable option for many. Plus, Lucy shares exciting composting news - hear her heave a huge sigh of relief!

Details of, and links to, all the webinar recordings can be found here:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/articles/horticulture-discovery-week

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc

Intro and Outro music from https://filmmusic.io
"Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b

Winter in the UK is either mild and damp, or cold and windy - and who would want to be outside as a gardener at this time of year - well Saul and Lucy for one, as this time of year is some of the busiest in all the 12 months. While the garden may be slumbering, Head Gardeners and their teams are beavering away on major jobs, garden renovations, cleaning and tidying the years clutter and making plans for 2024. So join us every week to see what we're up to in the cold months in our work and home gardens.

One of the drawbacks of any holiday is returning home, and with Lucy its no different as the combined Time zone difference and temperature shock means she taking a little time to recover. So Saul takes the opportunity to bring the listeners to Stonelands where the mercury bottoms out at -4C, so work is constrained to those areas of the garden where a deep frost isn't too prevalent. Rose pruning is the main the aim while he waits for the thaw, but expect a number of warm cups of tea, that is until the Devon Air Ambulance drops in!

Please donate to your local Air Ambulance, in Devon visit https://www.daat.org/ 

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul


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/)

Winter in the UK is either mild and damp, or cold and windy - and who would want to be outside as a gardener at this time of year - well Saul and Lucy for one, as this time of year is some of the busiest in all the 12 months. While the garden may be slumbering, Head Gardeners and their teams are beavering away on major jobs, garden renovations, cleaning and tidying the years clutter and making plans for 2024. So join us every week to see what we're up to in the cold months in our work and home gardens.

If there was any sign that Lucy was at the opposite ends of the earth then the weather (in true Talking Heads style) would be it. While Saul has put on the extra layers and woolly hat due to winter finally catching up with the UK, Lucy is sunbathing in +25C heat in the Australian summer. But the pair are still enjoying their gardens and plants - as dry weather means pruning is Saul's main focus and the beauty of the Hunters Valley means wine, chocolate and cheese is Lucy's!

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul


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/)

Winter in the UK is either mild and damp, or cold and windy - and who would want to be outside as a gardener at this time of year - well Saul and Lucy for one, as this time of year is some of the busiest in all the 12 months. While the garden may be slumbering, Head Gardeners and their teams are beavering away on major jobs, garden renovations, cleaning and tidying the years clutter and making plans for 2024. So join us every week to see what we're up to in the cold months in our work and home gardens.

Happy New Year to all our listeners - another turn around the sun is in order, and the Talking Heads Podcast continues into its fifth year (madness I tell you!). So to celebrate what better than sending the Veg and Fruit queen down under. Lucy (with family in tow) have headed to the land of Vegemite and Roos to enjoy some winter time sun (or is that summer!?) and lets us into what she has been admiring in the gardens she has seen, her visits to the local garden centre and her battles with some of the local bird population.

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul


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/)

Winter in the UK is either mild and damp, or cold and windy - and who would want to be outside as a gardener at this time of year - well Saul and Lucy for one, as this time of year is some of the busiest in all the 12 months. While the garden may be slumbering, Head Gardeners and their teams are beavering away on major jobs, garden renovations, cleaning and tidying the years clutter and making plans for 2024. So join us every week to see what we're up to in the cold months in our work and home gardens.

The final episode of 2023 is here - and to describe the year in one sentence - indescribable! Lucy and Saul take a look over what has been and what might happen next year, we get into a discussion about the competitive Christmas garden lighting that seems to be sweeping the country and also take a look at our favourite Xmas plants. Talking Heads is now 4 years old and with over 200 episodes in the bag we are always so grateful to have our listeners join us every week - so Merry Christmas to you all, have a wonderful New Year and you will hear the Talking Heads duo once more in 2024!

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul


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/)

Winter in the UK is either mild and damp, or cold and windy - and who would want to be outside as a gardener at this time of year - well Saul and Lucy for one, as this time of year is some of the busiest in all the 12 months. While the garden may be slumbering, Head Gardeners and their teams are beavering away on major jobs, garden renovations, cleaning and tidying the years clutter and making plans for 2024. So join us every week to see what we're up to in the cold months in our work and home gardens.

It's the episode you've all been waiting for (well at least three of you anyway) - yes the answers to the fiendishly cryptic 200th anniversary quiz - if you didn't enter but still gave it a go a month back see how you've done. Lucy and Saul also talk Poinsettia - a stable of the UK Christmas decorations - but remember its not just a plant for Christmas!

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul


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

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!

Never mind Autumn - Winter is here! (And apologies, because it's Lucy's fault - and NOT Tomasz Schafernaker's - if you're experiencing dank, mild conditions this week.) With the drop in temperatures comes a switching of seasons, so Saul and Lucy look this week at what can be achieved in their gardens. Actually, it's quite a lot! So, whether you want to thwart weeds, knock pests on the head, renovate your compost heap, check in on your pelargoniums, cut back your tender plants, or sit by the fireside with a tempting seed catalogue, there's still plenty to be completed on the plot. And if you do stumble across an impressively long iris rhizome, you know who to tell...

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul


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

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 @GardeningSaul

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc

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/)

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 @GardeningSaul

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc

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/)

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 headgardenerlc

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul

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/)

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 headgardenerlc

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul


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/)

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 @GardeningSaul
Lucy @HeadGardenerLC

Instagram links:
Lucy headgardenerlc

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/)

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 @GardeningSaul

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc


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/)

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 headgardenerlc

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul


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/)

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 headgardenerlc

Twitter links:
Saul @GardeningSaul


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/)

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 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 @GardeningSaul

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc


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/)

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 @GardeningSaul

Instagram Links:
Lucy headgardenerlc


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/)