Valentine's Day 2025 will see people from all over South Africa showing their Hearts and Soles as they join in on Flip-Flop Day to raise money for CHOC. Childhood cancer is a diagnosis no family should have to go through alone. But with the help of CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa, they're getting much needed help to get them through this immense challenge. CHOC CEO Hedley Lewis chats to Melanie Walker, a long-time supporter of CHOC, about how everyone and their partners can get inv...
Jan 30, 2025•13 min0
Just what is Uncultivated Food in the bigger scheme of things? Author Nikki Brighton takes the reader on a journey about this growing way of viewing those plants that are growing in the 'wrong' place (i.e. weeds) and shows us how to forage, and what you can garner from not just your garden, but from wild spaces in your area, to add to your pantry. Wild About Weeds is an easy guide to the most common edible weeds and uncultivated foods to be found all over South Africa, and will surely stimulate ...
Dec 12, 2024•34 min0
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
Nov 10, 2023•31 min0
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 you...
Jun 01, 2023•36 min0
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 Din...
May 18, 2023•34 min0
.. 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
May 04, 2023•34 min0
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...
Mar 02, 2023•32 min0
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 ...
Feb 08, 2023•37 min0
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 ...
Nov 03, 2022•30 min0
“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! Whe...
Sep 17, 2022•31 min0
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://lifei...
May 26, 2022•33 min0
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 ...
Mar 24, 2022•34 min0
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...
Jan 19, 2022•34 min0
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 Faceboo...
Dec 22, 2021•35 min0
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...
Dec 16, 2021•33 min0
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 h...
Dec 02, 2021•31 min0
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...
Oct 20, 2021•32 min0
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 - ...
Sep 23, 2021•31 min0
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, ...
Sep 02, 2021•32 min0
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 i...
Jul 28, 2021•34 min0
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...
May 04, 2021•34 min0
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...
Apr 28, 2021•38 min0
Life is a Garden's winter top tips with Cary Goodwin (Spokesperson Life is a Garden, Head Garden Girl at Colourful Group) Winter is on its way, so what should you be looking out for? The Great Reset continues - are you part of it? Talking bulbs, indoor plants, how to get your garden ready for the quiet time and all things in between. Mel's Treasures on Facebook
Apr 22, 2021•34 min0
Michael Rickhoff (Master Landscape Designer) We set trends here in the south - not following the rest of the world! While the rest of the world follow trends in gardening, taking their cue from the northern hemisphere summer garden ideas, there are a number of Proudly South Africans who are taking the leap into bringing OUR cultures to the forefront of garden design. Michael Rickhoff takes us through what he believes the top trends are for this year in our country. Indigenous plants and African ...
Mar 18, 2021•30 min0
Get yourself ready for Your Life in a Garden Cary Goodwin (spokesperson Life is a Garden) This month is a time of planning. Planning for your autumn and winter garden. Cary Goodwin gives us all the gen we need for ensuring you have all your bulbs (not) in a row and things to keep the kids busy too. Mel's Treasures on Facebook
Mar 13, 2021•34 min0
The Trials and Tribulations of getting the Best Plants to you! Kathy Varney (Marketing & Product Manager at Ball Straathof) For years, Ball Straathof have been striving to bring colour, beauty and tasty morsels to all gardens and landscapes. The BS Trials give all those in the gardening industry - and the public too - the opportunity to see what new plants are coming up in South Africa. One of the most eagerly awaited events on the gardening calendar. Has lockdown changed this? Or the garden...
Feb 14, 2021•31 min0
Start your Gardening Year off Greenly Cary Goodwin (Spokesperson Life is a Garden, Head Garden Girl at Colourful Group) The beginning of a New Year generally heralds new resolutions. If you haven't made one yet, let it be this - I am going to get Grounded! From starting from scratch and getting your soil right, to bringing this year's colours into your space, Cary Goodwin gives us all of Life is a Garden's hints and tips to get you on the right gardening track to ensure success in your backyard ...
Jan 14, 2021•38 min0
And 100 of them you should get to know! Megan Emmett Parker (author and senior producer in the environmental world) With a Masters in environmental management, a conservation degree and a decade working as a senior producer on 50/50 on tv, Megan Parker has a solid grounding on all topics environmental. Her book, Game Ranger in your Backpack, has been selling out and reprinted yearly since release ten years ago. And her book on trees, originally titled If Trees Could Talk, now published by Struik...
Dec 12, 2020•30 min0
Christmas in a Garden with Life is a Garden Cary Goodwin (Life is a Garden | Spokesperson and Colourful Group | Head Girl) The summer holidays are a time to kick back and relax - and after the dreadful year many have had - thank you 2020! - with many people (still) staying home, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the fruits of your backyard labour. Cary Goodwin tells us what indigenous trees are great stand-ins as a Christmas tree, let’s us in on the secret world of bugs, gives hints and tips on wha...
Nov 27, 2020•37 min0
Regreening Africa the Greenpop way Misha Teasdale (Co-founder and Director at Greenpop Planet deforestation and carbon emissions have become watchwords in the global environment and economy. Our new ‘climate-reality’. With this in mind, in 2010 Misha Teasdale set about creating a community that reconnects humans with nature through tree planting and other environmental and social mass action Greenpop is an award-winning registered non-profit organisation headquartered in Cape Town, which works t...
Nov 25, 2020•31 min0
