Talking Heads - a Gardening Podcast - podcast cover

Talking Heads - a Gardening Podcast

Lucy Chamberlain and Saul Walkerwww.talkingheadspodcast.co.uk

Follow professional gardeners Saul Walker and Lucy Chamberlain as they reveal exactly what it’s like to be horticulturists in the diverse and exciting world of gardening . Lucy and Saul have 40 years of gardening experience between them and it soon became clear to them both that this fulfilling vocation can be incredibly diverse, occasionally challenging and hugely rewarding. On the podcast 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 bottom of this page. 

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Episodes

Ep. 212 - Saul enjoys some solo time in the garden, so come and join him at Stonelands, where he's dodging puddles, sorting out his greenhouse and attempts a live seed sowing demonstration (what could go wrong!)

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. ...

Feb 17, 202436 minEp. 212

Ep. 211 - An apprenticeship offers an excellent route into horticulture, so this week Lucy and Saul celebrate National Apprenticeship Week by looking at how one could springboard your horticultural career

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. ...

Feb 08, 202432 minEp. 211

Ep. 210 - Embark upon your wonderful career in horticulture, courtesy of the RHS! This week, Saul and Lucy discuss the charity's Horticulture Career Discovery Week, which showcases the diversity of our wonderful industry.

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. ...

Jan 31, 202433 min

Ep. 209 - What gardening trends does 2024 have in store? According to RHS Chief Horticulturist, Guy Barter, lots! Lucy and Saul chat through his predictions for the year ahead

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. ...

Jan 23, 202438 min

Ep. 208 - As Lucy acclimatises back to the UK, Saul takes you to Stonelands in frigid conditions for a little rose pruning, some climate talk, a cup of tea and a visit from Devon Air Ambulance!

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 g...

Jan 21, 202435 minEp. 208

Ep. 207 - THE AUSSIE SPECIAL (Part 2): Lucy is still Down Under enjoying the summer life, while Saul dons the extra winter layers as the cold finally descends in the UK - time for a little bit of the Hunter Valley, some Kookaburras and pruning apple trees

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 g...

Jan 13, 202436 minEp. 207

Ep. 206 - THE AUSSIE SPECIAL (Part 1): To start our 5th Year of Garden podcasting, we've sent Lucy (and her Family) to Australia for a little January sunshine and to soak in all the weird and wonderful Oz flora and fauna.

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 g...

Jan 06, 202437 minEp. 206

Ep. 205 - And so just like that its the end of 2023 - Lucy and I look back and forward to what Gardening has to offer, look at our favourite Xmas plants, and get a little preoccupied with LED lights. Merry Christmas everyone.

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 g...

Dec 23, 202336 minEp. 205

Ep. 204 - 2023 is nearly over, but there's still one outstanding 'job' to do at #TalkingHeads podcast HQ, the answers to our anniversary quiz!

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 g...

Dec 16, 202340 minEp. 204

Ep. 203 - Winter has arrived in the UK! With it, Saul and Lucy shift their mindset towards cool-season jobs in the garden - and there are plenty. Led by Lucy's 'Donyland Diaries' the duo discuss gardening projects for December

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 dow...

Dec 07, 202337 minEp. 203

Ep. 202 - With Saul back (just about) on his feet, we talk about the potential gardening that he could have done, winter-flowering shrubs and Lucy's glamorous day out at the Garden Media Guild Awards - all while wrapping up warm!

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 dow...

Dec 02, 202333 minEp. 202

Ep. 201 - After last week's milestone episode, Saul and Lucy are back to normal topics such as the weather, listener questions and extracurricular activities (in this case, RHS committee work). No cryptic questions in sight!

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 dow...

Nov 16, 202332 minEp. 201

Ep. 200 - We've reached a huge milestone in the #TalkingHeads Gardening adventure, and are so thankful to everyone who has listened over the years - so lets celebrate with a cryptic Horti-quiz!

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 dow...

Nov 11, 202333 minEp. 200

Ep. 199 - As Storm Ciaran hits the southwest shores, Saul braces himself for a garden clean up. Plus, a listener's question about hedge cutters gets the full Lucy and Saul analysis.

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 dow...

Nov 04, 202339 minEp. 199

Bonus Episode #20 - Saul is joined in conversation by Stonelands Gardener Brian Langley - having only recently retired after 45 years gardening for the National Trust we talk about Brian's love for the natural world, schools education and gardening.

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...

Oct 28, 202339 min

Ep. 198 - It's bulb planting time! Are you a tulip fan, a daffodil collector or a hoarder of alliums, lilies & fritillaries? These two Head Gardeners plant a plethora of bulbs in autumn, so they sing the praises of both stalwarts & lesser known species

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 dow...

Oct 21, 202340 minEp. 198

Ep. 197 - After a couple of weeks hiatus, the #TalkingHeads pair are back, and waffling on about the gardening they've been up to since Autumn started to show it's colours.

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 dow...

Oct 14, 202335 minEp. 197

Ep. 196 - Lucy pays tribute to her time at East Donyland Hall as she and her gardening team prepare to say farewell to the Essex estate

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...

Sep 30, 202339 minEp. 196

Ep. 195 - Flash flooding in Devon gives Saul a dramatic week at Stonelands, and Lucy breaks some very sad news for the Hall's gardening team.

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...

Sep 23, 202333 minEp. 195

Ep. 194 - THE EXOTIC EPISODE (Part 4) - Late Summer and Early Autumn is the zenith of the Exotic Garden, flower and foliage giving it's maximum display, so Saul takes a solo walk through his mini Devon rainforest.

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...

Sep 16, 202333 minEp. 194

Ep. 193 - Is it time to slow down yet?! Lucy's been busy, Saul is still busy - and our season doesn't seem to show signs of slowing yet. With shows, societies and committees, it's all go for the modern Head Gardener

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...

Sep 09, 202332 minEp. 193

Ep. 192 - It's the start of September, which means Saul and Lucy are again at Audley End Gardens for BBCGWLive Autumn Fair, and finally Lucy's Show Garden is ready, so join us for the results and some salad munching!

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...

Sep 03, 202325 minEp. 192

Ep. 191 - THE SHOW GARDEN SPECIAL (Part 2): Lucy, Gemma and Kelly are day's away from starting the build on their first Show Garden at BBCGWFair Autumn, so Saul catches up on how the progress is going and the excitement of the coming week.

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...

Aug 26, 202335 minEp. 191

Ep. 190 - It's been one of the busiest August's in the garden for many a year - fruit is ripening and cropping phenomenally, grass is lush, and plants are ripe for propagation - it's a great time to be a gardener!

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...

Aug 19, 202334 minEp. 190

Ep. 189 - Fruit, Flowers, Vegetables and meeting up with Gardening friends - being a Head Gardener is not always work, work, work but also full of joyful moments which Lucy and Saul revel in.

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...

Aug 12, 202335 minEp. 189

Ep. 188 - PAIN AND RAIN. It's a little damp out there, and though the garden is a lush oasis for once in August, it's not helping Lucy as the pain of her shoulder continues to hamper her gardening.

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...

Aug 05, 202336 minEp. 188

Ep. 187 - Lucy and Saul may feel battered and bruised from Garden, but the delights of Summer are still coming, so the pair look at how feeding (or maybe not) can keep your displays at the top of their game.

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...

Jul 29, 202338 minEp. 187

Ep. 186 - Saul and Lucy have their 'problem solving' heads on, as this week, the duo provide answers regarding weather, labour force, reading lists and cordylines. Plus, Lucy ensures she gets a huge Grow Your Own fix.

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...

Jul 20, 202337 min

Bonus Episode #19 - Lucy and Saul are joined in conversation by Horticulturist, Journalist and Garden guru David Hurrion - we talk about his journalism, taking American tourists across the Zambezi and the pitfalls of modern Gardening media.

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 ad...

Jul 15, 202350 min

Ep. 185 - 'Cutting your coat to your cloth' - Gardening both large and small is all about compromises, especially with your time, resources and space, So Lucy and Saul chat about how they try to work as economically as possible.

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...

Jul 08, 202335 minEp. 185
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