Talking Heads - a Gardening Podcast
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Ep. 303 - Hear that! Well its the gentle hum of the garden world waking up to Spring! Pressure Washers and Seed Trays at the ready, the countdown to full gardening mode is on.....
34 mins; March 28, 2026
Ep. 302 - Spring is springing, and Lucy is one tired gardener - so in this solo episode, hear her flop into a chair as she reaches the end(s) of her working day
38 mins; March 21, 2026
Ep. 301 - Back to the Garden - Lucy returns and is all about the practical, as our gardens really start to shift with the transformation into Spring - also are the #TalkingHeads pair getting 'old'!
36 mins; March 14, 2026
Ep. 300 - A Milestone Episode! So how to celebrate, well replacing Lucy with a brand new presenter of course....and so we went with gardening super-sub Frances Tophill.....
40 mins; March 07, 2026
Ep. 299 - The Talking Heads duo have been out, out - to the Garden Press Event in London where they get a sneak peek at what's in store for the gardening public in 2026. Water conservation, peat-free composts and biofumigants are just a few initiatives...
33 mins; February 28, 2026
Ep. 298 - Jobs indoors are still the mood of the Gardening Nation as the rain is stubbornly locked in on the British Isles, but as its Valentines day its time to make someone's love of plants even greater with the Plant Heritage Wishlist!
34 mins; February 14, 2026
Ep. 297 - Make compost whist the sun shines (not) - Lucy waxes lyrical about this key cool-season task, and a listener causes the duo to ponder winter bird care
34 mins; February 07, 2026
Ep. 296 - January = rain, rain = January - its been wet there is no denying it, but that doesn't stop the #TalkingHeads pair, as Lucy has been playing with her sieving machine and 'Dr Orchid' has been talking houseplants.
34 mins; January 31, 2026
Ep. 295 - It's time to sow! Or, is it? The gardening duo discuss the pressures of the modern-day propagation season. Plus, a notebook, Instagram? Saul slowly morphs into Lucy as he realises her way was a winner all along...
35 mins; January 24, 2026
Ep. 294 - It's back to business as usual, as the TalkingHeads duo reunite for 2026...Saul's new job is both exciting but a lot to process, and Lucy is in her garden with her new topiary tools!
35 mins; January 17, 2026
Ep. 293 - We hope you've enjoyed the first 10 days of January - Lucy, frustratingly, has had a false start. Her gardening has been sandwiched between snow and storms, so what do gardeners do when the winter weather plays havoc with their plans?
39 mins; January 10, 2026
Ep. 292 - It's the final episode! (of 2025, that is :-) This week, Saul prepares himself for life after Stonelands whilst Lucy performs some serious surgery on a mower. And what do the professional duo make of the RHS predictions for 2026? Tune in...
40 mins; December 20, 2025
Ep. 291 - This week we're joined by northern gardener and star of the Pots and Trowels podcast - Martin Fish - as we talk about the gardening year gone by, the one coming up and his garden at home.
42 mins; December 13, 2025
Ep. 290 - It's the custard cream episode! Lucy sandwiches some genuinely exciting gardening conversation in between two beautifully decorated vanilla biscuits this week - while Saul does his best to clear Stonelands of the Walker legacy...
33 mins; December 06, 2025
Ep. 289 - Not much gardening going on - but that doesn't mean the #TalkingHeads pair don't have some big news about their lives in Horticulture...has Lucy finally tracked down those custard creams....
32 mins; November 29, 2025
Ep. 288 - The teabreak episode! What does the working week of a modern professional gardener involve? As we delve inside Lucy's schedule, we discover what forms the backbone upon which winter physical work rests - a lot of tea and biscuits...
37 mins; November 22, 2025
Ep. 287 - Half a million downloads!!!! Thank you to all who listen to the professional horticultural duo that make up the Talking Heads podcast. Lucy and Saul celebrate this milestone with - you've guessed it - some top-quality hortiwaffle!
33 mins; November 08, 2025
Ep. 286 - While the wind whistles outside Saul and Lucy take a look at the RHS State of Gardening Report, an eye-opening look at the Horticultural world including the new RHS Hort Hub on their website
38 mins; November 01, 2025
Ep. 285 - Storm Benjamin has brought wind and rain this week, so how do Lucy and Saul deal with the natural deluge of leaves? Apples are also bountiful, and Saul explains how his orchard harvest goes to a very good cause
33 mins; October 25, 2025
Ep. 284 - Is Autumn colour starting in your garden - the Talking Heads pair are revelling in the buttery yellows and fiery reds as the transition from Summer really starts to kick in....
33 mins; October 11, 2025
Ep. 283 - This week, Lucy and Saul turn their attention towards key autumn tasks, like lawn care and hedge pruning. Plus, both gardeners have had machinery break down on them, which is a good excuse for a tinker - or a flex of the staff credit card!
35 mins; October 04, 2025
Ep. 282 - A listener's question special - Pelargoniums need overwintering, but how and where - and when overwintering in a greenhouse what's best for frost protection - the #TalkingHeads Pair discuss.
28 mins; September 27, 2025
Ep. 281 - It's the management episode! A Head Gardener's role involves many tasks, and managing staff, time, budgets, client expectations and other responsibilities within this job can be a juggle. Listen as Saul and Lucy discuss their experiences
34 mins; September 20, 2025
Ep. 280 - The #Horti-waffle pair reunite after Saul has enjoyed some well deserved holiday, and Lucy, being a dutiful child, has some father-daughter time rigging up a brassica cage.
35 mins; September 13, 2025
Ep. 279 - It's the tropicals episode! But, what's this? The podcasting duo have swapped brains, it appears, as Lucy talks you through her newly developed 'tropical' border
37 mins; September 06, 2025
Ep. 278 - It's Head Gardener time again! But, what exactly is the job description of a modern Head Gardener, and what kind of tasks should you expect (and not expect) to do? As ever, Saul and Lucy share their thoughts
34 mins; August 23, 2025
Ep. 277 - Time to get out and about as Lucy has been visiting the Fothergills Trials Grounds and Saul is keeping Stonelands ticking over through another pronounced dry spell - more Horticulture waffle at it's finest!
34 mins; August 16, 2025
Ep. 276 - There are jobs to juggle! Lucy and Saul discuss the tasks for summer, and how professional gardeners tread the fine line between tasks that achieve instant aesthetics, and those that give results in the future
35 mins; August 09, 2025
Ep. 275 - It's the start of the Summer holidays, and with Lucy away, Saul takes you on a little Saturday Trip to the Beach, his Garden and The Story of Emily.....
26 mins; August 03, 2025
Ep. 274 - Let's talk about tropicals and edibles! (but not in a way you would expect). The talking heads duo have a surprise for you this week.....
37 mins; July 26, 2025
Ep. 273 - Prepare for abundant weather (and machinery) discussions. Lucy is feeling rattled with the wind, while Saul isn't a fan of humidity. But of course, there are still plenty of gardening tasks for the professional gardening duo
33 mins; July 19, 2025
Ep. 272 - Mid-July is the mid point of the summer season where the garden is in full summer garb, long-hot days and lots of pruning, watering and dead heading occurs, but forget all that and get the BBQ out!
33 mins; July 12, 2025
Ep. 271 - Humidity has been rocketing this week, so the gardening duo have been finding ways to keep cool (handily for Saul, Stonelands has a river). But even in the heat, hedges have been cut and grass - what there is of it - has been mown.
33 mins; July 05, 2025
Ep. 270 - It's hot, hot, HOT! SO, how do two professional gardeners manage when daytime temperatures soar? And what key jobs are there to complete when everything in the garden is at summer's peak? Listen to Saul and Lucy as they explain all
35 mins; June 28, 2025
Ep. 269 - Well haven't the Talking Heads pair been in the health wars recently, it goes to show that not everything goes smoothly - but they are back and have a long chat about BBC Gardeners World Live and some of the garden questions Saul was posed.
34 mins; June 22, 2025
Ep. 268 - Saul takes you along on a 'Weekend in the Life' of a gardener - where it's a double header of Garden Society meet-ups - nattering, drinking tea and buying plants are what it's all about.
28 mins; June 08, 2025
Ep. 267 - It's finally here! The latest episode of the Talking Heads podcast is, at last LIVE. We talk about our successes and fails in the garden - and beyond (for Saul, it was leaving his beloved Devon for a few days...)
36 mins; June 01, 2025
Ep. 266 - It's the time in the middle of May where everyone talks about one thing in horticulture - The RHS Chelsea Flower Show - and so Lucy and Saul give you the highlights of their visit to this gardening extravaganza.
37 mins; May 24, 2025
Ep. 265 - Whilst Lucy (and the rest of the UK) performs a rain dance, Saul is experiencing his usual Devon weather - blow some our way, Saul! But his mind is rightly so on his 10-year anniversary as Stonelands Head Gardener - congratulations, Mr W!
36 mins; May 17, 2025
Ep. 264 - Post Gardener's World Spring Fair, the Talking Heads pair are in recovery mode, so gardening-lite is in order - but seed sowing, potting on exotic plants and working on the herbaceous borders are all in a weeks work.
32 mins; May 11, 2025
Ep. 263 - For the fifth year running Lucy and Saul are at BBC Gardeners World Spring Fair at the beautiful Beulieu in the New Forest - the pair are giving their usual Plant Expert Tours, selling books and catching up with all things Alice in Wonderland!
32 mins; May 06, 2025
Ep. 262 - Anyone for tennis? Saul has finally resolved his conundrum of how to clean up Stoneland's tennis court, while Lucy has been taking in the sights and sounds of a glorious Essex spring
37 mins; April 26, 2025
Ep. 261 - Saul is joined on this episode by Head of Horticultural Relations at the RHS, Emma Allen, to talk about her teams role in the horticultural charity, funding through bursaries and the new role of the Expert Groups.
37 mins; April 13, 2025
Ep. 260 - Magnolias are 'Go' in Essex! Of course, they've been Go in Devon for weeks, but Lucy's East Anglian location isn't as mild as Saul's in the South West. The duo also talk about peat policies, filming highlights and upcoming speaker bookings
33 mins; April 05, 2025
Ep. 259 - The signs of Spring are everywhere now - so Lucy and Saul indulge in a bit of Phenology - whether plants, insects, birds or piece of machinery appears - what's your herald that Spring has truly arrived?
35 mins; March 29, 2025
Ep. 258 - Spring is still springing! With yet more signs of this exciting season coming to life, Saul and Lucy explain how this week, they've both been taming flower borders in their respective clients' gardens
33 mins; March 22, 2025
Ep. 257 - The buoyant feeling of the garden continues on Talking Heads - Lucy and Saul are still drunk on the glory of Spring as this episode features nursery visits, planting new hedges and the debut of 'Horticultural News'!
36 mins; March 15, 2025
Ep. 256 - Spring is well and truly in the air - and Lucy and Saul are utterly smitten. The horticultural juices are once again in full flow, as the lengthening sunny days brings more time outside and the start to another wonderful garden year!
34 mins; March 08, 2025
Ep. 255 - It's more hortiwaffle! This week, Saul and Lucy discuss the first signs of spring - are they appearing, or are you a 'fool' to think so? We think a definite YES! With talk of crocus, iris and aconite our spring gardens are (gently) waking up
31 mins; March 01, 2025
Ep. 254 - The Talking Heads Duo are out and about, live at the Garden Press Event in London - to see new garden products, talk about new garden initiatives, but mostly to have a good chin-wag with a plethora of garden friends!
29 mins; February 22, 2025
Ep. 253 - Lucy and Saul get up extra early for this episode, to record a morning of car breakdowns, salty planting and whether it's a good idea to live in the garden you work at - and all without having a coffee!
34 mins; February 15, 2025
Ep. 252 - Cutting lawns, testing waterproofs, showcasing ladders, favourite gardening shows for 2025 - this week, Saul and Lucy are covering plenty of ground. Oh, and yoga whilst gardening - do you do it?
35 mins; February 08, 2025
Ep. 251 - Stormy winds, some Houseplants at RHS Rosemoor and Lucy moonlighting makes for this weeks Horti-waffleâ„¢ - as the Talking Heads pair continue to bring their gardening lives to your ears.
36 mins; February 01, 2025
Ep. 250 - It's another milestone for the Talking Heads Podcast! But rather than celebrate with a quiz, the duo mark the occasion with - you've guessed it - top notch horti-waffle :-)
39 mins; January 25, 2025
Ep. 249 - This week, Saul and Lucy have donned their RHS hats to participate in an information sharing session regarding plans for 2025. With water conservation, plants for a purpose and website developments on the agenda, we're in for an exciting year
36 mins; January 18, 2025
Ep. 248 - Happy New Year from the Talking Heads. 2025 is the 6th year of talking Horti-waffleâ„¢ on the podcast and we're both hoping for a successful and exciting gardening season ahead. So lets dive on in!
36 mins; January 11, 2025
Ep. 247 - In the last Talking Heads episode of 2024, Saul and Lucy are in reflective moods as they look back on the past 12 months and decide how they want to take 2025 forward
38 mins; December 21, 2024
Ep. 246 - In the wake of storm Darragh Saul and Lucy discuss tree loss, removal and renewal. A moment of sadness brings with it the silver lining of opportunity
33 mins; December 14, 2024
Ep. 245 - What does a gardener do when they are not gardening - and how do you fill half an hour of podcast when you haven't been outside doing any horticulture - well tune in and find out!
33 mins; December 07, 2024
Ep. 244 - Saul and Lucy have had busy weeks: sizing up storm Bert, analysing garden clothing, firing up flame guns and living it up at the Savoy. Just an ordinary week, then, for the modern professional gardener.
32 mins; November 30, 2024
Ep. 243 - This week conditions have gone chilly - as a distinct wintery change took place in our gardens - so Saul and Lucy put on an extra layer, grab some sharp tools and discuss what they do when the temperatures start with a minus!
39 mins; November 23, 2024
Ep. 242 - It's announcement time! Why has Lucy spent the past 20 months squirreled away at her computer, only breaking for photoshoots in her garden? (Drumroll....) - because she's written a brand new book! And of course, it's Grow Your Own related
28 mins; November 16, 2024
Ep. 241 - It's anticyclonic out there, but the gardening continues with Lucy returning from Scotland, fully snacked up and Saul, finally staying dry, while getting ready to plant garlic and give the lawns a "final" mow!
31 mins; November 09, 2024
Ep. 240 - Autumn is in full swing, but can you enjoy it while it continually rains - well Saul maybe moving East to where Lucy has remained dry - chased by the Wasps...it's always fun in the garden...
32 mins; October 27, 2024
Ep. 239 - The Talking Heads pair return, with Horti-waffle to boot - preapring our greenhouses, eating Chocolate Cake at Great Dixter, and discussing AGMs (Awards of Garden Merit) with our RHS colleagues.
40 mins; October 19, 2024
Ep. 237 - It's a question time special! Sian's bindweed, Andrew's wildflower meadow, Ben's raspberries and Matt's tomatoes all get the Talking Heads treatment - plus, we report back on Lucy's recent garden tour of the SouthWest
43 mins; September 28, 2024
Ep. 236 - For the past few weeks Lucy and Saul have been all round the UK visiting gardens, trialling vegetables and enjoying UK horticulture at it's finest, so here are some of the highlights.
34 mins; September 14, 2024
Ep. 235 - As summer slides into Autumn, Lucy and Saul can be found at BBC Gardeners World Autumn Fair at the beautiful Audley End leading tours of the Walled Garden with the English Heritage team, here are some highlights.
39 mins; September 07, 2024
Ep. 234 - It's Lucy's birthday! Very self-indulgently, she celebrates her milestone with a solo episode that describes 50 jobs that you can complete in your garden right NOW. Resting on your laurels in the summer sun? Not on our watch...
50 mins; August 24, 2024
Ep. 233 - It's time for the great East/West divide! While Saul is wrapped up in his Devonshire dungarees and long sleeves, Lucy is sweltering in Essex in anything but - as the UK conforms to its traditional weather patterns, for now...
31 mins; August 17, 2024
Ep. 232 - Is August the least favourite month for gardening, controversial but Lucy and Saul have a chat about it, plus trimming your dangling beans and how to break into some Garden writing.
35 mins; August 10, 2024
Ep. 231 - It's been hot! The professional gardening duo discuss how best to tackle watering in these high temperatures, and with school summer holidays in full swing we also showcase some family-friendly projects courtesy of the RHS
33 mins; August 03, 2024
Ep. 230 - The weather may dampen a few spirits, but gardening continues as Lucy visits RHS Wisley to trial some Tomatoes, Saul's first Ginger has flowered and listeners share some of their self-employed gardening experiences.
34 mins; July 27, 2024
Ep. 229 - Summer is here! The weather is warming, and growth is abundant. Garlic, broad beans and Florence fennel get discussed, plus Saul and Lucy are concerned by the apparent lack of birds and bees
36 mins; July 20, 2024
Bonus Episode #20 - Saul and Lucy are joined in conversation by Scottish self-employed gardener Susan Stephen - who won our 200th anniversary quiz - and found the career of gardening to be both healing and immensely rewarding
47 mins; July 13, 2024
Ep. 228 - Join Saul in his back garden where the tasks are never ending - so he spends a day looking after his collection of Jungle plants, focusing on how he feeds and setting up the start of his potential micro-nursery.
31 mins; July 07, 2024
Ep. 227 - Returning to our gardens after BBCGWL, it's a wall of heat and humidity, but that doesn't stop Lucy and Saul with questions from listeners on Agretti and (weirdly) Waterproof coats, failing Sweet Peas and the need for ice cream!
36 mins; June 29, 2024
BBC GWLive 2024 Bonus Episode: Saul and Lucy are at the BBC Gardeners World Live show at the NEC for another year as the Plant Experts, giving tours of the Floral Marquee, answering garden queries and running brand new Workshops on Houseplants and GYO.
32 mins; June 17, 2024
Ep. 226 - What's better than looking after all your favourite plants, well buying new ones of course. And that's what Saul is up to as he takes you along on his visit to the Tregrehan Rare Plant Fair.
35 mins; June 08, 2024
Ep. 225 - It's the Grow Your Own episode! Lucy takes you on a tour of her home plot, where she's been applying all she's learnt about growing delicious fruits, vegetables and herbs
36 mins; June 01, 2024
Ep. 224 - The RHS Chelsea Flower show happens with a floral big bang every year, and Lucy and Saul bring you some of their highlights as they get a privileged Monday preview.
39 mins; May 26, 2024
Ep. 223 - Our gardens are ramping up! Whether it's edibles on their plots or ornamentals at Stonelands and Beth Chattos, Saul and Lucy can see that the rate of growth has hit warp speed - and talking of things speeding along, it's almost Chelsea o'clock
35 mins; May 17, 2024
Ep. 222 - It's been a whole year, but Talking Heads is back at Beaulieu for their annual outing at BBC Gardeners World Spring Fair - leading tours and running workshops - its one of the most enjoyable parts of the year!
31 mins; May 06, 2024
Ep. 221 - Blossom season is upon us, and what a season we're having. Orchards are heaving with flower, so Lucy and Saul discuss the impacts of having an Orchard and visiting the National Fruit collection at Brogdale.
32 mins; April 27, 2024
Ep. 220 - It's the greenhouse special! Lucy gives you a guided tour of her beloved greenhouse, explaining how she manages light, temperature, location, space and cropping cycles to gain optimum performance from this precious under cover area
31 mins; April 17, 2024
Ep. 219 - This week, we discuss the 3 Ps: Precipitation, Propagation and Pests - all three of them are in full swing in Devon and Essex! Pls accept our apologies for expletives...
35 mins; April 13, 2024
Ep. 218 - With more rain scheduled in Devon, most of Saul's gardening at the moment is under cover, and that's when his Houseplant collection keeps his plant addiction thriving, so join him for some Houseplant chat.
31 mins; April 07, 2024
Ep. 217 - When will the rain stop? Who knows, but until then the Talking Heads pair bring you more Horticultural waffle looking at grow lights, where to get a good Garden job and Alpine plants.
34 mins; March 30, 2024
Ep. 216 - Join Lucy and Saul in their Essex and Devon gardens as Spring unfolds, the gardening pair bring you along as they bask in the glory of the season's blossom and check their precious vegetable seedlings.
35 mins; March 23, 2024
Ep. 215 - Is it Spring, is it not spring - that's the question as Lucy and Saul continue to wrestle their wet gardens into fit shape, and one of the projects you can do is creating Raised Beds, the subject of this weeks guest David Hurrion's new book.
31 mins; March 16, 2024
Ep. 214 - Lack of gardening, the Eden Project and perennial vegetables - thats the kind of Horticultural waffle the Talking Heads pair like as they finally return to their usual format (oh and don't forget the weather!)
46 mins; March 10, 2024
Ep. 213 - Join Lucy at the Garden Press Event - the starting herald to the gardening season where the horticultural media meet exhibitors with new products and new media campaigns, plus a small cameo from Saul!
38 mins; March 02, 2024
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!)
35 mins; February 17, 2024
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
32 mins; February 08, 2024
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.
33 mins; January 31, 2024
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
38 mins; January 23, 2024
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!
34 mins; January 21, 2024
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
36 mins; January 13, 2024
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.
36 mins; January 06, 2024
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.
35 mins; December 23, 2023