Garden Ramblings

2022 Trailer Information on upcoming episodes throughout the year

Why do we carve pumpkins for Halloween?
 Chillingham Castle is the most Haunted Castle in England.  We pay a visit to its gorgeous garden and surrounding parkland.  Dare we venture inside? 
Why are we so afraid of witches?  We really shouldn't be!  
Scary flowers anyone?  I give you my top 5 weird, wonderful and truly strange flowers.
Join me for a Halloween Garden Ramble 🧙‍♀️🌱😃 I love a ramble together. 

There's an intriguing title.

In this episode I welcome Autumn in a spectacular fashion!  I discuss the old art of pressing flowers, have you done that? 

There is a history item that relates to Peter and Paul ...and its not the birds... The twin monasteries  of St Peter's in Sunderland and St Paul's in Jarrow -  including the Venerable Bede.

Finally there is flower of the month and that is revealed at the end.

For access to my new website click here

Poppies, Peat and Pots

Hello and welcome to my August podcast. Listen in for chat about the weather (oh yes!), my memories of August summers, climate change and what we can all do to help with this big issue.

I also share some tips on what garden jobs can be done in August … I’m sure you are aware but a reminder is always useful isn’t it?

Do you know the history of Hylton Castle? In this episode I talk about the castle, the Hylton family and that today the castle is owned by English Heritage and has, thanks to lottery funding, been sympathetically restored. The front of the castle boasts the most beautiful patch of wildflowers; a credit to the volunteers who help maintain grounds. Among them are cosmos, cornflowers of all colours, candy tuft, campion, common yarrow, and poppies! Poppies are everywhere and this extraordinary flower is my flower of the month. 

There are 120 species of poppy!  Do you know what red poppies symbolise? Listen in for more information on this fabulous wildflower … I’m talking Greek mythology and ancient Egypt too. I also read The Flower by Alfred Lord Tennyson and share information about my Best Shot, which this month has to be the wildflowers in front of Hylton Castle which includes the gorgeous red poppies.

To see the flower photos relating to this podcast click  the link https://www.gardenramblings.co.uk 
Don’t forget that you can subscribe to Garden Ramblings on whichever platform you use to listen to your podcasts. Just click the Subscribe button and you’ll never miss an episode.

 Is it all about the sweet peas?

The answer is no..its not! 🤣 In this podcast I have introduced ‘News Time’ talking about gardens, photography, hints, tips and snippets that I have picked up and thought might be useful to share with you.

My news items for July have come from The Royal Horticultural Society website: I introduce tips and reminders from checking your clematis for wilt, dead heading, checking courgettes and more. Most importantly, after all I am a professional photographer not a gardener, remember to take photographs of your garden to remind yourself of what is there! Or hire me to do it for you.

So, to the fabulous sweet peas … I haven’t grown them for a long time as they need quite a lot of nurturing but this year I have. What do you know about sweet peas? In my podcast I discuss, amongst other things, that sweet peas have various symbolic meanings. My favourite purple sweet pea, for example, is associated with royalty and pride.

Also do you know what happens if you plant sweet peas on St Patrick’s Day? Do you know the origins of sweet peas? Just listen to find out.

I love a poem, do you? In this latest podcast I read a snippet of ‘I stood tip-toe upon a little hill’ by John Keats:

Finally, I talk about my best shot this month …and surprise, surprise it’s NOT a sweet pea!!

PS: listen right to the end … for some really amusing outtakes 🤣!

The history and legends of Tynemouth Castle and Priory.  Ever heard of Jingling Geordie?
My new Website address is https://www.gardenramblings.co.uk

As a professional Landscaper based in Newcastle -Upon-Tyne,   Gemma Bell Saunders of MBS Gardens is well placed to chat about all things gardening.  What’s new, what’s popular and.....do people still love a garden gnome? 

Join me for a few minutes time out from your hectic day and enjoy a stroll on part of Bede's Way. 

 Bede's Way connects the two historic monasteries of St Paul's in Jarrow and St Peter's in Sunderland. 

( Apologies for the sound quality of this 5 minute bonus podcast)

A candid talk with Dr Rebecca Williams Dinsdale. What means to be diagnosed and live with a chronic illness,  myalgic encephalomyelitis.  Also known as CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome. 

“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.”― Vivian Greene