Trowels and Tribulations
By Phillip Airey
Trowels and TribulationsMar 13, 2021
E28 The Great Yorkshire Show
In This episode we talk about the Great Yorkshire show. greatyorkshireshow.co.uk
We meet up with James Mason the CEO of Welcome to Yorkshire www.yorkshire.com/
Hillary talks about growing fruit as part of the thenorthernfruitgroup.com/
And as the Harrogate flowers shows moves to www.newbyhall.com/ we talk to Derek about what we have install this Autumn www.flowershow.org.uk
E27 RHS Tatton flower Show
In this episode we talk about The RHS Tatton flower show.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-flower-show-tatton-park A fabulous day out bursting with colourful gardening inspiration, fun family activities, have-a-go workshops and boutique shopping
Faith talked about her time at Tatton with Cherry Graham https://cherrycarmen.co.uk/ and meeting photographer Charlotte Graham https://www.charlottegraham.photography/
Sarah is building a showgarden with Richard Easton https://richardeastongardens.com/ and Rob Hardy https://robhardy.co.uk/ and they are building the show garden for https://www.macmillan.org.uk/
E26 All round to Faith's garden
In this episode we all go round to Faiths garden for a natter, a chat, a chinwag.... and a brew (tea). Gardens are just a extension to any house. If you are lucky enough to have a garden and if the weather is nice, you must to go out and breath in that fresh air. The fresh air is good for your body and the chat with friends makes you feel good.
Faith also does Tree of the pod. Pinus Sylvestris
Scots pine is an evergreen conifer native to northern Europe. Mature trees grow to 35m and can live for up to 700 years. The bark is a scaly orange-brown, which develops plates and fissures with age. Scots Pine is Scotland's national tree. It is a native of the once extensive Caledonian pine forests and is the only timber-producing conifer native to Scotland. It's known as a pioneer species, due to its ability to regenerate and thrive in poor soils.
Enjoy
E25 Tree climbing with Jessica Herbert
Jessica Herbert is a lecturer in arboriculture, arborist and former competitive tree climber. In this episode, she talks about the world of tree climbing championships and the career opportunities for tree lovers.
E24 Thorp Perrow Fairy Trail
In this episode we walk through the gardens and woodlands of Thorp Perrow in North Yorkshire. We enter the fairy trail and see what we can see. Follow the trail through the enchanted wood, home to fairies, pixies and a host of other magical creatures. However its more of a "lets see what we can make Phil do" rather than a gardening podcast but we loved it and hope you do to. https://thorpperrow.com/blog-post-title-3-2/
E23 The Spring Essentials show. Sponsored by Colour it in
In the episode we are set free at the Harrogate flower show. It was a wonderful 4 days. https://www.flowershow.org.uk/
Our sponsor for this episode is https://www.colouritin.co.uk/ "An alternative creative company". please give them a visit.
We got to see so many people like.....
https://www.martinfish.com/
https://wackswickedplants.co.uk/
https://www.alchemyferns.co.uk/
https://www.jonathan-moseley.com/
Enjoy
E22 The build up to the Harrogate Flower show
In this episode we bring you a behinds the scene tour of the the show gardens at the wonderful Harrogate flower show 2021
https://www.flowershow.org.uk/
http://nicholasedwardgardens.com/
https://harrogategardendesign.co.uk/
https://www.loweslandscapes.co.uk/
https://www.riponlandscapes.co.uk/
https://www.faithdouglas.co.uk/about/
https://www.horticap.org/
E21 Mental health awareness week special with Emz Finch
"Mental health awareness week special"
In this episode We talk to Emz Finch
Emz is a contemporary artist, living and working from her home studio in South West London. Her work is strongly influenced by nature and the great outdoors, having grown up on a National Trust farm on the Stourhead estate. She has a particular interest in impressionism and likes to make paintings that focus on bold colour and a striking marks. Emz has painted all her life, and after a successful career in the city and then in TV, she took it up professionally after having her daughter in 2017. Since then, Emz has completed a foundation at the London Fine Art Studios, won a scholarship to the Creative Visionary Programme 2019 and sells work online and through First View Gallery in Wiltshire.
Emz has been disabled all her adult life following a failed hip replacement when she was just 18. Painting is has played a huge part in her mental health and acceptance of the disability. It allows her the space to feel herself again and has helped a huge deal to come to terms with life with reduced mobility.
I’ve had two miscarriages during lockdown. Both at 12 weeks. Both ending in operations, the first one an emergency op after hours of trauma in hospital alone. I came away from this with no indication that my mental health might be effected, and absolutely no follow up or support when I reached out to the hospital to tell them about the debilitating flashbacks I’d be having. I was diagnosed with PTSD and waited 6 months for CBT therapy, then sadly had another miscarriage at the end of Feb this year. I had an experience in my local woods one day when I saw a pebble in a tree that said ‘be happy’, the trees compelled me to lay under the tree and within seconds I was breathing deeply. I started to feel better, started to see colour again and the only way I could describe what had happened was to paint it. That was the first tree, nearly 10 weeks ago. And I now have over 80 trees in my studio. You can see a few of them on my instagram feed. I’ll need several hundred to realise my dream of creating this space - a space for everyone to come and lay down and reflect on what they may have lost during lockdown.
In the short term, I need some money to buy more paint and canvasses, so I’ll be selling art prints of two of the trees for one week 10th - 16th May (mental health awareness week - which this year has the theme of nature). Anything you can do to share my project during this week would be so amazing.
In the medium to long term I need to find a venue and a sponsor/philanthropist/grants/gallery/charity to be able to put this on. I’m trying to speak to as many people as I can at the moment to see what leads I can generate.
Best wishes
Emz x
07770398205
www.emzfinchart.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/emzfinchart
E20 Forest Bathing
In the episode we talk and the benefits of Forests and nature and how this will help with your mental wellbeing.
Faith talks about Forest bathing. https://www.faithdouglas.co.uk/
'Connect with nature in nature', 'connect with yourself in nature' and 'connect with others in nature'.
Being in a natural environment improves the health of our bodies and minds and can improve our overall quality of life.
At Forest Bathing UK we offer organised mindful connections within a natural environment to benefit all.
E19 Resurrected Bites foodbank
In this episode we talk to Michelle Hayes from Resurrected Bites food bank in Harrogate. https://resurrectedbites.co.uk/
They say through the love for creation and in the knowledge that 30% of the UK’s food goes to waste, we felt challenged to change things in our district. We want to fill bellies not bins, to ensure good quality food is not going to waste.
Resurrected Bites is partnered with Fareshare, Neighbourly and Harrogate Waste Not Want Not. With the help of these organisations, we ‘intercept’ good quality ingredients that were destined for landfill. Our chefs then create delicious dishes from hearty breakfasts to lovely lunches and divine desserts! All are served in a welcoming environment and when it comes to the bill you ‘pay as you feel’ – there’s no set charge.
Any donations you give help to cover the minimum £290 which it costs to run each cafe and we love to raise money for charity too. Thank you for supporting us and giving with your heart.
E18 "Ales in the Dales" special
In the Episode we talk about a project to turn a car park into a the best beer garden in the world. Bringing the Yorkshire dales to The Yorkshire Hotel.
We talk to Nick Fryer http://nicholasedwardgardens.com/ and Simon Cotton https://www.the-yorkshire.co.uk/ and husband and wife team Jason and Tracey Potter from https://www.livingstonewalling.co.uk/
Living Stone are passionate about the craft of dry stone walling and what a fabulous job they did.
The Yorkshire Hotel is located in the heart of historic Harrogate, on the edge of the Yorkshire dales.
Centrally located and with traditional features, the hotel offers everything you might need for a great break in Harrogate, including a choice of bedroom styles, bar and restaurant.
E17 Rudding Park
In this episode we talk to Rudding Park Kitchen Gardener, Fiona Slight. She has the enviable task of growing a fantastic array of produce for the team to use in the Kitchens and also create a haven for guests to explore and reconnect with nature. At Rudding Park her focus is to produce the freshest, tastiest fruit and vegetables to the highest quality for the hotel chefs. She follows organic principles and grows as sustainably as possible. Fiona tries to ensure there is produce every month of the year and that the kitchen garden is not only productive but is also a feast for the eyes too”.
https://www.ruddingpark.co.uk/
E16 Easter time
In this episode we talk about Easter and all the joys of spring.
Sarah talks to Phil Airey (co host) about his gardening life
Thought of the pod - Easter
E15 The Hedgerow
In the episode is about the hedgerow.
Phil interviews John Hulbert @johnhulbert.drystonewalling about the art of hedge Laying. https://www.facebook.com/johnhulbert.drystonewalling
Tree of the Pod - Weeping Willow (Salix Babylonica)
Plant of the pod - Sarah explains how wonderful the hedging favorite Blackthorn is (Prunus Spinosa)
and thought of the pod - Faith talks about the simple daffodil (Narcissus)
E14 The Christopher Columbus Park interview
In this episode we were honoured to speak to Joanne and Robyn from the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park, Boston, Massachusetts.
https://www.foccp.org/about
The purpose of FOCCP shall be to encourage, promote, enhance, and coordinate efforts of residents, neighbours, area businesses and institutions, and the Department of Parks and Recreation of the City of Boston (Park Landlord) in promoting, improving, maintaining, and utilizing Boston's Christopher Columbus Park.
I hidden gem for those visiting Boston. With a beautiful vista of the harbour, its a great relaxing park for everyone.
E13 Spring has sprung
Have you missed us. After our winter break we are back
In this episode its just Phil and Sarah talking about spring and life. With parts of the world starting to look forward to some normality, our gardens are doing what they always do.... Springing into life. Get into your gardens and enjoy the sights and smells of spring.... Enjoy
P.s Faith will be back in our next outing
E12 Christmas Edition
This is our festive podcast , We talk about Christmas and of course "moss balls". ... again
Plant of the Pod - Hedera helix, Ivy is an evergreen, woody climber.
Tree of the pod - The Christmas tree of choice.... The Nordmann Fir is the king of the trees, its needles will stay attached throughout the festive season. No more needles in your feet
Plant of the pod - Mistletoe is an evergreen plant with distinctive forked branches and pairs of symmetrical evergreen leaves. In winter it produces clusters of pearlescent white berries which are favourites with hungry birds such as thrushes
Thought of the Pod - Winter wellness
We will return next year. 2021... Until then... Merry Christmas and a happy new year
P.s Keep it green
E11 Gin with Jam
Gin with Jam - We Interview Jamila Juma-Ware (Jam) about Tailors gin and using plants to enhance their gin.
To find more information go to www.tailorsgin.com/our-story
Tree of the Pod - Fagus sylvatica, the European beech or common beech, is a deciduous tree
Plant of the pod - Schlumbergera a epiphytic cacti commonly known as Christmas cactus
E10 Care for Christmas trees
Plant of the pod is Schlumbergera - Christmas Catus
Tree of the pod - Norway spruce - Picea abies
Thought of the pod - The wind they are a changin
E9 To prune or not to prune
Fact of the pod - Saffron
Thought of the pod - The air that we breath
Things will get back to normal in December so keep tuned. We are all back in the studio and send us your gardening questions.
E8 Sculptures with Steve Blaylock
We talk to Steve Blaylock metalsculpture.co.uk/
From the humble beetle to the majestic oak, his sculptures are of many diverse subjects and sizes. From almost life size dragonflies to 30 foot lizards, owls with 16 foot wingspans and spiders that are big enough to carry you off.
All his sculptures contain or are made of entirely from the last Sheffield stainless steel ever manufactured in the UK. This includes the Blue Peter Ship that now resides in the public garden at Media City.
E7 Herbs with Andy Berry
urban-herbs.co.uk/
We are based in the Midlands in the heart of Birmingham. We don’t have a retail base but everyone is welcome in our online store. Here, you can find a huge range of living flavour. We love growing things and are slightly obsessed with herbs and spices – can you tell? We believe that exciting flavours make life better.
We are a young company, operated by foodies who genuinely love the flavours that we sell. We share the joy and excitement of growing that we have discovered and only wish you could smell our amazing plants through the screen of your phone or tablet. Our greatest joy is making growing exciting and accessible to all - regardless of previous experience with growing. Herbs are such an accessible, easy and enjoyable way to begin a relationship with growing. You won't look back. We certainly haven't.
We are a family business and service to customers is at the forefront of our business. We really do care about your satisfaction. When you enjoy the flavours that we sell it really does make us happy. Your feedback is so important to us. Now please explore, browse and enjoy our virtual herb farm. We really hope that you feel inspired. Reach out and follow us on Instagram where we love sharing our joy of growing.
E6 Effects of Covid and guest Graham Porter
We go to Halifax to join Claire on her first allotment
Plant of the Pod - Shasta Daisy - Leucanthemum is a commonly grown flowering herbaceous perennial plant with the classic daisy appearance of white petals around a yellow disc, similar to the oxeye daisy
We speak to Graham Porter FCIHort., Cert.Ed. The garden expert on BBC Radio Leeds
E5 Halloween Special
We talk about the creepy and dark side of plants.
Wacks wicked plants tell use how carnivorous plants devour their pray
Thought of the pod - Halloween and what to do with your pumpkin. Till next time.... keep it scream 😈👻🎃
E4 Autumn and Carnivorous plants
Job of the pod - Bulbs
Interview with the wonderful people of Wacks Wicked Plants. They are North-Yorkshire based, nursery, and grow, display and sell Carnivorous Plants at Shows and Fairs. They started as a backyard nursery in Knaresborough, and moved to the beautiful village of Scampston in 2015 to enable them to grow the nursery. Now its all online so please email info@wackswickedplants.co.uk or call 07530 176624 for an appointment.
wackswickedplants.co.uk/ www.scampston.co.uk/
Thought of the pod - The seasons
Thank you for listening and please subscribe but till next time... Keep it green
E3 Moss balls and Kindlewoods
We talk about Moss balls and its more fascinating than you might think
Job of the pod - Harvesting and storing potatoes
Plant of the pod - Judas tree - Cercis siliquastrum
Interview with Katie Rees from KindleWoods
KindleWoods CIC is a woodland social enterprise based in North Yorkshire. From mental health to coppicing, we are a skilled, hardworking team who use creative, evidenced based approaches to tackle the root causes of our major social and environmental challenges. Passionate about empowering and engaging our community, we use a combination of our skills and experience to run transformative woodland wellbeing programmes and sustainably manage local woodland. www.kindlewoods.com/
Thought of the pod - Listen to the dawn chorus but do you listen to the evening chorus
Thank you for listening and please subscribe. We would love to hear your questions too.
Till next time ..... Keep it green
E2 Horticap and our very own Sarah Owen Hughes
We talk about Horticap A great Charity in Harrogate. www.horticap.org
Job of the pod - Leaves are coming.
Pest of the pod - Wooly aphids - Eriosomatinae
Tree of the pod - Betula pendula, commonly known as silver birch
Interview with Sarah Owen Hughes MICHort
Thought of the pod - The sky above
Thank you for listening and please subscribe. We would love to hear your questions too.
Till next time ..... Keep it green
E1 Our first and guest Philip Gomersall BEM
In this episode
Job of the pod - Dig um out, Time to dig your potatoes up before the slugs get them. Time also to plant your winter veg.
Fact of the pod - Where does 85% of plant live grow ?
Plant of the pod - Cercidiphyllum japonicum, known as the katsura, is a species of flowering tree in the family Cercidiphyllaceae native to China and Japan. It is sometimes called caramel tree for the light caramel smell it emits during leaf fall
Thought of the pod - Herbal Tea, The antioxidants and vitamins found in herbal teas are great for helping fight disease and infections, protect against oxidative stress
Our guest this episode is Philip Gomersall, President of the National Allotment Society.
Desert island digs - Phil takes us down to his secret allotment