As the Season Turns

For October, we follow the vast, though little understood migration of the European eel. We hear the tale of Merlin's apples, ponder why October's full moon is known as the Hunter's Moon, and wonder when the first frosts will reach us. 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern and presented by the nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of every month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below.

In September's episode, we track the slow drift into autumn. Hearing a tale of Ganesh and the moon, we explore the names for September's full moon. We visit the border between France and Switzerland for a very special cheese, follow the migrations of Nathusius' pipistrelle bats, and encounter the spirit of the corn. 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern and presented by the nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of every month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below.

We trace the epic migrations of dragonflies along with the rasping music of the grasshopper chorus. We discuss the wonders of the Perseids meteor shower (look up on the 13th and 14th of this month) and walk through a garden meditation for August.⁠ 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern and presented by the nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of every month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below.

In this episode, we celebrate the rich offerings of July, the 'Month of the Hay'. We check in on the hedgerows, discover the delights of oxeye daisies, and explore what's happening in the skies this month, reflecting on the names for July's full moon. ⁠ ⁠ 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern and presented by the nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of every month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below.

For our June episode, we plan for summer. We revisit the dormice and hedgehogs we saw nesting in earlier months, check in on the ever-changing flowers of the hedgerows, hear of the epic migrations of painted lady butterflies, and explore the folk traditions surrounding midsummer. 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern and presented by the nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of every month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below.

For the May episode of our podcast, we explore the changing hedgerows, the traditions and folklore surrounding May Day, why primroses might help with fairies, the return of the swallows and the names of the full moon: Mother’s Moon, Bright Moon and Flower Moon. 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern and presented by the nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of every month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below.

For April, we explore the changing hedgerows, the beauty of the bluebell, how to navigate by the crescent moon, the flowers to pick and the flowers to plant and why decorated eggs came to be associated with Easter. 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern and presented by the nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of every month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below.

For March, we explore the traditional names for the month, the moons and the tides, the changing hedgerows, the hedgehogs coming out of hibernation, the migration of Bewick’s swans and the history and folklore surrounding the humble daffodil. 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern and presented by the nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of every month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below.

'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern and presented by the nature writer and author of the Seasonal Almanac Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of every month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below. February is the second in the series. For this month we explore the Romani name for February, why it is the time for plans and new beginnings, the blue tit’s mating rituals, the migration of the toad and the moons that will grace our night sky. Each of the monthly chapters in Lia’s almanac end with a folk song - for February Lia brings one to life, singing a traditional shanty. A Recipe for Blood Orange Polenta Drizzle Cake A sunny cake for a gloomy time of year making use of the fleeting blood orange crop. Catch it while you can (though this will work with naval oranges - or indeed any citrus - the rest of the year). For the cake 175g caster sugar 4 large eggs 325g fine semolina 200g plain flour 225ml olive oil 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder Zest of 5 blood oranges and juice of 2 Drizzle, icing and topping Juice of 3 blood oranges 1 1/2 tablespoons orange flower water About 4 tablespoons icing sugar 50g pistachios, roughly chopped Preheat your oven to 200C/gas mark 6 and oil a 23cm cake tin and line with baking parchment. Beat the eggs and sugar together, then add the rest of the cake ingredients and mix until well combined. Pour into the cake tin, smooth down, and bake for between 30-40 minutes, or until it is well risen and golden brown and a cocktail stick inserted into the centre comes out clean. While it is baking prepare the syrup by mixing the juice of two of the oranges plus the flower water with 2 tablespoons icing sugar. When the cake comes out of the oven, leave it in its tin and prick it all over with the cocktail stick. Slowly pour over the syrup and leave to cool. Remove from the tin. Make a thin icing by sifting 2 tablespoons icing sugar into the juice of the final orange plus a little water if needed. Drizzle it over the cake then scatter over the pistachios, and serve.

'As the Season Turns' begins with January - an episode in which the nature writer Lia Leendertz takes us through the origins of the month’s name, as well as January’s moons, tides and folklore traditions. 'As the Season Turns' is created by Ffern - a natural fragrance maker based in Somerset. Working with the rhythms of the seasons, they blend, barrel-age and bottle four fragrances a year, released at the equinox and solstice. Each fragrance is made to order for the names on the Ffern production ledger. To join the ledger and find out more visit www.ffern.co