As the Season Turns

In February's episode, we make a St Brigid's Day pilgrimage from Faughart to Kildare, exploring the links between Brigid, Imbolc and Candlemas. We plant bulbs 'in the green', find out what's in season and check in with our oak tree, who is providing safe harbour for some bright winter visitors. '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. Ffern is an organic fragrance maker based in Somerset. You can learn more about Ffern's seasonal eau de parfum at ffern.co

For our first episode of 2022, we begin a year-long acquaintance with the English oak. We head inside the beehive, explore the history of wassailing, and follow the epic migration of the humpback whale. We find out what's in season and check in with winter's brightest bird: the robin. '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. Ffern is an organic fragrance maker based in Somerset. You can learn more about Ffern's seasonal eau de parfum at ffern.co Wassailing Words “Here’s to thee, old apple-tree, Whence thou may’st bud, and whence thou may’st blow, And whence thou may’st bear apples enow Hats full! caps full! Bushel-bushel-sacks full, And my pockets full, too, huzza!”

For December, we go carolling for the full moon and enjoy the midwinter charm of Christmas roses. We make a pilgrimage to Stone Henge for the winter solstice, follow the redwing's migration patterns, and touch upon the different types of frost. '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 colourful November episode, we celebrate winter's brightest flowers, chrysanthemums. We share a recipe for bonfire toffee apples, explore nature's November fireworks - the Leonids meteor shower - and spend time with the remarkable Atlantic salmon, who will be swimming upriver this month. '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. *RECIPE* Bonfire toffee apples Bonfire toffee is the dark toffee rich in black treacle, associated with Bonfire Night and particularly loved in the North of England. It is so hard that it has to be smashed into pieces when made in a tray, but it is slightly easier to eat wrapped around apples on sticks. Only partake if you are confident of your fillings! Any eating apples will work, but those with a sharp or very distinctive flavour will be particularly good. You will need a sugar thermometer. Makes 8 toffee apples Ingredients 8 apples 8 sticks (apple tree prunings look great) Sunflower oil 125ml hot water 450g muscovado sugar 115g black treacle 115g golden syrup ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar Method Put the apples into a large bowl, pour a kettle of boiled water over them, and leave for a few minutes to remove the waxy coating that would prevent the toffee from sticking. Pour away the water and pat the apples dry, then remove their stalks and push a stick into each. Put parchment paper on a flat baking tray with baking parchment, and rub it all over with oil. Line a small baking tray with baking parchment, and oil that well, too, ready for any excess toffee. Gently heat the water and the sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, without stirring (you can swish the pan a little if you need to) until the sugar has dissolved. Oil a bowl and measure the black treacle and golden syrup into it, then pour that into the sugar and water mixture. Add the cream of tartar, and swish again to lightly mix everything. Turn up the heat and bring the mixture to the boil. Continue boiling until it reaches 140 C on the sugar thermometer, sometimes labelled ‘soft crack’ (this may take some time but don’t leave the toffee unattended). As soon as it reaches that point, remove it from the heat and work quickly to roll your apples in the toffee, letting the excess drip off (you want as thin a coating as possible) and then placing them ‘stick up’ on the oiled parchment. Pour any excess onto the small lined baking tray. Leave to cool completely. The toffee in the small baking tray will have to be smashed into shards with a hammer, in the traditional manner.

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.