English Podcast Lessons. At the Garden Centre

At the Garden Centre

At the Garden Centre 
Una manera más ágil y cómoda de aprender inglés, a través de entrevistas a personas nativas sobre temas de actualidad. 
 







Nos encontramos en un vivero, Margaret, su propietaria, nos recibe y nos explica como ha logrado el éxito en su centro de jardinería... su amor a las plantas, empeño y entusiasmo han hecho que este negocio además de rentable, sea una manera de vivir la vida. 

Good Morning and welcome to the English podcast lessons.

In this second class we are going to visit a garden centre. It´s Owner, Margaret, opened this centre three years ago, and since the first day she knew that it would be a great success. Her secret is loving plants, patience and an optimistic way of life.

Hello Margaret, and thank you for having us here.

Hello and welcome to our garden centre.

What a lovely place. Where do all these plants come from?

We grow some from seeds in our green houses, and we bring others from Galicia, Murcia and Valencia. We start very early in the year with our seeds, using special lighting and heating. Lots of these plants are annuals for example Petunias, Pansies, Begonias and Marigolds.

Some of the plants are grown from cuttings from previous year’s plants, like geraniums, chrysanthemums and hydrangea. These are not all annuals. 

What plants do you buy from Galicia?

Mostly hydrangea, lilac and camellias as they really grow well there because of the climate. These plants need a lot of moisture and there is certainly a lot of that in Galicia.

What about Murcia?

We usually bring jasmine, palms and in general plants that need a warmer climate. Most of these plants have to be protected in winter because the climate here in Madrid is much colder.

What else do you sell? I see that you also have trees.

Yes we have trees, olives from Jaen, the pinsapo conifer from Gracalema and all types of fruit trees which we bring from Valencia. One of my favorites is the Ginko Biloba. It is really a conifer although the leaves fall in autumn and it is the only survivor of a serious of trees that existed two hundred million years ago.

We can supply practically any type of tree that you could possibly want. The orange, mandarin and lemon trees need a lot of protection in Winter but it is possible to cultivate them.

Do you sell plants for vegetables?

Yes, we grow most from seed too, we have tomatoes, aubergines, cucumber, lettuce, carrots and leeks. Later on in the year we also sell seed potatoes. Lots of people like to grow their own vegetables. They have a completely different taste when they are picked from the garden.

What about spring bulbs, do you sell these? They are so beautiful….

Yes, we sell them in autumn as they must be planted then to give flowers in spring. We sell tulip, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs amongst many others.

I see that you have a shop too.

Yes, we sell all sorts of products for plants, plant pots, watering cans and in general all that you could need or want for your garden.

Do you design gardens for people?

Yes, of course we design gardens, large and small. We also install watering systems and we have gardeners who can help with the maintenance of gardens.

This is incredible work for an incredible woman! I can see that you really enjoy it and also that you are a great professional.

Thank you. And we are here for whatever you need. Next week we will receive special roses from England and France, you cannot miss them. The most beautiful roses in the World are cultivated there.

No, I won´t, but Margaret, I have a personal question, I need to buy a plant for a friend who has just had a baby, what do you recommend…