Practice Tests
IELTS Listening Part 2 #7
Tapescript
Emma Carter:
Hello everyone! My name's Emma Carter, and I'm a gardening enthusiast and instructor. Welcome to my podcast, where I aim to inspire and guide those of you who are new to gardening or looking to take your first steps into the wonderful world of plants and flowers.
Gardening has become increasingly popular, especially over the past few years, as people seek more sustainable and relaxing hobbies. But it can also feel a bit overwhelming at first. There's a lot of information out there, and not all of it applies to every gardener or every garden. My goal today is to simplify things for you and share some tips to get you started without feeling intimidated.
Let's begin with choosing the right plants. Many beginners make the mistake of buying plants they find attractive without considering whether they're suitable for their garden's conditions. A good rule of thumb is to assess how much sunlight your garden receives and choose plants accordingly. For instance, if your garden gets a lot of direct sunlight, go for hardy plants like lavender or succulents. On the other hand, shaded areas are great for ferns and hostas.
One thing I always recommend to new gardeners is to start small. You don't need to overhaul your entire garden all at once. A simple herb garden in a few pots on your windowsill or a small patch in your backyard is a great way to start. Not only is it manageable, but it's also incredibly rewarding to grow herbs like basil, mint, or rosemary and use them in your cooking.
Another common concern is soil quality. People often ask, "Do I need to spend a lot of money on soil?" The answer is no. Start by using compost, which you can make yourself from kitchen waste like vegetable scraps, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Compost not only enriches the soil but also reduces household waste – a win-win situation!
Watering is another aspect that trips up beginners. A lot of people either overwater or underwater their plants. My tip is to water deeply but less frequently – this encourages the roots to grow deeper and makes the plants more resilient. A good way to check if your plants need water is by sticking your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water.
Now, let me share a few real-life examples from people I've worked with. Charlotte, for instance, told me she avoided gardening for years because she thought it was too time-consuming. She started with just one raised bed in her backyard, growing lettuce and tomatoes. Once she saw how easy it was, she expanded to a full vegetable garden within a year.
Then there's Liam, who was convinced he had a "black thumb" because every plant he bought seemed to die within weeks. After attending one of my beginner workshops, he realized he was planting in poor soil and overwatering his plants. Once he corrected these mistakes, his garden flourished, and now he even has a small greenhouse!
Finally, we have Paul, a retiree who joined my gardening club last year. He was completely new to gardening but wanted to try something relaxing after years of working a high-stress job. He started with flowers like marigolds and petunias and found the experience therapeutic. He now grows vegetables and has built his own compost bin, which he proudly shows off to everyone.
I also want to share a bit of my own journey. I didn't grow up gardening – in fact, I only started in my mid-30s when I moved to a house with a small backyard. My first attempts were disastrous – I planted flowers that didn't suit the climate, and I didn't understand the importance of soil preparation. But I kept learning, trying, and failing until one day, I had a garden that was not only beautiful but also a source of joy and pride.
So, here's my final piece of advice: don't be afraid to make mistakes. Gardening is all about learning through experience. If something doesn't work, try something else. And most importantly, enjoy the process – it's incredibly rewarding.
Whether you're planting a single pot of herbs or planning a full garden makeover, take it one step at a time, and don't forget to have fun. Thanks for listening, and happy gardening!
Hello everyone! My name's Emma Carter, and I'm a gardening enthusiast and instructor. Welcome to my podcast, where I aim to inspire and guide those of you who are new to gardening or looking to take your first steps into the wonderful world of plants and flowers.
Gardening has become increasingly popular, especially over the past few years, as people seek more sustainable and relaxing hobbies. But it can also feel a bit overwhelming at first. There's a lot of information out there, and not all of it applies to every gardener or every garden. My goal today is to simplify things for you and share some tips to get you started without feeling intimidated.
Let's begin with choosing the right plants. Many beginners make the mistake of buying plants they find attractive without considering whether they're suitable for their garden's conditions. A good rule of thumb is to assess how much sunlight your garden receives and choose plants accordingly. For instance, if your garden gets a lot of direct sunlight, go for hardy plants like lavender or succulents. On the other hand, shaded areas are great for ferns and hostas.
One thing I always recommend to new gardeners is to start small. You don't need to overhaul your entire garden all at once. A simple herb garden in a few pots on your windowsill or a small patch in your backyard is a great way to start. Not only is it manageable, but it's also incredibly rewarding to grow herbs like basil, mint, or rosemary and use them in your cooking.
Another common concern is soil quality. People often ask, "Do I need to spend a lot of money on soil?" The answer is no. Start by using compost, which you can make yourself from kitchen waste like vegetable scraps, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Compost not only enriches the soil but also reduces household waste – a win-win situation!
Watering is another aspect that trips up beginners. A lot of people either overwater or underwater their plants. My tip is to water deeply but less frequently – this encourages the roots to grow deeper and makes the plants more resilient. A good way to check if your plants need water is by sticking your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water.
Now, let me share a few real-life examples from people I've worked with. Charlotte, for instance, told me she avoided gardening for years because she thought it was too time-consuming. She started with just one raised bed in her backyard, growing lettuce and tomatoes. Once she saw how easy it was, she expanded to a full vegetable garden within a year.
Then there's Liam, who was convinced he had a "black thumb" because every plant he bought seemed to die within weeks. After attending one of my beginner workshops, he realized he was planting in poor soil and overwatering his plants. Once he corrected these mistakes, his garden flourished, and now he even has a small greenhouse!
Finally, we have Paul, a retiree who joined my gardening club last year. He was completely new to gardening but wanted to try something relaxing after years of working a high-stress job. He started with flowers like marigolds and petunias and found the experience therapeutic. He now grows vegetables and has built his own compost bin, which he proudly shows off to everyone.
I also want to share a bit of my own journey. I didn't grow up gardening – in fact, I only started in my mid-30s when I moved to a house with a small backyard. My first attempts were disastrous – I planted flowers that didn't suit the climate, and I didn't understand the importance of soil preparation. But I kept learning, trying, and failing until one day, I had a garden that was not only beautiful but also a source of joy and pride.
So, here's my final piece of advice: don't be afraid to make mistakes. Gardening is all about learning through experience. If something doesn't work, try something else. And most importantly, enjoy the process – it's incredibly rewarding.
Whether you're planting a single pot of herbs or planning a full garden makeover, take it one step at a time, and don't forget to have fun. Thanks for listening, and happy gardening!