The Veg Grower Podcast
About
Available on
Community
435 episodes
Join us in this weeks episode of the veg grower podcast where Richard wants to guide you through his journey of growing hi s own food on his allotment and vegetable garden. This week we have the seed of the month from premiers seeds, A visit to the Vegepod garden and how Richard has won the battle with whitefly. Lets not forget the draw for the name that chicken is taken place.
Welcome to this week's episode of the Veg Grower Podcast! I'm Richard, and my mission is to inspire and empower more people to grow their own food. Join me as we feel it is now time to spring clean the garden and allotment. Time to Spring Clean the Garden: As spring unfolds, it's time to rejuvenate our gardens. Learn how to integrate new chickens into your flock, tidy up neglected areas, and repurpose straw bales for mulching and composting. Discover the benefits of repurposing old structures, like transforming a quail cage into a hedgehog house. Plus, get insights into combating persistent pests like whitefly with organic solutions. Support this podcast: Support the Veg Grower Podcast by rating and reviewing on your podcast platform. Join our Supporters Club for exclusive content and monthly seed packs to boost your gardening journey. Find out more by clicking the button below Planting Potatoes and Combatting Couch Grass: Join me at the allotment as we plant potatoes and tackle couch grass. Learn the importance of soil preparation, spacing, and mulching for successful potato cultivation. Discover how potatoes can help suppress weeds like couch grass and the optimal timing for planting different varieties. Chef Scott Recipe of the Week: Stay tuned for Chef Scott's delicious recipe using fresh garden produce! This week its a delicious spring cabbage roll recipe which is just delicious. Maintaining the Fruit Garden: Explore strategies for maintaining a thriving fruit garden in limited space. Discover the benefits of container gardening and the importance of relocating potted plants for optimal sunlight. Learn how to protect delicate fruit trees from late frosts and diseases like peach leaf curl. Plus, dive into fruit propagation techniques like layering to expand your garden's bounty. Conclusion: As we wrap up, remember that spring cleaning isn't just about tidying up; it's about setting the stage for a fruitful season ahead. Join me next time as we continue our gardening journey together.
Join Richard in this weeks podcast in which Richard asks himself Why do we have so many plant feeds? Richard then takes us down the allotment where we find how the rain has affected the planting of potatoes and finish off with how the temperature in the greenhouse ahs freed up the kitchen worktops. Of course there's chef Scott's recipe of the week too! Why Do We Have So Many Plant feeds? Lately Richard has been asking himself why do we have so many plant feeds? Do we really need lots of different feeds and what do they do? With that in mind Richard looks in his shed to see what he actually has and does he actually use them in the garden or allotment. With so many different feeds it can be very complicated to work out just what is needed. Become a member of the supporters club. If you have been enjoying this podcast then please rate and review on your podcast provider. By rating and reviewing it helps give us important feedback and helps get us seen by new listeners. But if you are really enjoying this podcast, then please consider becoming a member of our supporters club. For just £5 a month you get access to extra behind the scenes podcast as well as a collection of seeds sent to your door each month. Click the button below to fond out more. Has the allotment dried out. This week Richard has been able to visit his allotment every day after work. This has really helped get on top of the weeds and make the allotment look tidier and prepped for growing. However the allotment is still very wet and after digging a small hole and monitoring the water Richard has postponed the planting of potatoes for a week in the hope the ground will dry out enough. Planting when so wet can lead to the potatoes rotting. Chef Scott's Recipe Of The Week. This week Chef Scott has this delicious asparagus, tomato and feta focaccia recipe. Asparagus season will soon be upon us and having this recipe ready for those delicious spears makes it all the more exciting. The Greenhouse Has Warmed Up. Over this last week, Richard has been able to move his pepper and aubergine seedling out into the greenhouse away from the kitchen worktops. Below 10c these plant go dormant. But as the temps in the greenhouse have exceeded that now, its safe for his seedlings to go into the greenhouse. Outside the new chickens are settling in well. It'll soon be time to mix the old and new together. Don't forget there's a chance to win tickets to gardeners world spring fair just by suggesting a name for the chicken. The seed of the month seedlings are also growing. These are the summer squash zephyr f1 in collaboration with premier seeds direct. Use discount code vegpod10 for even more savings. Don't forget to follow us on social media and rate and review on your podcast provider
Welcome back to another exciting episode of our podcast! In this instalment, we embark on a journey of transformation, from repurposing a Belfast sink into a herbal tea bed to exploring the veg gardens of RHS Hyde Hall. Join us as we delve into the joys of gardening and culinary delights! Creating a Herbal Tea Bed in an Old Belfast Sink We kick off the episode by diving into the process of transforming an old Belfast sink into a flourishing herbal tea bed. I was set the challenge to create a herbal tea bed. After doing a lot of research I decided to use a Belfast sink I was recently donated. There are lots of herbs we could use for making teas but the only herbs available at this time, are Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Moroccan Mint and Lemon Balm. We would have liked to add Lavender, Chamomile and Bergamot to the mix. What herbs do you use for tea? Become a supporting member. If you enjoy this podcast then please rate and review on your podcast provider. Rating and reviewing only takes a few seconds but helps get this podcast seen by other people who might be interested in growing there own food. But if you really want to support this podcast, then please consider becoming a member of our supporters club. For just £5 a month you get extra behind the scenes podcast as well as a collection of seeds sent to your door each month. Click the button below to find out more. Exploring RHS Hyde Hall with Lee Connolly Next, we're joined by special guest Lee Connolly as we embark on a captivating journey to RHS Hyde Hall. We really enjoy visiting gardens, especially if they have a vegetable garden. RHS Hyde Hall certainly delivered on the vegetable garden front and looking around gave us many ideas of what we could incorporate into our own gardens. Lee Connolly of course is well know for his work getting kids into gardening. Find out more about lee here. Chef Scott's Recipe Of The Week Our resident chef, Scott, shares a mouth-watering recipe featuring our seed of the month Zephyr f1 summer squash. This recipe uses the squash to make a delicious pasta delicious which can be found here. Give it a try and let us know what you think. Premier seeds direct have also given us a discount code for you to use when shopping at their website. Use discount code VEGPOD10 when checking out. A Visit to the Allotment We wrap up the episode with a visit to the allotment, where we share updates and insights from our gardening adventures. Join us as we reflect on the joys of tending to our own patch of greenery.
Join Richard in this weeks veg grower podcast. This week Richard has been dealing with a few pests and got some new chickens. WE also have a new feature called seed of the month in collaboration with Premier Seed Direct. Pests are about Usually Richard gets very little problem with pests but this year slugs and snails have attacked his seedlings and aphids have started attacking his young plants. As a rule Richard hates pesticides, preferring nature to do its thing, but as these plants are in his kitchen Richard has used grazers g2 and g3 to tackle these pests. Mice or rats have also appeared in the garden, which is inevitable with chickens Become a supporting member If you enjoy this podcast then please rate and review, but if you want to support this podcast then please consider becoming a member of the supporters club. Click below to find out more Seed of the month We have launched a new monthly segment if collaboration with premier seeds direct. Premier seed direct offer fantastic price on seeds with very reasonable quantitys. This month seed of the month is the fantastic zephyr f1 and courgette like summer squash with a unique look and taste. Get your seeds from premier seeds direct Chef Scott's recipe of the week Each week chef scott brings us a delicious recipe of the week and this week its this delicious parsnip hash brown recipe. New chickens This week saw the arrival of 2 new chickens. Chickens are great in the vegetable garden for a wide range of reasons but mostly because of fresh eggs. However these chickens do need names and Amanda has named one egguinox but the other needs a name too. Submit your name suggestion and you could be in with a chance to win tickets to the Gardeners world spring fair. Details can be found here.
This week Richard attended the garden press event. A yearly event where garden media personalities come together and explore new trends and products for the coming year. Richard discusses what he discovered with Jenny and Scott. Allotment update: Flooding avoided Richard went to his allotment but with it being so wet there is little that can be done. This however did cause him to reflect on how no dig gardening may prevent flooding. While on the allotment Richard has been running the hoe through the beds, in order to keep weeds down. Garden press event Richard attended the Garden press event and discovered a huge selection of new products to get excited about including Gardeners world live events Andermatt potato mist with a 15% discount using code veggrower15 Kent and stowe sure cut range with shock absorbers Envii plant feeds Germie seed starter kits The dipping tank You can hear our conversation on this products in todays podcast Garden update: Seed sowing and potting on In the garden Richard finds himself in the shed to stay dry and has been sowing a collection of seeds including radish, spinach and more. Also he tests the germie seed starter
In this weeks mailbag episode Richard has received a few correspondence that he wanted to share with you. Richard also has the latest from the allotment and garden and chef Scott has a delicious recipe using purple sprouting broccoli Veg garden update: getting ready for spring This week in the garden Richard has been busy getting ready for spring. The beds have been mulched and feed or lime. The hoe has been running through empty beds and the garlic, onions and daffodils are showing off in the February sun. Supporters members club If you enjoy this podcast then please rate and review on your podcast provider. by rating and reviewing you help get this podcast discovered by others. but if you really enjoy this podcast then please consider becoming a member of the supporters club. For just £5 a month you get extra behind the scenes podcast as well as a collection of seeds sent to your door every month. To find out more click the button below. Mailbag episode This week we have received a few messages. The first comes from Ellen. She shares how her turmeric and ginger harvest have performed as well as a tip for growing citrus through the winter. Stuart shares how he appreciates hearing us admit to mistakes. And Deborah is after some help with her chillies. Chef Scott's recipe of the week. Chef Scott has a delicious recipe this week which can be found here Allotment update: New compost bin and compost Continuing with the spring prep Richard has spread more compost on the allotment. But also wanting to produce more compost he has built a new compost bin. Built from old fridge doors this compost bin should last a while.
Join Richard in this weeks podcast where he is asking have you ever grown asparagus from seed? Why is he asking that well its because he has grown asparagus from seed and is sowing more today.
This weeks podcast is a little different as Richard was asked to participate in Seedy Sunday's local gardeners question time. Seedy Sunday Seedy Sunday is an annual event held in Brighton, East Sussex. Its Britain's oldest and longest running seed swop event The idea is a simple, you bring along some seeds you want to swop for seeds you want to go home with. Its held every year on the first Sunday in February. Local Gardeners question time This year Richard was invited to be on the panel answering members of the publics questions on gardening. Joining Richard on the panel was Kate Bradbury a well known wildlife gardener Ruth a founding member of brighton and hove organic gardening group Kate Harrison, the boss of Seedy Sunday and chaired this event. Questions asked incude How to save money agrdening How to rescue a poorly olive tree How to prepare for droughts and many more Richard mentions an olive feed for olive trees, the product he recommends is here.
In tis weeks podcast Richard has suffered a bit of storm damage. We have a new member with a new allotment join the team and we finish with a discussion on shed storage. Allotment update: Storm damage Last week the uk got hit with 2 storms, and Richards shed got blown over. Luckily the shed was due to be moved this weekend anyway and the damage wasn't to serious. With the shed sorted and moved this freed up space to move an apple tree. This apple tree when planted was squeezed into a space that wasn't large enough so it was time to give it the room to thrive. Supporters club If you enjoy this podcast then please rate and review. Rating and reviewing helps more people discover this podcast. But if you really want to support this podcast then please consider becoming a member of the supporters club where you get extra benefits for just £5 a month. Click the button below to find out more. Jenny's allotment: A new allotment adventure This week we have a new member to the team who has a new allotment. Jenny has taken on allotment with lots of plans to grow food but work with nature. We look forward to hearing plenty of updates in the future. Scott's recipe of the week: scotch broth. This week Scott has this delicious scotch broth recipe, one that his grandmother used to cook for him. Garden update: Shed organisation In the garden Richard is looking at how he organises his shed in order to make his life easier. Tools are hung using pegboard and stocking filled with pots make a good use of space. A good tidy shed makes gardening much easier.
Join Richard in another productive week on the veg garden and the allotment. Richard was also invited onto BBC radio 2 to quiz DJ OJ about veg gardening. Listen to it all in this weeks veg grower podcast Veg garden update: Compost flies. From the home plot this week Richard is indoors potting up some of his seedlings that are growing well. However he has noticed that some of his multi purpose compost seems to contain compost flies, which is causing a few issues in his kitchen. To tackle this Richard has decided to use coir compost as this shouldn't have any fly eggs in it, but as a second line of defence he has introduced a carnivorous plant into his set up. Join the supporters club In this supporters club this week we have been sowing celeriac and rhubarb. 2 long term vegetables that are well worth growing from seed. The supporters club is set up to help keep this podcast running. For just £5 a month members get a collection of seeds sent to your door every month as well as extra behind the scenes podcast. To find out more and sign up click the button below Richard Appears on Radio 2 Richard was invited onto radio 2 to take part in a feature known as "midnight mastermind". Richards specialist subject of course being vegetable gardening. DJ OJ was the Dj and wanted to get all 3 questions correct but how did he do and how well will you do? Listen to play along Chef Scott's recipe of the week This week Chef Scott has another fantastic recipe for you. A chicken and squash traybake which is easy to make and uses up some of those squashes that we all have in storage. Give it a try and let us know what you think of this recipe. Allotment update: Clearing more areas Down on the allotment this week Richard has cleared an area in preparation for growing potatoes later on this year. These potatoes are to be saved for seed for the following year but also serves to help reduces the weeds in this tricky part of the allotment. Richard has also started to move the shed to a new location, although the plan has changed on this. And Finally Each week Richard is setting a mission for everyone and this week he wants to know how you store gardening items in your shed? Send your photos or email to Richard@theveggrowerpodcast.co.uk or via social media We will be back again next time so until then please take care
Join Richard in this weeks episode of The Veg Grower Podcast. This week Richard has had to protect his garden from the cold weather and removed a gooseberry bush from the allotment. Richard also ways in on a debate about is it too early for sowing seeds. Garden update: Protecting from frost This week the temperature has really dropped. Although there is not much actively growing in the garden at the moment, what is growing needs protecting. Richard has covered his plants with some horticultural fleece in order to protect them from frost. Richard has also wrapped his wormery with fleece, bubble wrap and even a duvet to protect the worms from getting too cold too. A wormery is a great addition to any garden as any kitchen waste gets thrown into the wormery of which the worms munch through and create compost. Other tasks in the garden have included building a new bed and spreading wood ash onto his beds for extra potash. Nothing gets wasted here. This week in the supporters club Rating and reviewing this podcast really helps this podcast get discovered by new listeners. This week we was left a lovely review from Lynn about how the discussion on plug plant trainers was very useful information. This type of feedback is valuable to us. So please do Rate and review. The Veg Grower Podcast also runs a supporters club as a way of keeping this podcast running. For just £5 a month you can get extra behind the scenes podcasts as well as a collection of seeds each month you are a member. Over this last week we have been sowing Fenugreek, a tasty microgreen and Parsley and herb that needs no introduction. If you are considering becoming a member please click the button below to find out more.
Join Richard in this weeks veg grower podcast. This Week Richard has had a good weekend on the plot, some time spent gardening on the alltometn and the veg garden. its made him very happy to tackle a number of jobs with a lovely break in the weather. Allotment update: Pruning Blackcurrant We head to the allotment first of all where Richard tackled a number of tasks. Firstly Richard tackled a bit of a tidy up. Strong winds have a habit of blowing unwanted litter onto Richards allotment all of which needs tidying up. However Richard does say we can be to tidy!! Nature loves messy areas so leaving some dead plant material for example can provide nature a home. Richard also harvested some Brussel sprouts and mulched the asparagus bed with some seaweed collected from a local beach. But the main task Richard tackled is the pruning of a blackcurrant bush that he inherited. Pruning can be a very daunting task but plants do benefit from a prune. When it comes to Blackcurrants pruning can be pretty easy. Richard always starts with any dead, diseased or damaged brunches all of which get pruned away, after that he looks at the overall shape of the bush, planning to try and end up with a goblet shaped bush at the end. This allows plenty of light and air around the plant. To achieve this Richard prunes away any brunches that are more the 5 years old. Overall a good weekend work on the alltoment Seed potato experiment; the harvest Richard is always trying to find ways of saving money and seed potatoes is a way Richard is experimenting with this year. 2023 Richard planted some extra potatoes in concrete pipes in a separate area of the allotment, the idea being to grow these plants to produce some seed potatoes. This weekend Richard harvested these seed potatoes in preparation for growing these in 2024. Will it be a success? Chef Scott's Recipe Of The Week Sticking with potatoes Chef Scott has shared a delicious potato tart recipe. Which sounds delicious and easy to make. Its certainly one I will be trying. Garden update: A good weekend for bed making At home the veg garden is coming together nicely. Beds are continuing to be mulched in preparation for growing and a new bed has been built. Building this bed Richard uses thick untreated wood which is cut to size and screwed together. Sticking with no dog principles Richard then places cardboard on the ground and compost on top. This also gave Richard the chance to test his new ryobi battery charger. This charger can charge 6 batteries at the same time and also doubles up as a handy carry case for all his battery's, making life simpler. Added to that this week Richard has also sown a few seeds. Celery ahs been sown in the greenhouse, Mustard and Spring onions have been sown in the vegepod and indoors Richard has sown a second batch of chillies and aubergines. As you can see there's been lots going its been a good weekend on the plot
Welcome back to another exciting episode from the veg grower podcast. Happy new year to you are you ready to hear the start of the 2024 garden updates? This week Richard has wanted to hit 2024 running with the gardening so over the last week there has been preparations underway. Garden Update: We first head into Richard's garden for the first 2024 garden update, where work has been taking place to get the vegetable beds ready to grow. Food has been harvested such as leeks, parsnips and sprouts. But there is still more food waiting to be harvested, carrots and purple sprouting broccoli to name a few. With vegetables harvested this cleared the beds to have some space. In which weeds have been cleared and the areas mulched with compost. All this is getting our 2024 garden ready. Seeds have also been sown including peppers and aubergines indoors and onions in the greenhouse. However some chilli pepper seedlings have been attacked by slugs or snails. Them damn pests. The 2024 Garden needs some seeds: After the garden update we head into Richard's greenhouse where Richard is evaluating the plug plant trainer's he has used. These are great way to start some seeds and Richard has found that it reduces the amount of time spent pricking out later on in the year. There are 4 types of plug plant trainers Richard has used and they can be found at Cheap plug plant trainers that might last a season or 2. These are far from Richards favourite but are cheap. Richard bought his from wilko's or the range. A much better option is these plug plant trays that Charles Dowding helped design. These are reusable and easier to get the plants out. Richard has also found these rubber plug plants trainers to be easy to use and reusable. But Richard's favourite are these plug plant trainers from Agralan. These have been well thought out and offer many handy features that gardeners might find useful. What do you like to use to start off your seeds? Chef Scott's Recipe Of The Week: This week Chef Scott has adapted a recipe sent in by a listener. This is a great way to use butternut squash and make a quick and easy pasta dish. Check out the recipe in full here. Allotment Update: Of course it wouldn't be complete without a visit to the allotment. December was a wet and dark month so Richard is hoping for a better start to the year and he got it!!! On the allotment Richard has made a note of tasks to do especially throughout January including moving a shed. Richard has also been covering empty spaces with cardboard and mulching fruit bushes with wood chip and lets not forget the dreaded weeding!!! And finally: Its been a productive week and start to the new year. Richard has set some homework for you. That is to take a photo of your allotment or garden at the start of the year. That way we can all refer back to it later on in the year and see how it changes throughout the year. Don't forget to share your photos or get in touch with anything regarding todays podcast. If you have enjoyed this podcast then please rate and review on your podcast provider, and if you want to support the work we do then please consider becoming a member of our supporters club. Click the button below to find out more.
Join us on Christmas day for a special episode from the veg grower podcast
In this weeks podcast we are evaluating how much food we have produced in our allotment and garden and ew have an interview with Littlehampton community fridge
As 2023 draws to a close its time to look at some the experiments we have run over 2023 and see what the results are.
Planning is one of those tasks that I absolutely love. This week I have sat down to make my 2024 veg garden and allotment layout plants.
This week podcast we has started seed planning for 2024, this involves sorting out his seed collection, creating spreadsheet and working out a plan. We also have a recipe from chef Scott and a visit to the allotment. Veg garden update: Sorting out the seed collection. As Richard has been unwell and not wanting to make himself worse, he figured it was a good chance to get rid of some old seeds. Richard stores seeds in an old fridge which had become so full he couldn't fit anymore seeds in it. Using the seeds use by date as a cut off point he did something he hates. He threw old seeds in the bin. However this still left us with plenty of remaining seeds, which are now been stored in boxes to make it easy in the future. The wooden boxes Richard uses can be bought from the works, where as the photo boxes can be found from Amazon (The supplied link may lead to us getting a little kickback if you buy the box). Added to that we also had the chance to list all our remaining seeds to save us buying any seeds that we still have. Seed Planning for 2024 With our seeds now sorted it was time to fire up the computer and create a couple of simple spreadsheets. Sticking with the KISS (keep it simple stupid) method we created 2 spreadsheets. The first is a simple list of all seeds that we can sow and what months we can sow these seeds in. This creates an easy at a glance account of what we can sow each month. The second spreadsheet is a seed planning list for 2024 broken down on a weekly basis. Each week we can sow some seeds and each week we will sow seeds following this plan. This just lays out everything we want to sow in order to have plenty of food growing in 2024. Chef Scott's recipe of the week This week Chef Scott has another delicious recipe for us. Its a artichoke salad which sounds absolutely delicious and we cant wait to try it out. Here at the veg grower podcast we have been considering not growing Jerusalem artichokes anymore as we wasn't eating them so much. However after this recipe we might change our mind at continue to grow them. Give it a try and let us know what you think? Allotment update: After our first frost Over the weekend we had our first frost. Now frost can be a good thing, some vegetables taste better after being frosted such as leeks, parsnips and sprouts. But some vegetables can also be damaged by frost. It can also make harvesting of some crops difficult as the ground might become frozen, and this is a concern for leeks on our allotment. The way to avoid this is to heal our leeks in the ground where they can be easier to harvest as required.
Join Richard in this weeks veg grower podcast, where he has received a question from a listener about the pros and cons of a garden shredder and the wonders of woodchip Allotment update: Using the woodchip to protect plants over winter Richard heads down to the allotment this week where a delivery of woodchip has been mysteriously arriving. Richard uses this woodchip in a variety of ways on the allotment, adding to compost bins or making paths. But the real use Richard has used this woodchip for is to mulch over some of his garden beds. By using this woodchip as a mulch like this, Richard hopes to protect the roots and crowns of some plants from a heavy frost. It also should reduce weeds and water loss as well as looks great on the plot too!!!! Tool care of the week: The wheelbarrow After using the wheelbarrow a lot Richard noticed his wheelbarrow was in need for some tlc. So back in his workshop he took some time to oil the wheel and paint some chipped areas. Richard wheelbarrow has some special rotating handles from a company called Itip. These handles are great for taking the strain off the wrist as the handles rotate while manoeuvring the wheelbarrow. Making it much easier to use and much less likely to cause injury. If you want to find out more about these please visit itiphandles.com Chef Scott's recipe of the week This week Chef Scott has another fantastic recipe for you. Its a smoked haddock, chorizo and leek risotto. This recipe had our mouths watering just hearing about it and we cant wait to cook this ourselves. Vegetable garden update: Shredding for woodchip. In the vegetable garden this week, Richard has got his shredder out and is shredding a few branches from a tree. A garden shredder is a useful tool for shredding woody material, turning it into small pieces which are great to use in a variety of ways such as Mulch For the chikens to scratch and dig through reducing the volume to fit more in the council garden waste bin Adding to the compost bin to produce a much finer compost in a quicker time. Richard has had his shredder for a few years now and wouldn't be without it. If you are interested in a garden shredder then perhaps the newer model of The one that richard uses might be of interest to you. Click this link to view. Please note that this is an amazon affiliate link and we might earn a commission if you use this link. So sit back and enjoy this weeks podcast. Don't forget to rate and review on your podcast provider.
In this weeks podcast, storms and bad weather has prompted Richard to take the gardening indoors. Growing your own food all year round is tricky and with the ground being incredibly wet, we need to try different methods. Veg garden update: Growing in the kitchen. Due to the latest storm, it hasn't stopped raining all week. In preparation for the expected cold weather, Richard has moved his more delicate plants into the greenhouse for protection. In particular his peach tree, which also prevents peach leaf curl. Unfortunately this doesn't leave much room in the greenhouse for growing food, so Richard has reinstalled his grow lights and heated propagator, taking the gardening indoors, to grow more herbs, microgreens and salad leaf's in his kitchen. Join the supporters club This week in the supporters club we have been sowing some lettuce seeds of which we will be growing successionally together. Tool care of the week: Heated Propagator This weeks its time to take care of our heated propagator. A good clean and check over to make sure they are good for another year. A heated propagator is a great tool for starting seed by providing bottom heat. Chef Scott's recipe of the week This week Chef Scott has shared with us this fantastic Baked bean recipe. A great way to make some comforting meals from ingredients we have grown ourselves. Allotment update: Growing in the greenhouse We head to the allotment for an update and this week Richard is in grandads greenhouse for this weeks update. Richard has harvested a bed of main crop potatoes of which the varieties are Maris piper and sarpo Mira. These potatoes have been growing since March although the foliage hasn't grown that well this year. These potatoes where then placed in grandads greenhouse to harden the skin before going into winter storage. After that Richard shares a few seeds and plug plants he is growing inside the greenhouse for this winter, in order to make the most of the growing space. And finally If you have any thoughts on this episode get in touch. Leave a comment below, or click the speakpipe button and leave a voicemail. Alternatively Email Richard@theveggrowerpodcast.co.uk We love to hear from you. If you have enjoyed this podcast then please rate and review on your podcast provider
Welcome to Episode 525 of the Veg Grower Podcast, where we're embracing the Halloween spirit with Spooky Allotment Adventures and Halloween Harvest. Join me, Richard, as I take you on a journey through the enchanting and sometimes eerie world of my allotment. Allotment Update: The Mysterious Pumpkin Crossbreeds The wet and rainy weather may have dampened our spirits, but it hasn't stopped the surprises in our allotment. We'll delve into the peculiar tale of our pumpkin harvest. Originally meant to be Crown Prince pumpkins, these gourds took an unexpected twist due to cross-pollination. The result? A unique collection of pumpkins that will leave you amazed. Tornado Tales: When Nature Strikes As if the pumpkin mystery wasn't enough, a tornado hit our allotment site on a dark Saturday night. I'll recount the dramatic events and the aftermath of this natural disaster, underscoring the resilience of our gardening community. Supporters Club: Join the Veg Grower Podcast Community Before we continue, I'd like to extend a special invitation to our listeners. Consider joining our Supporters Club and be part of our growing community. Plus, your feedback matters! If you enjoy the podcast, please take a moment to rate and review it. Axe Sharpening Segment: Keeping Your Tools in Top Shape Every gardener knows the value of well-maintained tools. In this exclusive segment, I'll guide you through the art of axe sharpening. Learn how to keep your trusty tool in prime condition for all your gardening needs. IF you would like the sharpening stone that I use they are available at Amazon on this link. Chef Scott's recipe of the week This week Chef Scott educates us with a delicious Yorkshire Parkin recipe. I had never heard of parkin before so was very interested with this recipe and the history of this dish. Vegetable Garden Update: Garlic, Onions, and More Our vegetable garden is a hub of activity. Discover the latest updates on planting out garlic and onion sets, and get a glimpse of thriving chard and the promising growth of celery within the Vegepod. Conclusion: A Halloween Harvest to Remember As we conclude this Halloween-themed episode, I hope you've enjoyed these Spooky Allotment Adventures. Remember to leave your thoughts in the comments and consider rating and reviewing the Veg Grower Podcast. Thanks for tuning in, and may your Halloween harvest be bountiful and bewitching.
This week we celebrate National apple day with an apple affair podcast. In the Veg Garden: Cultivating Dreams of an Orchard This week, delve into Richard's dream of an orchard right in his garden. Learn how he tends to apple trees in pots with the correct rootstock. Discover the importance of choosing the right apple tree as the season approaches, and find out how fresh compost can boost production. Supporters Club: Sowing Seeds for Podcast Sustainability Explore the world of our supporters club where we've been busy sowing broad beans and celtuce seeds. To learn more about becoming a member, click the button below. Tool Care: Sharpening Fiskars Secateurs Richard takes you through the art of maintaining and sharpening his Fiskars secateurs. Ensure they're ready for pruning and in top working order for the year ahead with a bit of oil and a few simple tools. Chef Scott's Recipe: A Scrumptious Toffee Apple Delight Chef Scott shares a mouth-watering toffee apple recipe, perfect for the season, with Halloween and Bonfire Night just around the corner. An Apple Affair on the Allotment: Tending to the Trees Join Richard on the allotment as he tends to his two apple trees. Discover the story of the Kingston Black variety, ideal for cider making, and the plan to give it more space this winter. Learn how the second apple tree is being propped up to stay upright. Remember to Connect and Share Your Thoughts Don't forget to connect with us, rate, and review the podcast on your preferred platform if you've enjoyed this episode.
Welcome back to the Veg Grower Podcast! In this week's episode, we're diving into a crucial topic for our feathered friends—winter care for chickens. As the temperatures drop, it's time to ensure our clucking companions are well-prepared for the chilly months ahead. Diary Update: Home Garden Bliss In the vegetable patch at home, we've experienced a mix of warmth and rain. With the changing weather, it's time to make some strategic moves. Tender plants like chillies and aubergines have found shelter in the greenhouse, with the hope of extending their growth through the winter. Tool maintenance is in full swing, with the trusty spade getting a good clean and treatment. The herb garden has also received some love, ensuring everything is tidy for the approaching season. Deep Dive into Chicken Care Now, let's turn our attention to the stars of our garden—the chickens. These feathered friends are pretty tough, but a little extra care during winter can make a significant difference in their well-being. Coop Cleaning Rituals: A deep clean of the coop is in order. We discuss the importance of using organic chicken coop disinfectant to create a bug-free environment. Changing bedding regularly is essential, and we weigh the pros and cons of various methods, from weekly changes to layering fresh bedding on top of the old for added warmth. Run Revamp: Disinfecting feeders and water bowls is a must as we prepare the run for the winter season. We explore the importance of addressing muddy spots with sand and consider using covers to protect against both weather and potential bird flu risks. Entertainment for Happy Hens: Winter can be dull, so we discuss various ways to keep our chickens entertained—from carved pumpkins to hanging cabbages. Adding corn to their diet is a simple yet effective way to provide extra warmth during chilly nights. Preparing for Potential Challenges: As the risk of bird flu looms, we share tips on keeping our chickens safe and complying with guidelines, from moving bird feeders away to disinfecting shoes before entering the chicken run. Considerations for Expanding the Flock: Thinking of adding more chickens to the flock? We discuss the strategy behind it, considering the natural laying patterns of chickens and planning for next spring. Recipe Delight: Scott's Sticky Spiced Pumpkin Cake This week, Scott shares a delightful recipe perfect for the season—a Sticky Spiced Pumpkin Cake. Using ingredients like butter, black treacle, and, of course, pumpkin, this cake is a warm, comforting delight. Paired with a spiced toffee sauce, it's practically a healthy treat—one of your five a day! https://theveggrowerpodcast.co.uk/scotts-sticky-spiced-pumpkin-cake/ Allotment Update: Planting for the Winter As we transition to the allotment, things have slowed down. Planting overwinter onion sets takes centre stage. We delve into the process, sharing a homemade tool that makes planting quick and efficient. Wrapping Up the Seasonal Care And that's a wrap for this week's podcast episode. We've journeyed from the home garden to the allotment, focusing on the seasonal care of our cherished chickens. Remember to rate and review the podcast, join our Supporters Club, and connect with us through email or social media. Until next time, take care, and may your winter be filled with happy clucks and thriving crops.
Welcome back to The Veg Grower Podcast! Episode #522 takes you on a delightful journey through the edible gardens of Batemans, a historic National Trust property, and provides a sneak peek into the latest updates from our very own veg garden. Join me, Richard, as we explore the charm of Batemans and discover the joys of home harvests. Garden Update: We kick off this week's episode by diving straight into my veg garden. After the productive week we had last time, clearing out spaces and preparing for the growing season, exciting developments are underway. One of the highlights is the creation of our very own nursery area, strategically positioned right in front of our trusty greenhouse. This nursery area is designed to efficiently nurture our young plants, creating a seamless production line from sowing seeds to final planting. While it's still a work in progress, plans are coming together beautifully. However, the soaring wood prices have added a slight twist to our building endeavours. We'll also discuss the saga of an old bottle fridge that attempted to serve as a cold frame earlier this year. It got a bit too enthusiastic and cooked our plants, leading to a tough decision about its fate. And what's a week in the veg garden without some cabbage talk? More cabbages have been planted, and a couple have been harvested, leaving us with an intriguing question: will we have cabbages for Christmas? The answer lies in our winter preparations. Our harvest basket is brimming with courgettes, raspberries, tomatoes, chillies, aubergines, carrots, and much more. The supermarket aisles seem a world away as we revel in the joys of growing our own produce. As the days grow shorter, it's also time to tackle the seed tins, sorting and organizing, ensuring that we're well-prepared for next year's gardening adventures. But hold on, we're just getting started! Stay tuned for an exciting trip to Batemans, a National Trust property, and discover the latest from our supporters club. Join the supporters club: The supporters club is the backbone of The Veg Grower Podcast, keeping it thriving and growing. By becoming a member, you'll receive a monthly seed collection delivered right to your doorstep. These seeds aren't just for show; they're ready to be sown, aligning perfectly with the seasons. And for our dear listeners, consider leaving a rating and review. Your feedback warms our gardening hearts and helps others discover the green corner of our podcast world. Trip to Batemans: Our journey takes an exciting twist as we visit Batemans, a National Trust property steeped in history. While this segment is unscripted, the experience was nothing short of fascinating. You can find out more about Batemans here. Or to look into visiting check out the National trust page. Chef Scott recipe of the week: Our culinary expert, Scott, brings us a delightful recipe perfect for October: Celeriac, Apple, and Walnut Soup. This comforting soup combines classic flavors and works wonders in the autumn months. Scott guides us through the recipe, making sure to include an optional but highly recommended sprinkling of blue cheese. Allotment Update: Back on the allotment, we encounter surprises and challenges. Swiss chard finds its new home, adding vibrant hues to our garden. But a surprise lurks beneath the soil—a black membrane that explains the struggles of our sweetcorn. Our trusty elder tree gets a much-needed pruning, taming its wild side, but now we're left with a pile of trimmings and a lack of space in the compost bins. Winter projects are on the horizon, including the relocation of our shed. The journey begins with dismantling the old compost bin, a task made easier by repurposed pallet wood. Comfrey-covered ground awaits levelling, setting the stage for future shed-moving endeavours. Conclusion: As we conclude this episode, we invite you to explore the full recipe and find more informatio...
Welcome back to another exciting episode of the Veg Grower Podcast. In this week's instalment, we dive into the fascinating world of woollen wonders in the garden. Join me, Richard, as we explore the latest updates from my home garden, hear an interesting lamb curry recipe from Scott, and discover the potential of woollen products to revolutionize your gardening experience. Home Garden Update: This week, my focus shifted to our home garden, spurred by some precious time off work. A significant task involved the removal of non-edible bushes at the top of our garden—privet and a towering buddleia. Armed with a chainsaw, we transformed the branches into valuable compost and mulch, creating space for a more aesthetically pleasing garden. I also revamped the area outside the greenhouse, envisioning it as a nursery-like space with cold frames and greenhouses. Supporters Club Advert: Before we delve into our main topic, a quick shout out to our Supporters Club. Your support keeps the Veg Grower Podcast thriving. Woollen Products: Over recent years, I've witnessed a surge in woollen products making their mark in the garden. Wool pellets, known for deterring slugs, have been a staple in my greenhouse. This episode features insights Hortiwool, a company producing versatile wool mats for seed starting and hanging basket liners. Their eco-friendly products have earned a spot in my gardening repertoire. We also explore Wool Pots, a company offering woollen pots resembling cosy socks that serve as eco-friendly alternatives for traditional plant pots. From stability to environmental benefits, these woollen wonders have proven their worth in my garden. Additionally, we discuss a wool-based wood preserver, promising a natural solution for garden beds and tools. Share your experiences with woollen products and any innovative gardening solutions in the comments below! Links to company's mentioned Hortiwool Wool Pots Ewe Stop Scott’s Recipe: Lamb Curry What better way to complement our woollen theme than with a hearty lamb curry? Scott shares a mouth-watering recipe that's sure to tickle your taste buds. Find the recipe here. Allotment Update: Switching gears to the allotment, I share progress from clearing out the old onion bed to sowing field beans and tidying up the asparagus bed with seaweed mulch. The growing season is in full swing, and I'm excited to see the fruits (and vegetables) of my labour. Conclusion: That concludes this week's episode of the Veg Grower Podcast. Thank you for joining me on this exploration of woollen wonders in the garden. Stay tuned for more updates, and remember, happy growing! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for regular gardening inspiration, and share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisper, it's a tell-tale sign that winter is just around the corner. But for dedicated gardeners, the changing seasons bring new opportunities and challenges. In the latest episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, we dive into the world of winter gardening, focusing on an essential aspect of the preparation—getting your greenhouse ready for the colder months. Join me, Richard, as we explore the ins and outs of greenhouse prep and delve into some exciting updates from our allotment and garden. Allotment Adventures Before we open the doors to the greenhouse, let's take a stroll through our allotment. It hasn't been all smooth sailing, as Mother Nature decided to play a trick on us with strong winds knocking over our beloved sweetcorn. But, as true gardeners do, we're making the best of the situation. We're harvesting whatever's ripe, clearing out those pesky weeds, and planting some delicious garlic, including unique varieties that we've carefully saved from our previous harvest. Our allotment is a testament to the cycle of life and the resilience of nature. It's a place where we learn from every challenge and celebrate every success, no matter how big or small. Supporters Club: Sowing Seeds of Support A big shout out to our Supporters Club members who are with us every step of the way. In this week's update, we've been busy sowing daikon radish and corn salad. The Supporters Club plays a crucial role in keeping this podcast running, and it's an opportunity for you to join our gardening community. For just £5 a month, you'll gain access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content and receive a curated collection of seeds each month, perfectly timed for sowing. Learn more by clicking the button below and become a part of our growing family. Greenhouse Prep Now, let's turn our attention to the star of the show—the greenhouse. Often associated with spring and summer, greenhouses are the secret weapon of winter gardeners. They allow us to extend the growing season, cultivate winter-loving crops like lettuce, and provide a warm haven for delicate plants during the colder months. Our journey begins with a thorough greenhouse cleaning. We empty everything out, careful not to disturb our thriving tomato plants, which are still producing fruit. Using warm water and a bit of elbow grease, we wash away the dirt and dust that have accumulated over the seasons. Our goal is to create a clean and inviting space for our winter crops. We emphasize a chemical-free approach, avoiding disinfectants and opting for a good old-fashioned water wash. Afterward, we leave the greenhouse windows open for an hour to promote ventilation and wash all the items that were removed. Next, we inspect the greenhouse beds, adding nutrient-rich compost and addressing any necessary repairs. Attention to detail is key, right down to tightening all nuts and bolts to ensure the structure is solid. One of our greenhouse secrets is the water-butt, strategically placed to act as a heat battery. During the day, it soaks up the sun's rays, warming the water inside. At night, it releases that stored heat, providing a cosy environment for our plants. Winter Gardening Delights With everything in place, our greenhouse prep is now ready for autumn and winter gardening. As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, we'll be sowing and tending to a variety of cold-hardy crops, ensuring a fresh supply of homegrown produce throughout the winter. In our garden update, we celebrate successes like harvesting tasty celery and preparing for the winter and spring with potted brassicas. We bid farewell to the spent runner beans and make room for more garlic, eager to explore different varieties and flavours. Our cucumber plants have gracefully completed their journey, reminding us that in gardening, as in life, every season has its beginning and its end. Conclusion
Good day, fellow garden enthusiasts! In episode 518 of the Veg Grower Podcast, we embarked on an exciting journey that took us from tending our allotment to exploring the vibrant world of local flower and produce exhibits. Let's dive into the highlights of this episode: Allotment Update: Clearing Weeds, Cutting Grass, and More We started by giving you the latest scoop on our allotment. From battling stubborn weeds to maintaining a well-groomed lawn and addressing blighted tomatoes, we covered it all. Plus, the squash plants are flourishing – a promising sign for our upcoming harvest. Supporters Club Advert Before delving deeper into our adventures, we took a moment to express our gratitude to our dedicated supporters. Your continued support keeps our podcast thriving! A Day at the Flower and Produce Show The heart of this episode was our visit to the local Flower and Produce Show. We strolled through the exhibits, marvelling at the impressive displays of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Our hosts contemplated the possibility of participating in next year's event, drawing inspiration from the talented exhibitors. Culinary Delights: Scott's Chinese Braised Aubergine Recipe We couldn't resist sharing a mouth-watering recipe with you! Scott's Chinese Braised Aubergine recipe is a delightful treat for the taste buds. If you're looking for a creative way to enjoy aubergines from your garden, this recipe is a must-try. Veg Plot Update: Surprises and Challenges Our journey continued with an update on our veg plot. A mischievous squirrel had a hand (or paw) in damaging the roots of our beloved blackberry plant. But, on a brighter note, we witnessed the bare-rooted trees sprouting fresh leaves, and we proudly planted an abundance of Swiss chard. Thank you for joining us on this podcasting adventure, and we hope you enjoyed the journey as much as we did. Don't forget to subscribe to the Veg Grower Podcast for more gardening tips, updates, and exciting adventures in the world of homegrown produce. Until next time, happy gardening!
