In this episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, host Richard takes listeners on a detailed tour of his allotment, divided into two sections, 1-28A and 1-28B. He discusses the current state of his crops, including broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbages, and the challenges posed by pests like slugs and pigeons. Richard also shares his experiences with weed management, crop rotation, and his West Kent five pod hydroponic growing system. He emphasizes the importance of regular maintenance and offers practical gardening tips, aiming to inspire listeners to grow their own food despite the inevitable challenges.

Bullet points

Overview of the allotment layout (sections 1-28A and 1-28B)

Current state of various crops, including broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbages

Challenges faced with pests, particularly slugs, snails, and birds

Weed management and maintenance issues in the allotment

Experiences with specific plants, such as gooseberries, parsnips, and leeks

Updates on greenhouse gardening, including tomatoes, sweet peppers, and aubergines

Discussion of the West Kent five pod hydroponic growing system

Importance of crop rotation and planting strategies

Personal anecdotes and reflections on gardening challenges and successes

Time stamps

Introduction to the Allotment Tour (00:00:07)

Richard introduces the episode and plans to take listeners on a tour of his allotment.

Overview of Allotment Layout (00:01:19)

Richard describes the layout of his allotment, divided into two halves, 1-28A and 1-28B.

Challenges with Neighbors (00:02:20)

Richard discusses issues with overgrown weeds from neighboring plots affecting his fruit bushes.

Police Incident on Allotment (00:03:23)

Richard recounts a troubling incident involving hidden kitchen knives found among his plants.

Weeds and Maintenance Issues (00:04:22)

Richard shares concerns about the lack of maintenance from neighbors and its impact on his plot.

Raised Beds and Crop Failures (00:05:24)

Richard talks about his raised beds and the struggles with slugs and snails destroying his crops.

Hugelkultur Bed Update (00:06:29)

Richard explains his hugelkultur bed and the failure of peas and butternut squash due to pests.

Garlic and Squash Bed (00:07:27)

Richard updates on garlic removal and the survival of new squash plants despite pest issues.

Onions and Cucumber Growth (00:08:25)

Richard discusses the growth of his onions and successful cucumber plants in the allotment.

Sweet Corn and Tomato Progress (00:09:25)

Richard shares the slow growth of sweet corn and the status of his tomato plants.

Shed and Compost Area (00:10:21)

Richard mentions his metal shed and composting efforts, including plans for a new bed.

Autumn Raspberry Bed Challenges (00:11:19)

Richard describes the weed issues in his autumn raspberry bed and plans for winter care.

Transition to Bottom Half of Allotment (00:12:24)

Richard prepares to move on to discuss the bottom half of his allotment, 1-28B.

Apple Tree and Asparagus Update (00:14:22)

Richard talks about the apple tree's growth and the recovery of his asparagus plants.

Rhubarb and Globe Artichokes (00:15:46)

Richard shares updates on his thriving rhubarb plants and the status of globe artichokes.

Plans for Elder Tree and New Planting (00:16:45)

Richard discusses plans to remove an elder tree and potential new plantings along the boundary.

Potato Beds Overview (00:17:40)

Richard describes his potato beds, including challenges with blight and different potato varieties.

Harvesting Potatoes and Brassicas (00:19:51)

Richard updates on the harvesting of potatoes and the introduction of brussels sprout plants.

Broccoli Harvest (00:20:54)

Richard discusses his successful broccoli harvest and the overall performance of brassicas this season.

Turnip Seeds (00:21:59)

He mentions sowing turnip seeds to ensure a winter harvest, despite not being a fan of turnips.

Celeriac Issues (00:22:40)

Richard talks about his celeriac plants bolting and the decision to remove them.