Join Richard in this weeks veg grower podcast and this week Richard is sharing his tips for seed starting success, from the allotment we have a question from a listener about saving potato seed and finally we have a new project of making our own compost in order to be more self sufficent.

Kitchen garden update: Seed Starting Success.

With March and Spring being just around the corner, it brings with the real seed sowing time. Seed sowing is a skill in its own right but this week Richard suggests ways in which to make seed sowing more successful for you.

This tips include:

Use the freshest seed possible and buy from a reputable source such as Premier seeds direct or Simply Seed.

Use a good quality seed compost and add a bit of perlite

Heated propagators help warm the soil, but a soil thermometer also helps you work out when the soil is warm enough

When you seedlings germinate they need light and grow lights can really help with strong growth.

Allotment update: Saving our own Seed Potatoes

Down on the allotment this week Richard is answering a question from a listener by the name of Steve. Steve is asking if its possible to save our own seed potatoes.

Saving our own seed potatoes can help save money and also could mean we could have our own supply of varieties that may not be available in the garden centres.

Richard reflects on a time when he did save his own seed potatoes and how that worked out and shares how he managed to save his own seed potatoes. Something he feels we should all do more of as we try and be more self sufficient.

Chef Scott's Recipe Of The Week.

Chef Scott is back with another delicious recipe and a interesting twist on the good old broccoli stem. Tempura broccoli is one to delight many when it arrives on the kitchen table adding a oriental zing to a delicious vegetable.

And Finally making our own compost mixes.

Towards the end of this weeks podcast Richard shares a new project he is attempting. Making his own ingredients to mix his own compost mixes.

Over the years Richard has noted that compost is one of the most expensive costs in growing his own food. After doing lots of research Richard has identified ways of making it possible to make his own compost. But this starts with making his own ingredients.