This week’s episode of The Veg Grower Podcast is packed with jobs on the allotment, progress in the kitchen garden, and a listener’s question about slugs. With summer harvests in full swing, it’s been a busy and productive week – plus I share a recipe of the week while Chef Scott is away.

The main focus on the allotment has been seed saving. I’ve been busy collecting seeds from peas and beans – always reliable and easy to do – as well as saving poppy seeds that appeared on the plot without me ever sowing them.

I also talk through why saving squash seeds can be tricky due to cross-pollination, and why crops like carrots and parsnips need two years to produce viable seed. I share a past experiment with potatoes too – growing out “seed plants” to store tubers for replanting the following year, which worked surprisingly well.

Of course, alongside seed saving, it’s been the usual jobs of mowing, strimming, weeding, and watering in the warm weather.

Back at home, I’m delighted to say the driveway project is finally finished after weeks of disruption. With resin-bonded paths and drive now complete, I’ve been able to put the garden back together. Waterbutts, sinks, and pots are gradually returning to their proper places, although a few plants are struggling after the hot, dry spells.

Harvests have been plentiful – especially tomatoes – so a lot of batch cooking and freezing has been going on. I’ve also been busy potting up strawberry runners, moving baby plants into pots for next year’s crops while their mother plants get ready for another season outside.

This week we had a voicemail from Melissa, who asked about slugs attacking her beans. I share a range of approaches, including:

With Chef Scott on holiday, I’m stepping in with a simple seasonal dish: Garlic & Herb Roasted Patty Pan Squash.

These quirky little summer squashes are delicious roasted with olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs – perfect as a side dish or even the star of a light summer supper.

It’s been a productive, rewarding week – saving seeds for the future, harvesting the best of summer, and finally reclaiming the garden after the driveway works.

Tune in to hear more about the seed-saving process, how I’m dealing with slugs, and why patty pan squash deserves a place in every veg garden.

If you would like to support this podcast then please consider becoming a member of our supporters club or use some of affiliate links below for items you might be buying. We might get a little commission