Welcome to another episode of the Veg Grower Podcast! This week we are noticing we are having spaces appear in our allotment beds, so what crops to plant now is the question. richard aslo delves into watering on the plot and labelling of plants.

Best Crops to Plant Now:

In our first segment, we explore the best options for planting in those spaces where you've recently harvested crops. With plenty of sunlight and warm weather, now is the perfect time to introduce new plants to your garden. We'll discuss a variety of vegetables and herbs that are well-suited for mid-summer planting.

Supporters Club Advert:

A quick shout out to our amazing Supporters Club members! Your support helps us continue to provide valuable content for all our listeners. If you're interested in joining, click the button below to find out more.

Watering Tips for Heatwaves:

With the heatwave upon us, it's crucial to keep your plants well-watered. In this segment, we share essential watering tips to ensure your garden stays hydrated and healthy. From the best times of day to water to techniques that minimise water waste, we've got practical advice to help you navigate the scorching temperatures.

Chef Scott's recipe of the week:

This week, Chef Scott brings us a refreshing and delightful recipe perfect for hot summer days: Fresh Strawberry and Lavender Sorbet. Combining the sweetness of strawberries with the subtle floral notes of lavender, this sorbet is a must-try. Tune in to get the full recipe and step-by-step instructions.

Labelling Your Plants

In our third segment, we discuss the importance of labelling your plants. Because proper labelling can save you time and confusion, especially as your garden grows. We'll go over different labelling methods and materials, helping you find the best approach for your garden.

Discount Codes:

Premier seeds direct: Get 10% off your seeds using discount code vegpod10.

Autopot.co.uk: Save 10% off your order with code auto10rvg.

Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of the Veg Grower Podcast. We hope you found it informative and inspiring. Happy gardening!

Welcome to another exciting episode of our podcast! Today, I'm thrilled to share my recent adventure at Gardeners' World Live 2024. This year’s event was held at the NEC Birmingham and showcased the very best in gardening, from stunning show gardens to informative talks by top horticultural experts. If you’re passionate about gardening or looking for inspiration for your garden, this post is for you!

Show Gardens: A Feast for the Eyes and Taste Buds

One of the main attractions at Gardeners' World Live 2024 was the spectacular show gardens. This year, there was a noticeable trend towards incorporating more vegetables into the designs, highlighting the beauty and utility of edible gardens. Here are two standout gardens:

The Viewers' Garden: This garden was a wonderful example of how to blend vegetables seamlessly with ornamental plants and upcycling materials to create a gorgeous garden.

The Plot with Chickens: This garden was a delightful mix of vegetable plots and chickens. Designed by Ben, it showcased how you can create a sustainable and productive garden while keeping chickens. I had the pleasure of talking to Ben about his inspiration and the practical aspects of integrating chickens into a garden.

In the Halls: A Shopper's Paradise

After exploring the show gardens, I ventured into the halls where an array of gardening products awaited. Here, I picked up a few items that caught my eye:

Innovative Gardening Tools: From ergonomic hand tools to state-of-the-art watering systems, the range of products on offer was impressive.

Unique Plant Varieties: I found some rare and unusual plants that I can't wait to add to my garden.

Garden Decor: Beautiful garden ornaments and decor items were available to help personalise any garden space.

Plant Expert Stand: A Conversation with Lucy and Saul

One of the highlights of my visit was the opportunity to talk to Lucy and Saul at the Plant Expert Stand. They provided invaluable advice on plant care and selection.

Why Visit Gardeners' World Live?

Gardeners' World Live is more than just a garden show; it’s an experience that inspires and educates. Here are a few reasons why you should attend:

Inspiration: Discover new ideas and trends in gardening.

Education: Learn from the best in the industry through talks and demonstrations.

Community: Connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts.

Shopping: Access a wide range of gardening products and plants.

Conclusion

My trip to Gardeners' World Live 2024 was an unforgettable experience, filled with inspiration and practical tips for every gardener. If you’re passionate about gardening, I highly recommend visiting this fantastic event. Tune into our podcast to hear more about my adventure and get some exclusive tips from the experts!

Call to Action

Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more gardening tips and updates. If you enjoyed this post, share it with your fellow gardening enthusiasts and let us know your favourite part of Gardeners' World Live 2024 in the comments below

Welcome to episode 557 of the Veg Grower Podcast! I'm Richard, and I'm here to encourage and inspire more people to grow their own food by sharing my 30 years of gardening experience. In this week's episode, we dive into refreshing the fruit garden, reflect on the 'Dig for Victory' campaign during WWII, share a delicious beetroot soup recipe from Chef Scott, and provide an update from the allotment. Let’s get started!

In the Fruit Garden:

In this segment, I take you to my front garden or fruit garden as its sometimes called. Where I grow a variety of fruit trees and bushes in pots. I discuss the importance of regular weeding, watering, and feeding to keep your plants healthy. I also explain the 'June drop,' a natural process where fruit trees shed some of their fruits to ensure the remaining ones are well-nourished. Learn about the benefits of thinning fruit and summer pruning to promote better growth and higher quality fruit and a better fruit garden.

Key Points:

Regular weeding and watering

Understanding the 'June drop'

Benefits of thinning fruit

Summer pruning techniques

Reflecting on WWII's Dig for Victory:

Last weekend marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which got me thinking about the 'Dig for Victory' campaign during WWII. This initiative encouraged people to turn their gardens into food-producing spaces to combat food shortages. I reflect on what my garden might have been like back then and discuss the importance of self-sufficiency and community gardening in times of crisis. Could we survive if a similar situation arose today? Join me as I explore these thoughts and encourage you to think about how you could adapt your own gardening practices.

Key Points:

History of the 'Dig for Victory' campaign

Importance of self-sufficiency and community gardening

Adapting modern gardening techniques for crisis situations

Chef Scott’s Botwinka Recipe:

This week, Chef Scott has shared a delightful Botwinka recipe. Beetroots are not only nutritious but also versatile in the kitchen. Tune in to get the full recipe and tips on how to make this vibrant and delicious soup. It's a perfect dish to enjoy while reaping the rewards of your gardening efforts.

In the Allotment:

In the final segment, I update you on the latest happenings at the allotment. After the theft of our raised beds last week, we've rebuilt them and made significant progress. I planted out sweetcorn, tomatoes, and cucumbers into the new beds, something I had planned to do earlier but was delayed due to the theft. Additionally, I harvested broad beans, rhubarb, and our first early potatoes of the season. It's always rewarding to see the fruits of our labour, despite the setbacks.

Key Points:

Rebuilding stolen raised beds

Planting sweetcorn, tomatoes, and cucumbers

Harvesting broad beans, rhubarb, and early potatoes

Supporters Club:

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Discount codes

Premier seeds direct: vegpod10 for 10% off your orders

Auto pot: AUTO10rvg for 10% off

Thank you for joining me in the garden today. Stay tuned for more gardening tips, historical reflections, and delicious recipes in future episodes. Happy gardening!

Welcome to another episode of the Veg Grower Podcast! In episode 556, we have a jam-packed programme designed to inspire you to grow your own food and share in the joys and challenges of gardening. From the excitement of this month's seed selection "Beetroot Boltardy" to the unfortunate incident of theft on my allotment, we cover a range of topics that every gardening enthusiast can relate to. Plus, we've got a delicious recipe from Chef Scott and tips on harvesting garlic. Let's dive in!

Seed of the Month - Beetroot Boltardy

This week, we kick off with our "Seed of the Month" feature, highlighting the versatile and reliable Beetroot Boltardy. In collaboration with Premier Seeds, we're excited to offer our listeners a 10% discount on orders using discount code vegpod10. Beetroot Boltardy is known for its excellent flavour and resistance to bolting, making it a fantastic choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Don’t forget to use the discount code provided in the episode!

Join Our Supporters Club

Support the Veg Grower Podcast by joining our Supporters Club. Members enjoy exclusive benefits, including early access to episodes, special content, and more. Your support helps us continue to bring you the best gardening tips and advice.

Theft on the Allotment

In a more sombre segment, I discuss a distressing incident where someone stole four of my raised beds from the allotment. It's heart-breaking to see the fruits of your labour taken away, but I'm determined to rebuild and secure my garden better. I share my thoughts on how to prevent such incidents and the steps I'm taking to protect my allotment in the future.

Chef Scott’s Recipe of the Week: Roasted Cabbage

This week's mouth-watering recipe comes from Chef Scott, who teaches us how to prepare roasted cabbage. This simple yet flavourful dish is perfect for any meal. Be sure to check the link in the episode description for the full recipe and step-by-step instructions.

Harvesting Early Wight Garlic

As we approach the end of the episode, I talk about my success with the early Wight garlic. I explain how to tell when garlic is ready for harvesting and share tips on recognising the signs that other varieties are ready as well. Harvesting garlic at the right time ensures the best flavour and longevity, so you won't want to miss this segment.

Thank you for tuning into episode 556 of the Veg Grower Podcast. Remember to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with fellow gardening enthusiasts. Join us next week for more tips, stories, and inspiration from the allotment. Don't forget to follow us on social media

If you want to get in touch you can click here or email me [email protected]

Discount codes

Premier seeds direct: use discount code vegpod10 for 10% off your order

Autopot.co.uk: Use discount code AUTO10RVG for 10% off your order

Join Richard in this week's podcast as he embarks on an ambitious quest: to produce enough compost to meet the demands of his allotment year-round. Additionally, Richard visits the stunning West Dean Gardens, a remarkable vegetable garden near Chichester, West Sussex, and announces the winner of the Belfast Sink competition.

Allotment Update: The Compost Challenge

This week, Richard has been diligently spreading compost on his allotment beds, particularly around his potato plants. This task sparked a thought-provoking question: can he produce enough compost to have it readily available whenever he needs it?

Typically, compost is spread during the winter when beds are vacant. However, Richard aims to grow food all year round and needs compost at various times throughout the year. For instance, his garlic bed will soon be empty, and he plans to plant beans in its place. Before planting, he wants to enrich the soil with fresh compost.

In this episode, Richard explores various strategies to achieve continuous compost production. One practical tip he shares is using a compost thermometer to monitor the composting process. You can purchase a compost thermometer here.

Garden Tour: A Visit to West Dean Gardens

Richard loves exploring public gardens, especially those with vegetable plots. This week, he takes listeners on a virtual tour of the walled gardens at West Dean, near Chichester. Having visited these gardens regularly in the past, Richard reflects on the changes over the years and seeks inspiration for his own garden.

Vegetable Garden Update: Winner of the Belfast Sink Competition

The Belfast Sink competition has concluded, and the winner is Veronica, with her brilliant idea of creating an edible flower garden in the sink. Taking advantage of the bank holiday, Richard has transformed the sink into a vibrant garden, planting:

Marigolds

Nasturtiums

Dahlias

Cornflowers

Hibiscus

Pansies

What would you plant in an edible flower garden?

Support and Subscribe

If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate and review it on your preferred podcast platform. To support the show, consider joining our supporters club by clicking the button below. Don't forget to use our exclusive discount codes:

Premier Seeds Direct: Use code VEGPOD10 for 10% off.

AutoPot: Use code AUTO10RVG for 10% off their self-watering systems.

Thank you for listening, and happy gardening!

Join Richard in this weeks podcasts where the on going battle with slugs and snails continues but Richard thinks he has found out why. Richard has also been sowing some flower plants and is joined by Lee Connolly for national children's gardening week.

Where are all these slugs and snails coming from?

In most years Richard never has a problem with slugs and snails. This year however Richard has noticed a huge increase in the amount of slugs and snails at home. The wet winter and spring has of course made the slugs and snail population worse but Richard noticed that the allotment isn't suffering.

So what's changed?

In this segment Richard shares with you what action he has now taken.

Sowing flowers.

You probably thinking Richard doesn't grow flowers! And you would be correct. However Richard does grow edibles and some flowers can be edible and some can be beneficial to his edible crops.

This week Richard has been growing some flowers that full into this category such as

Nasturtiams

Sunflower's

Marigolds

Dahlias

There's many more that can also be sown too.

Chef Scott Recipe Of The Week.

This week chef Scott shares a delicious Pasta with broad bean, pancetta and parmesan. Which sounds delicious but also uses broad beans that have just came into season.

National Children's Gardening Week.

And finally Richard is joined by Lee Connolly of the Skinny Jean Gardener where we are talking about National children's gardening week.

Lee has offered a discount code for his book from his website using discount code veggrower

If you have enjoyed this podcast then please rate and review on your podcast provider. If you would like to help support this podcast then please consider becoming a supporting member by clicking the button below to find out more.

Join Richard in this weeks podcast where Richard shares why he is not doing No Mow May. A couple of methods of easy irrigation and its time to sow some winter veg.

Allotment update: NO No Mow May.

Down on the allotment Richard has had to make a repair to his lawnmower. A belt change was all that was needed after his lawnmower seemed to not work very well.

This has lead Richard to share his thoughts on why he is not doing No Mow May this year. No Mow May is a month where gardeners don't mow their grass areas in order to encourage wild flowers to grow and help our wildlife.

In The Vegetable Garden: Easy Irrigation

Irrigation is a time consuming part of growing your own food, but its a necessary task that helps our plants thrive.

Because of this Richard has started to experiment with 2 methods that might help with irrigation

Method one is an autopot system. The system is the 2 pot system which uses gravity to keep pots well irrigated and should lead to plenty of good growth and good veg.

If you are interested in this autopot system then Richard has got a discount code for you use the code AUTO10RVG when buying from Autopot.co.uk

Method two is an ancient method using a terracotta pot called an olla. This olla is submerged in the ground and slowly trickles water to the soil. It should be interesting to see how well this system works.

In The Shed: Sowing Winter Veg.

Winter might seem a long time away, but if we want to eat in winter there's some veg we need to sow now. These seeds include, winter squash, many brassicas and of course Parsnips

This week Richard has been sowing lots of these seeds in order to keep growing and eating in the winter months.

Chef Scott's Recipe Of The Week: Sweetcorn, Feta And Bean Salad.

This week Chef Scott shares with us this delicious Sweetcorn, feta and black bean salad. Which not only sounds delicious but also is on the back of this months seed of the month.

The seed of the month is in collaboration with Premier seeds direct. A fantastic supplier for plants seeds but also have given us a discount code VEGPOD10

And finally.

We hope you have enjoyed this podcast. If you have then please rate and review on your podcast provider.

If you want to support this podcast then please consider becoming a member of our supporters club. Fond out more on the button below.

Join Richard in this weeks podcast where Richard has taken a trip to BBC gardeners world spring fair. An annual event at Beulieu motor museum in the new forest. Richard also shares the seed of the month a sweetcorn variety from premier seeds and he has been planting seed on the allotment.

Gardeners world spring fair 2024.

On Friday Richard headed to Beulieu motor museum, house and gardens for the annual BBC gardeners world spring fair. We have been attending this event for a few years and we always enjoy the show.

Richard takes us through the kitchen garden at Beulieu as well as visits a couple of show gardens and finishes off with a bit of shopping.

Always a thoroughly enjoyable event but if you went let us know your experience.

Seed of the month: Sweetcorn Rising Sun.

Each month we have a seed of the month in collaboration with Premier seeds direct. Premier seeds direct are a fantastic supplier of all your garden seed needs.

This month we have a sweetcorn variety Rising Sun which is an early sweet variety of sweetcorn. Easy to grow and Richard considers sweetcorn to be a staple in any kitchen garden or allotment.

Don't forget to use discount code vegpod10 for a further discount on already low prices at Premier seeds direct.

Down the allotment.

Down on the allotment Richard has been getting lots of plants in the ground. This year has been a tricky year and there's been a lot of worry about it being too cold or wet to get plants in the ground. Richard decided to get a few in the ground now and see how it works out but it seems to have worked well.

Listen to the podcast to find out more.

Support this podcast.

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This week on the veg grower podcast, Richard has been busy potting on young plants, sowing parsnips and tending to his Rhubarb.

Potting on

We start this week in the greenhouse, where Richard is potting on lots of young plants into bigger and bigger pots. Richard like to wait for the compost to have plenty of roots before potting up. That way the root ball comes out easily and the compost doesn't get wasted.

Potting up is essential for encouraging growth in our young plants. Given the roots more space to stretch out and search for moisture and nutrients.

Richard usually uses a large collection of plastic pots which get re used over and over again. However he is also using some biodegradable pots including some from wool pots.

Support this podcast.

Sowing parsnips.

This week Richard has sown some parsnips. Parsnips of course being a fantastic tasty winter veg.

But getting parsnips seeds to germinate can be tricky!!!

Richard believes this to be due to the soil temperature. Parsnip seed germinates in soil above 12c. There's an old wives tail about how to test if the soil is warm enough but the best way to test is with a soil thermometer.

Chef Scott's recipe of the week.

This week chef Scott has a delicious Asparagus hummus recipe for you to try. A great way to make a healthy tasty dip from your asparagus harvests.

Rhubarb check up.

Inspired by the asparagus recipe Richard heads over to his asparagus and rhubarb to make a few pickings. Rhubarb is in plentiful supply currently but flower spikes have appeared.

Flower spikes on Rhubarb is usually a sign of stress. Given the weather its not surprising and its easy to rectify.