Home Grown with Martha and Jamie

In this weeks episode Martha and Jamie discuss how saving seed can be simple, satisfying and useful in gardens of every size. They give a practical introduction to saving seeds from many of the plants likely already growing in your garden, such as peas, beans, lettuce, calendula and tomatoes. They cover why we should avoid seed from early-bolting crops, useful drying and storing techniques, the history of commercial plant breeding, seed registration and the important role of home gardeners in keeping varieties alive. Martha also shares the story of Nikolai Vavilov, his international seed collection and the brave scientists who guarded it at all costs during the siege of Leningrad.

And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below with 20% off your first order with code 'Homegrown':

French bean Firetongue:
https://shegrowsveg.com/product/french-bean-firetongue/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

You now send us a message, voice note or picture on Whatsapp: +447999548073
or email us at: hello@homegrownpod.com

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton
Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin
Artwork: Rare Studio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks episode Martha and Jamie are joined by soil and compost expert Michael Kennard of Compost Club to explore all things compost and soil health. Michael explains why microbes matter, what good compost should look and smell like, How to make better compost, and where gardeners with limited space should begin. Martha also reveals her 18-month-old bokashi disaster before the group compares bokashi, wormeries, cold piles and hot composters, and asks how local Compost Clubs could keep food waste and nutrients within communities.

And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below with 20% off your first order with code 'Homegrown':

Mustard Spinach Purple Komatsuna:
https://shegrowsveg.com/product/mustard-spinach-purple-komatsuna/

And if you'd like to find out more about Compost Club the link to Michael's website is below:
https://www.compostclub.online/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

You now send us a message, voice note or picture on Whatsapp: +447999548073

or email us at: hello@homegrownpod.com

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton
Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin
Artwork: Rare Studio
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks episode, Martha and Jamie ensure that you do not miss the second spring! the early-autumn window for sowing crops that can feed you through winter and into next year. From winter radish, cold hardy greens, and winter lettuces, to Asian greens and even quick carrots, they provide ideas for all growing spaces and contexts. There is also a practical guide to planting hardneck and softneck garlic, covering cold requirements, scapes, storage and spacing. Martha then travels back to the intensive market gardens of nineteenth-century Paris, where horse-manure hotbeds, cloches and walls helped growers crop throughout the year, and how those principles could be used in our gardens today.

And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below with 20% off your first order with code 'Homegrown':

Purple Pussycat Autumn Radish:
https://shegrowsveg.com/product/autumn-radish-purple-pussycat/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

You now send us a message, voice note or picture on Whatsapp: +447999548073
or email us at: hello@homegrownpod.com

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton
Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin
Artwork: Rare Studio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week episode Martha and Jamie discuss what to sow, grow and do in the garden in this month of transitions. Martha investigates a mysterious tomato problem with a microscope, they explain why spiders suddenly seem to appear in September, and Jamie shares his elderberry syrup method. There is also advice on weather-resilient soil, wildlife-friendly autumn tidying and harvesting grapes, nuts and berries.

And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below with 20% off your first order with code 'Homegrown':

Giant Winter Spinach:
https://shegrowsveg.com/product/spinach-winter-giant/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

You now send us a message, voice note or picture on Whatsapp: +447999548073
or email us at: hello@homegrownpod.com

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton
Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin
Artwork: Rare Studio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks plot to plate episode, Martha and Jamie share the favourite ways to use August vegetable garden produce while it is at its peak. With recipes such as raw courgetti "bolognese", crisp courgette fritti, aubergine parmigiana, miso aubergine, tomato summer pudding, and mustard tomato tart, you'll be sure to find some inspiration for using up those summer gluts!

They also discuss preserving ideas too, including whole ferments, fruit leather, dried herbs and a memorable jar of cucumbers that refuses to open. Martha also introduces a herb linked to both love potions and flatulence, before the pair finish with wartime carrot stories and a reminder that many familiar foods began as ways to make a harvest last.

And If you would like to grow our seed of the week, or some of the other varieties we discussed, you can find the links below with 20% off your first order with code 'Homegrown':

Autumn Overwintering Onion Senshyu:
https://shegrowsveg.com/product/overwintering-onion-senshyu/

We love hearing your questions and comments - so please do get in touch:

You now send us a message, voice note or picture on Whatsapp: +447999548073
or email us at: hello@homegrownpod.com

Presented by: Martha Swales and Jamie Walton
Video Editor and Socials: Thomas Griffin
Artwork: Rare Studio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.