Join Richard in this weeks episode in which we have Mays seed of the month and Richard visits gardeners world spring fair at Beulieu in the new forest. Also Richard shares the latest from the allotment and Chef Scott is back with a delicious asparagus recipe.
Kitchen garden update: Seed of the month Runner Bean.
We find ourselves in May and its time for our seed of the month. This month its the runner bean which isn't one of Richards favourite vegetables but it certainly brings back lots of memories.
Runner beans are often considered a staple for many and they are a very reliable crop. As a legume they also feed the soil with nitrogen so many benefits to growing beans.
Some of Richards favourite verities are listed below with affiliate links:
Runner Bean Lady Di a good reliable runner bean.
Bellotto bean a beautiful looking bean
Polestar stringless a string less variety
Dwarf runner bean bean Hestia A dwarfing plant but still produces well
Many more choices out there as well.
The show season has started with gardeners world spring fair
Richard headed down to The national motor museum at Beulieu this week for the Gardeners world spring fair, which happens to be one of Richards favourite gardening shows.
As always its another fantastic show with plenty of show gardens to see and talks to listen too.
Also Richard came back with plenty of purchases from independent stall holders too.
Chef Scott's Recipe of the week: Asparagus wrapped in Parma with buretta and salsa verde
Chef Scott is back with another seasonal recipe and this week its perfect as Richard has just harvested his first asparagus.
This recipe uses asparagus wrapped in ham and served with a cheese stuffing and salsa verde is just mouth watering
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30:34
#603 Visiting a blast from the past, Stephens allotment.
In this weeks veg grower podcast Richard shares the latest from his allotment including more straw bail gardening and mulching. Richard also visits Stephens allotment and hear the latest from Richards kitchen Garden.
Allotment update: Using more straw
Down on Richards allotment Richard has been investing a lot into straw. Using straw bail gardening in a metal raised planter that would cost a fortune to fill wiht compost, might be an easy solution. But Richard has also used straw to mulch his potatoes.
One of the most important things Richard believes anyone can do with there allotment is to mulch. Mulching feeds the soil, suppresses weeds and reduces watering. All of which saves the gardener time and resources.
Stephens allotment
Its been a few years since we last visited Stephens allotment but this week Richard has visited Stephen on his small allotment to find out how his allotment is getting on and how productive it has been.
Stephens blog can be found at http://sunflower.moleville.co.uk/
Chef Scott's recipe of the week Rhubarb and ginger cordial
Chef Scott is back with a refreshing rhubarb and ginger cordial, perfect way to rehydrate after a hard days work in the garden.
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37:57
#602 Spending Easter weekend Gardening.
Join Richard in this weeks podcast in which Richard has spent this Easter Weekend gardening. Chef Scott is also back with another tasty recipe.
Kitchen Garden Update: Easter Weekend Gardening
Over this weekend Richard has spent a lot of time in his kitchen garden. It started with a good tidy up ensuring all weeds where removed and the grass cut. Followed up with cementing in a washing line, another use for the garden and Richard finally removed an elder tree.
Richard was reluctant to remove this elder tree but being to close to the neighbours fence he felt it needed to go. Added to that Richard will also get wood chip from the removal of this tree.
On the bank holiday Monday Richard also spent the day potting up lots of his plants, getting them into bigger pots.
Allotment update:
Down the allotment Richard is still finding it a little too early to plant out any plants but that doesn't mean he cant prepare. He went through every bed removing every single weed and followed that up with a good cut of the grass paths. This has made the allotment look amazing and prepared for the growing season.
The grass clippings of course where not wasted and used as a mulch around many of Richards plants, Locking in moisture and suppressing weeds.
Added to that so many fruit trees and bushes are in flower and it looks like its going to be a good year for currents.
Chef Scott's recipe of the week
Chef Scott is back with another delicious recipe using a large amount of coriander. This Chermoula is a vibrant and tasty dip.
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29:11
#601 We’re Trying Again At Straw Bale Gardening
Join Richard in this weeks episode of the veg grower podcast. This week Richard is having another go at straw bale gardening in the kitchen garden. Down the allotment Richard has been sowing lots of seeds directly into the ground, and finally Richard is joined by Lee Connolly The Skinny Jean Gardener to discuss national kids gardening week.
Of course chef Scott is also back with another delicious recipe.
Kitchen garden update: Straw Bale Gardening.
A couple of years ago Richard tried Straw Bale Gardening. A method of growing plants in straw bales. However, when Richard tried he didn't feel it was as successful as it could be, so this year he decided to give it another go.
Richard has got 2 straw bales and set them in position and started the conditioning phase of this system. The conditioning phase is where Richard believed he went wrong last time as he used the incorrect fertiliser to start it off. This time he is using urea to add a high amount of nitrogen to the straw bales. This should hopefully get the bales started correctly but there is a routine to this conditioning phase as below.
Day 11/2 cup urea per baleWater until saturatedDay 2Water until saturatedDay 31/2 cup urea per baleWater until saturatedDay 45litre water per baleDay 51/2 cup urea per bale5litre per baleDay 65litre per baleDay 71/4 cup urea per bale5litre per baleDay 81/4 cup urea per bale5litre per baleDay 91/4 cup urea per bale5litre per baleDay 101 cup balanced fertiliser5litre per baleDay 111 cup balanced fertiliser5litre per baleDay 121 cup balanced fertiliser5litre per bale
After this the straw bales are ready for planting. Check out the Digwell YouTube Channel for more.
Allotment update: Sowing Seeds Directly.
Down on the allotment Richard has been busy clearing and preparing the allotment for the growing season. But that also includes sowing a few seeds directly, which is something Richard rarely does.
However some seeds do need direct sowing and they include:
Carrots
Parsnips
Peas
Links are included to Premier seeds direct.
Chef Scott's recipe of the week.
Chef Scott is back with his recipe of the week and this weeks its another simple dish using radishes. Roasted Radishes with feta is sure to delight anyone who eats this dish.
National Kids Gardening Week.
In the last segment this week Richard is joined by his friend and fellow gardening podcaster, Lee Connelly The Skinny Jean Gardener.
Lee's here this week to promote and upcoming event, National Children's gardening week. THe plan is to get as many children and families out into the garden this week, with prizes up for grabs.
Support this podcast
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40:12
#600 Hotbin vs Dalek
Join Richard in the 600th episode of the veg grower podcast. This week Richard has an update from the allotment followed by a new trail, Hotbin vs Dalek.
At the end of this podcast you can also be in with a chance to win a pair of tickets to gardeners world spring fair on Sunday the 4th May 2025
If you are interested in growing your own food , then this is the podcast for you. Each week Join Richard Suggett as he shares his experience of growing food in his allotment and back garden.
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