The Veg Grower Podcast

• #617: August Sowing, Allotment Therapy & The Power of Pak Choi

  Welcome back to this week's episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, where we share our journey of growing food here on the South Coast of the UK and inspire you to do the same—whatever your space! This Week in the Garden In this episode, I reflect on a much-needed day at the allotment. With ongoing home renovations weighing heavily, I took a full day to reset among the raised beds, buzzing bees (including one surprise wasp’s nest!), and late summer crops. There’s something about the allotment that clears the mind, and I really needed that mental escape this week. After a good tidy with the strimmer and lawn mower, I experimented with the chop-and-drop method—leaving weeds and trimmings on the soil surface to decompose and feed the beds in place. I also checked on our cabbages where the first earlies were previously growing, and they’re settling in nicely. Our maincrop potatoes are beginning to yellow, a clear sign they're nearly ready for harvest. And yes, I did get stung (on the ear!)—a not-so-friendly reminder that we share our spaces with nature. Always tread carefully! Seed of the Month: Pak Choi August may seem like a quiet time for sowing, but it’s actually perfect for leafy crops—and pak choi is our standout pick. Fast-growing, versatile, and brilliant in everything from stir-fries to Thai green curries, pak choi thrives in the cooler evenings of August without bolting. Here’s how I sow it: Start in plug trays with seed compost, 1cm deep. Germinate in the propagation shed, then plant out in 2–3 weeks. Space at 20cm apart for full heads or closer for baby leaves. Consistent watering is essential to avoid bolting. Mulch well and protect with mesh to fend off flea beetle and butterflies. Within 6–8 weeks, you’ll be harvesting full heads—or much sooner for baby leaves! Buy your seeds from our trusted suppliers Ruby f1 a red leaved pak choi White stem, one of my most regullery grown pak choi varities Qing choi an intersting but large variety Recipe of the Week: Cauliflower Pakoras Chef Scott is back with a tasty treat—crispy cauliflower pakoras (or use any mix of veg). They’re packed with spice and easy to whip up. You’ll need cauliflower, gram flour, mint, coriander, and a warming blend of cumin, garam masala, Kashmiri chilli powder and more. Simply whisk, mix and fry. Find the full recipe on our website or Chef Scott’s Instagram @seedtotableplot13. Seeds You Can Still Sow in August Don’t be fooled—August has plenty of sowing potential. Some crops to get in the ground now include: Leafy greens: spinach, rocket, mizuna, lettuce, corn salad Orientals: pak choi, mustard greens Overwintering onions & spring onions Turnips, radicchio, chard, kohl rabi Chillies (for overwintering) Green manures for soil health These will give you a harvest later this year or set you up nicely for winter and spring. Listener Comments Thank you for all the feedback on Spotify this week! We heard from: Henry who’s been experimenting with compost and straw mulch. Becky, new to veg growing, is hoping for a patty pan squash recipe (Scott’s on it!). Linda, with 25 years of chicken-keeping wisdom, recommends avoiding wooden coops. And Natalie, who raised a great question about washing recyclables. We’ll dig into that one!

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• #616 – Water-Saving Solutions, Greenhouse Goodness & Getting Started with Chickens

  This week’s episode of The Veg Grower Podcast is full of practical tips and heartfelt reflections from the kitchen garden and beyond. With a hosepipe ban potentially on the way, Richard shares his water-saving strategies, gives us a greenhouse tour, and answers a listener question about keeping chickens for the first time. Here's what you'll hear in this episode: Kitchen Garden Update It’s been a hot and dry week, and water has become more precious than ever. Richard has been getting inventive, using recycled water from the bath and kitchen sink to keep things growing. The greenhouse is thriving thanks to the autopot system, with tomatoes, aubergines, chillies, and cucumbers all coming along nicely. He also shares how he’s still sowing seeds even in late July – including kale, chard, winter lettuce and microgreens on the windowsill – proving it’s never too late to start something new. Allotment Update Down on the allotment, Richard reflects on the emotional loss of one of his hens. This prompts a discussion on preparing for changes and the importance of having flexible growing systems in place. He also shares some small wins – like harvesting courgettes and using water wisely – and hints at a few jobs lined up for the weekend. Main Feature: Keeping Chickens – A Beginner’s Guide Prompted by a listener question, Richard dives into the basics of chicken keeping from a gardener’s perspective. In this guide, you’ll hear about: How many chickens to start with Choosing between wood or plastic coops (and why he prefers plastic) Feeding, cleaning, and daily routines Dealing with common issues like rats and red mite Why chickens are such a rewarding addition to the garden This segment is packed with tips for anyone considering their first flock – or looking to improve their current setup. Recipe of the Week Chef Scott returns with something a little different: Blackberry & Chilli Sauce. It’s sweet, spicy, and perfect for crispy duck, BBQ meats or even grilled vegetables. Find the full recipe here or on Scott’s Instagram: @seedtotableplot13. Final Thoughts With the weather heating up and water becoming more limited, this episode is a reminder of how adaptable and inventive gardeners can be. From water-saving ideas to preparing for livestock, there’s always something to learn and improve on.

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• #615 Caterpillar Chaos, Rain Relief, and Favourite Garden Tools

  This week on the Veg Grower Podcast, I share a jam-packed update from both the allotment and home garden, reflecting on everything from caterpillar invasions to rainwater harvesting – with plenty of musings on the tools that truly earn their keep. Allotment Update: Rain, Brambles & Brassicas The long-awaited rain finally arrived in Littlehampton, giving the allotment a much-needed drink and easing the burden of watering. Rainwater always seems to perk up the plants more than tap water ever could. However, with the rain came growth in less welcome areas. Nettles and brambles have run rampant near both sheds. One area may be transformed into a new corrugated iron bed, while the gooseberry patch might require drastic action to remove deeply rooted brambles. The biggest issue, though, is caterpillars. With netting blown off the brassicas, cabbage white butterflies have taken full advantage. Cauliflower crops have been hit the hardest, and I’m now picking off caterpillars by hand – and letting the chickens lend a helping beak. At Home: Companion Planting & Metal Arch Makeover Back in the kitchen garden, there's better news. Despite no netting on the brassicas at home, there are no caterpillar problems – likely thanks to bird activity and clever companion planting. Nasturtiums, used as a sacrificial crop, are proving their worth by attracting pests away from the main crops. I also share how an old metal arch is being transformed into a feature piece in the garden, destined to support an apple and pear tree to form an edible archway. A win for productivity and garden design. Tools of the Trade: What’s Worth Keeping? Inspired by recent renovations and a bit of a tidy-up, I’ve been reflecting on the tools I actually use – and which ones it’s time to pass on. Tools I wouldn't be without: Hori Hori Knife – for digging, cutting, and planting Battery-powered Strimmer – lightweight and perfect for borders Battery Hedge Trimmer – efficient and hassle-free Secateurs – a sharp, reliable pair is essential Perennial Spade – narrow blade for tighter spaces normal spade – handy for bigger jobs Fork – perfect for loosening soil Ryobi Stick Pump – brilliant for pumping water from the butt to the beds Hoe – fast weeding between rows Rake – spreading compost or mulch There’s no point keeping tools that don’t earn their place. I’m ready to clear out the clutter and make room for the tools that work hard. Chef Scott’s Recipe of the Week Scott’s been back in the kitchen giving cucumber a brand new lease of life. This week’s recipe pairs warm cucumber with hot smoked salmon and watercress, topped with a creamy horseradish and lemon dressing. A great way to use seasonal ingredients in a dish with a bit of flair. And Finally… It wouldn’t be a Veg Grower Podcast without a bit of drama – this week’s episode features a mishap with a snapped allotment key. Should I keep a battery-powered angle grinder in the car? You decide. Thanks for listening, and a big thank you to all our Supporters Club members who keep the podcast going.

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• #614– Digging Deep: Soil Surprises, Straw Bale Success & Ladybird Swarms

  This week’s episode of the Veg Grower Podcast takes a deeper look at what lies beneath – literally and figuratively. With driveway works revealing long-hidden soil and water pipes, and a hot, dry summer pushing crops and gardeners alike, there’s plenty to reflect on. Here’s what you’ll hear in episode #614: Home Plot Update: What Lies Beneath? Work began this week on replacing the front driveway – an area where Richard previously grew fruit trees and bushes in pots. As the old concrete and gravel were removed, soil that hadn’t seen daylight in nearly 100 years was exposed. What did it look like? Lifeless. No worms, no structure, no organic matter. Just solid clay and compacted ground. This led to a powerful comparison with the healthy, rich, worm-filled soil in the veg beds – a reminder of just how important compost, mulch, and time are in building soil life. It also triggered a bigger thought: what’s beneath our gardens? A small leak in the water pipe and damaged drains revealed how much infrastructure quietly runs under our feet. What would happen if a pipe burst beneath your allotment or veg patch? Something to consider before planting perennials or laying paths. Allotment Update: Mornings and Mulch With high temperatures continuing, Richard has shifted his allotment routine to early mornings – working from 6:30 to 9:30am across the weekend. This made all the difference, especially for weeding and watering. First and second early potatoes are now being harvested Straw mulch continues to prove invaluable – potato beds are holding moisture well despite the heat Straw bale gardening is also thriving, with the internal moisture levels keeping plants happy with very little watering Richard shares his watering strategy too – watering deeply once a week to encourage deep roots, rather than frequent shallow watering. He uses the classic ‘finger test’ to check moisture and shares how to read plant signs. Midseason Blues? Keep Going Around this time each year, many gardeners feel discouraged and start talking about “writing off” the season. Richard urges listeners to reframe that thinking. There’s still time to: Sow green manures to feed the soil and attract pollinators Fill gaps with quick-growing crops like spinach, radish or carrots Reflect and adapt – not every season is perfect, but there’s always something to learn Recipe of the Week: Homegrown Tomatoes with Anchovy, Lemon, Basil & Caper Dressing Chef Scott is celebrating the tomato harvest with a fresh, bold-flavoured salad that lets ripe tomatoes shine. It’s a simple dish – tomatoes, anchovies, lemon zest, capers, olive oil and basil – but full of depth and perfect for a warm summer meal. Listener Message: Sterling from Seattle A shout-out to long-time listener Sterling from Seattle, who left a lovely voice message about discovering the podcast while searching for how to grow potatoes. He also shared how he tried Chef Scott’s rhubarb crumble recipe, swapping in strawberries. We love hearing stories like this! Ladybird Boom & Natural Pest Control There’s good news for gardeners this week – ladybird numbers are booming. A reported swarm even disrupted a cricket match at Lord’s! Ladybirds are a natural predator of aphids, and their increasing numbers this year are linked to the warm weather and rising aphid populations. Richard shares tips on encouraging beneficial predators, like: Leaving out shallow water bowls and shelter piles Planting flowers that attract insects Avoiding pesticides Considering green manures that also feed pollinators Final Thought:A hot week above ground. Big revelations beneath it. This episode is a reminder that gardening is as much about observation and reflection as it is about digging and sowing.

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• 613 – Filling the Gaps, Compost Trials & The Great Driveway Move

  This week’s episode of The Veg Grower Podcast is a true slice of life from the garden and allotment. As the height of summer brings its usual mix of challenges and opportunities, I share what I’ve been up to, what’s working, and what I’ve learned. Here’s what you can expect: Allotment Update: Back on Track After weeks of feeling behind, I’ve finally managed to get the allotment back under control. I spent time working through every bed, tidying, weeding, watering, and harvesting a satisfying haul – including potatoes, broad beans, raspberries, rhubarb, cabbage, gooseberries, and more. I also talk about thinning out my apples and pears by hand this year, due to a surprising lack of the usual June drop. Thinning feels counterintuitive, but the results in fruit size and quality are worth it. Dealing with Weedy Boundaries I touch on the ongoing battle with brambles spilling over from the neighbouring, abandoned allotment. It's a persistent nuisance and a reminder of how quickly things can get out of hand without regular maintenance. Straw Mulch Continues to Prove Itself The ongoing dry weather has made watering a near-daily task – but the beds mulched with straw are noticeably better at retaining moisture. I share just how well it’s working, and why I’m planning to mulch all beds with straw after laying compost each year. Filling the Gaps – Mid-Summer Sowing With a few crops failing (including sweetcorn devastated by slugs), and others now harvested, I’ve started sowing again to avoid empty beds. I walk you through what I’m sowing in the potting shed to fill those gaps: Dwarf French beans Chard Spinach Lettuce Microgreens Plus suggestions for what to sow direct this month: Carrots Beetroot Radish Turnips Kohlrabi Salad crops My approach continues to favour starting in modules to avoid confusion with weeds – except for root crops, which go straight into the soil. Visitors, Filming & The Great Driveway Move It’s been a busy week not just in the garden, but at home too. I hosted a filming day with the team from AutoPot, who make one of my favourite irrigation systems. We use their kit in the greenhouse and now in the potting shed – it’s a game-changer for watering seedlings and young plants. On top of that, the front driveway is being replaced – a big job, and one that required relocating every single fruit tree and plant growing out front. I talk about what that process was like and why we chose a porous surface to help with drainage and sustainability. Compost Trial Update: HotBin vs Dalek I share the latest progress in our composting experiment between a HotBin and a traditional Dalek bin. The HotBin continues to impress – producing compost more quickly, breaking down volume effectively, and even generating more liquid feed than my wormery. I discuss materials, challenges with browns, and the signs that it’s working well. Don't forget the discount code VGP10HB Recipe of the Week: Fennel Salad with Grapefruit & Capers Chef Scott celebrates our seed of the month, Florence Fennel, with a light and refreshing summer salad featuring grapefruit, lemon, capers and olive oil. A perfect pairing with grilled fish or pork – and another clever way to enjoy this bold-flavoured vegetable. Listener Comments & Questions We hear from: Annabel , who shares her support for the podcast and a bit of shed envy! Lynn, who’s struggling to stop her pak choi from bolting. I offer some advice: keep the soil moist, offer partial shade, and try spring or autumn sowings when temperatures are cooler. Final Thought:The key message this week? Keep sowing, keep growing, and don’t be afraid to try again. Whether it's replanting a failed crop, trying a new composting method, or moving a garden full of fruit trees, there’s always something to learn.

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