The Veg Grower Podcast

By: Richard
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  • Summary

  • 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.
    Copyright © Podcasting 2021
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Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • #596 How Can Small Daily Gardening Tasks Transform Your Allotment?

    #596 How Can Small Daily Gardening Tasks Transform Your Allotment?
    Mar 10 2025
    In the latest episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, Richard, the primary speaker, shares a wealth of updates and insights from his gardening activities, both at his allotment and at home. This episode is particularly poignant as it is set against the backdrop of Richard's recent job change, which has significantly impacted his schedule for visiting the allotment. Despite these changes, Richard emphasizes the value of dedicating a little time each day to gardening tasks, such as weeding and watering. He highlights how even small, consistent efforts can lead to significant progress in maintaining a healthy garden. The "Little and Often" Gardening Method One of the key themes Richard discusses is the effectiveness of the "little and often" gardening method. This approach involves spending short bursts of time on gardening tasks each day, which can be incredibly effective in maintaining control over an allotment without becoming overwhelmed. Benefits of the "Little and Often" Method: Consistency: Regular attention prevents tasks from piling up. Manageability: Short, daily sessions are less daunting than long, infrequent ones. Efficiency: Focused, daily efforts can lead to a more organized and productive garden. Actionable Tips: Set a Timer: Dedicate 10-20 minutes each day to specific tasks like weeding or watering. Prioritize Tasks: Focus on high-priority tasks that need immediate attention. Stay Flexible: Adjust your tasks based on weather conditions and plant needs. Maintaining Grass Paths for Composting Richard also discusses the importance of keeping grass paths clear, particularly for composting purposes. Well-maintained paths not only enhance the overall appearance of the garden but also facilitate easier access to different areas, making it simpler to manage various gardening tasks. Benefits of Grass Paths: Aesthetic Appeal: Neat paths make the garden look organized. Compost Material: Grass clippings can be added to compost bins or used as mulch. Accessibility: Clear paths make it easier to navigate the garden. Actionable Tips: Regular Mowing: Gradually lower the mower's height each week to keep the grass manageable. Use Clippings Wisely: Add clippings to compost bins or use them as mulch to retain soil moisture. Battery-Powered Mowers: Consider using a battery-powered mower for efficiency and environmental benefits. The Social Aspect of Gardening Gardening is not just about growing plants; it's also about fostering a sense of community. Richard shares anecdotes about his interactions with neighbors at the allotment, illustrating how gardening can bring people together. Benefits of Social Gardening: Knowledge Sharing: Exchange tips, advice, and experiences with fellow gardeners. Community Building: Develop relationships and a sense of belonging. Resource Sharing: Share produce, seeds, and tools with neighbors. Actionable Tips: Engage with Neighbors: Take time to chat and share experiences with fellow gardeners. Join Gardening Groups: Participate in local gardening clubs or online communities. Host Garden Tours: Invite neighbors to tour your garden and share your successes and challenges. Managing Trees and Creating Woodchip for Composting Richard addresses the challenges he faces with managing trees on his property. He talks about the process of processing branches from these trees to create woodchip for composting, which not only helps in recycling materials but also contributes to the sustainability of his gardening practices. Benefits of Woodchip: Soil Improvement: Woodchip adds organic matter to the soil. Moisture Retention: Helps retain soil moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering. Weed Suppression: Acts as a natural mulch to suppress weeds. Actionable Tips: Use a Garden Shredder: Invest in a garden shredder to process branches into woodchip.
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    31 mins
  • #595 Tangy Tomato Our Seed Of The Month

    #595 Tangy Tomato Our Seed Of The Month
    Mar 3 2025
    Spring is creeping in, and with it, the start of another exciting growing season. March is a month of new beginnings—seed trays filling up, beds being prepared, and the first real sense that warmer days are on the way. In this week’s podcast, Richard covers: The Seed of the Month – Tomatoes What can be done on the allotment in March Chef Scott’s recipe: Roast Pork Chops with Rhubarb A review of A Jam Maker’s Garden Let’s get stuck in. Seed of the Month: Tomatoes Few crops are as rewarding as homegrown tomatoes. This month, Richard is sowing a mix of different varieties to suit a range of growing conditions. One of the first tomatoes sown this year was ‘Minibel’ , a dwarf variety ideal for pots and small spaces. One plant has even been growing in Richard’s hydroponic system and is thriving. For those looking for reliability outdoors, ‘Crimson Crush’ is a top choice. This variety is blight-resistant, making it a great option for UK growers who often battle unpredictable summers. Other Great Tomato Varieties to Consider ‘Sungold’ – A cherry tomato with an incredibly sweet flavour. ‘Gardener’s Delight’ – A classic and reliable variety, perfect for greenhouse or outdoor growing. ‘Marmande’ – A large beefsteak variety with a rich flavour, great for slicing. ‘San Marzano’ – The famous Italian plum tomato, perfect for sauces. ‘Alicante’ – A traditional British tomato, known for its excellent taste. ‘Tigerella’ – A striking striped variety with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. How to Sow and Grow Tomatoes When to Sow: January to April (indoors), April-May (outdoors, under protection). Where to Grow: Greenhouse, windowsill, or outdoor containers once the risk of frost has passed. Top Tip: Water consistently—irregular watering can lead to split fruit or blossom end rot. For a full breakdown of tomato growing, including support methods, common problems, and harvesting tips, listen to this week’s episode. Support the Podcast If you enjoy the podcast and want to help keep it going, please take a moment to rate and review it on your favourite podcast platform. It really helps. And if you’d like to become a member of the supporters’ club, you’ll get exclusive content, behind-the-scenes updates, and even some seed giveaways. March on the Allotment March is one of the busiest months on the allotment—the soil is waking up, and so should we. This week, Richard recorded from the plot, getting his hands dirty while discussing the key jobs for the month. March Allotment Tasks Prepare the soil – A light forking over, a good compost top-up, and a check for overwintering weeds. Sow early crops – Broad beans, peas, spinach, beetroot, radish, and early carrots. Plant out onions, shallots, and garlic – A great low-maintenance crop for beginners. Potatoes – Time to get first earlies in the ground. Spring is also a key time for pruning fruit trees and bushes. If you’ve got raspberries, make sure last year’s canes are cut back (if they’re autumn-fruiting) or tied in (for summer-fruiting varieties). It’s a big month, but there’s nothing better than getting stuck in after winter’s quiet months. Recipe of the Week: Roast Pork Chops with Rhubarb This week, Chef Scott brings a seasonal favourite—roast pork chops with rhubarb. If you’ve never paired rhubarb with savoury dishes, this is a great way to try it. Its sharpness cuts through the richness of the pork, creating a beautifully balanced dish. For those growing rhubarb, now is the time for the first harvest. Any flower stalks should be removed to keep the plant productive. Book Review: A Jam Maker’s Garden For those who love preserving the harvest, Holly Farrell’s A Jam Maker’s Garden is an essential read. It’s not just a book of recipes—it guides growers through cultivating and harvesting the best fruit for jam-making, ensuring top flavours and yields.
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    33 mins
  • #594 Its Springing Into Life On The Allotment.

    #594 Its Springing Into Life On The Allotment.
    Feb 24 2025
    Join Richard and Scott in this weeks podcast where this week Richard has noticed that there are signs that the allotment is springing into life. Back at home Richard is building on his grow light system in order to be able to grow more seedlings and he also shares a few insights from the garden press event. Scott is also back with his recipe of the week. Springing Into Life On The Allotment Down on the allotment Richard has seen some signs that spring is just around the corner. Nettles and comfrey are just starting to show, Rhubarb has begun breaking through and even the over wintered garlic and onions are showing signs of life. This is all good signs that spring is just round the corner but bringing with it is of course weed growth too. Time to start weeding more. Grow Lights The Secret To Good Seedlings This week at home Richard has been potting on lots of young seedlings and what he has noticed is that the seedlings under grow lights show better growth both in foliage and in roots. The downside is that he only has so many grow lights and only so much space. Grow lights can be cheap and so Richard has fitted grow lights to the inside of an old bottle fridge in his garage on the hope that will provide more space and better growth on his plants. Will it work only time will tell. Chef Scott's Recipe Of The Week This week Chef Scott is back with another delicious broccoli recipe. This recipe is a very quick and easy dish to make in next to no time. The Garden Press Event This week Richard attended the garden press event which is an annual event for brands to get there latest products in front of the media. Some of Richard most notable items are The App Fryd A soil monitor oko A delicious tasting pear tree Jayes fluid Check out the podcast to find out more
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    35 mins

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Profile Image for A. Anderson

Lovely podcast!

I just discovered this podcast today and have listened to two episodes. it's lovely! I think it'll be a regular listen for me, because it sounds like just a normal guy, though very knowledgeable, rather than an 'expert' from the RHS or celebrity, its just the right length, and I'm looking forward to working my way through the back catalogue.

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