The Veg Grower Podcast

Richard
  • 4.8 (9)
  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 673: The New Growing Season Starts Now

    There’s a definite change happening in the garden now. Summer might still be hanging on, but I’m already looking ahead to autumn, winter and, believe it or not, the growing season of 2027. The recent rain has been very welcome after such a dry year and it has made a big difference to the garden. There’s plenty going on as we start preparing for the months ahead, so let’s get into this week’s episode. Allotment The rain has finally arrived, and after such a dry year I certainly wasn’t complaining. The moisture has made the soil much easier to work and, more importantly, it has made pulling those pesky weeds out considerably easier. I’ve been getting stuck into the autumn and winter growing season, planting out winter and spring cabbages, kale and cauliflowers. Some of the kale planted earlier struggled during the dry weather, but the new plants are now going into the ground with much better conditions. I’m also preparing beds for my overwintering crops. The garlic will be going in towards the end of September, with the overwintering onion sets following in October, so now is the time to get those beds ready with compost and make sure they are weed-free and in good condition. Green manures are also playing a big part. I’ve been sowing winter tares between my rows of leeks and using green manures in other beds where there is still space. It’s a technique I’ve been experimenting with, effectively getting two jobs done in the same space while the soil is still warm enough for those green manures to establish. Supporters Club This week I also take a look at what’s been happening in the Veg Grower Podcast Supporters Club. September’s seed pack is now being sent out, with a selection of seeds chosen specifically for sowing during the month. This includes winter tares, cauliflower, mibuna, tatsoi and spring onion ‘White Lisbon’, along with our herb seed of the month, chervil. The Supporters Club costs just £5 a month and includes extra podcasts, the monthly seed pack and our monthly newspaper, which contains growing instructions, jobs to do and space to keep track of what you’re growing. Potting Shed – Seed of the Month This month’s seed of the month is spring onion ‘White Lisbon’ from Premier Seeds Direct. Spring onions might traditionally make us think of spring and summer, but ‘White Lisbon’ is a great variety for growing through the cooler months. I like to sow them every few weeks from September through to March, giving us a succession of spring onions to harvest. They can be sown directly into the ground, or started off in trays and planted out later. They don’t need a huge amount of attention, but keeping them moist and weed-free will help them along. Once established, they can be harvested from around six to eight weeks, although I prefer to let mine get to a decent pencil thickness before pulling them up. Kitchen Garden There’s still plenty happening in the kitchen garden despite the change in season. The recent moisture has brought some of the carrots that were sown earlier in the year back to life, with seeds that had been sitting in the dry soil finally germinating. Hopefully that means we’ll get a late crop of carrots from those beds. I’ve also been continuing with my polyculture approach, filling spaces as they become available with winter and spring brassicas. Cauliflowers, kale and cabbages are all being planted out, while some plants have been thinned out and potted on to give them a little more time to grow before going into their final positions. I’ve also been adding more herbs around the garden. Cuttings of rosemary and sage have been rooted and potted on, while thyme and other herbs are being planted around the edges of the beds. The idea is that these plants will eventually help create a useful border, provide some shelter and act as companion plants. And we’re still harvesting plenty of summer produce, including tomatoes, aubergines, peppers,

  2. Aug 24

    Episode 672-Rain Returns, Soil Softens & A Fresh Push Toward Winter Crops

    After one of the driest Julys I can remember, this week finally brought the kind of rain that transforms a garden overnight. Every one of my sixteen water butts refilled, the soil softened enough to dig again, and the whole plot seemed to sigh with relief. It’s amazing how quickly things bounce back once moisture returns, and it’s given me a renewed push to get winter crops established while conditions are favourable. Kitchen Garden Update The kitchen garden has responded brilliantly to the rain. Outdoor tomatoes are ripening beautifully, with a good mix of varieties coming through now that they’ve had a proper drink. The greenhouse, however, has been a challenge — temperatures hitting 32°C have stalled both tomatoes and cucumbers. Ventilation is top of the winter improvement list, and I’m working on a way to keep the greenhouse door propped open without it slamming shut. Herbs, beans and late brassicas have perked up noticeably. The chickens are laying consistently too — three eggs a day in mixed colours — which always feels like a small daily reward for keeping things ticking over. Water management has been a big focus. With the butts full again, I’m back to experimenting with irrigation aids. Clay pot reservoirs are proving effective, and the AutoPot spider has been a standout success — the tomato planted over it is outperforming every other plant in the bed. I’ll be investing in more of these. Greywater is still part of the routine, but with the rain arriving I can rely on it a little less. Allotment Update The allotment has been transformed by the rain. After weeks of rock‑hard soil, I can finally weed properly, dig out bramble roots and tidy the gooseberry area. Winter brassicas — kale and cabbages — are going in now that the ground is workable again. One frustration this week was discovering that almost all the pears have vanished from my tree. No windfalls, no half‑eaten fruit, nothing on the ground — which sadly suggests they’ve been taken. It’s disheartening, and I may need to consider some gentle deterrents in future. Apples are looking promising, and grapes have been a pleasant surprise both at home and when visiting friends. Compost production has slowed due to the lack of lawn clippings, so I’m filling extra bins with woody material and saving what I can for next year’s potato beds. With more rain forecast, the priority now is catching up on planting and strengthening the plot’s drought resilience for future seasons. Recipe of the Week: Late‑Summer Herby Potato & Green Bean Bake This week’s recipe is a comforting late‑summer bake that makes brilliant use of current harvests. Thinly slice parboiled potatoes and layer them with blanched green beans, onion, garlic, herbs and olive oil. Add cherry tomatoes or cheese if you fancy it. Bake until golden and bubbling. It’s simple, hearty and freezes well — perfect for using up those beans that suddenly arrive all at once. Lisa & Alistair’s Garden Project I revisited Lisa and Alistair’s new vegetable garden this week, and they’ve made fantastic progress. They’ve pruned the fruit trees, cleared dead wood, reclaimed planting space and even sourced a greenhouse from Facebook Marketplace. The next steps are clear and manageable: finish clearing the 8×3 metre vegetable area install hedgehog homes draw up proper plans before any major digging begins Their grape harvest has been a real highlight, and it’s exciting to see their plot taking shape. They’re building a garden with intention, and it’s going to serve them well.

  3. Aug 17

    Episode 671- A Tough Week on the Plot – Pests, Harvests and Potatoes

    Welcome to this week’s episode of the Veg Grower Podcast. This week we’re taking a look at what’s happening both down on the allotment and in the kitchen garden, with plenty of harvesting, a few pest problems and some thoughts on storing our home-grown potatoes. Allotment We start the episode down on the allotment on a beautifully cool morning after another spell of very warm weather. There’s plenty to talk about, including some damage to one of my sweetcorn cobs. Something has managed to pull the cob down and has been helping itself to the corn, so I’m trying to work out what might have caused the damage and what I can do to protect the remaining crop. I’m also finding cabbage white butterfly eggs on my brassicas again. After dealing with a previous wave of caterpillars, it looks like we have another lot of eggs to contend with. Luckily, I spotted them early and have been removing them before they have a chance to hatch. Despite the problems, there are some good harvests coming from the allotment, with courgettes and runner beans doing particularly well. Kitchen Garden Back in the kitchen garden, the tomatoes are continuing to produce, although the heat is having an effect. The tomatoes in the greenhouse at home aren't producing particularly well, while the greenhouse tomatoes down on the allotment and the outdoor plants are doing much better. I’m also noticing tougher skins on some of the tomatoes, which I suspect is down to the lack of moisture. I’m keeping a close eye on the apples and pears too, with the pears looking very close to being ready and the apples not far behind. I’ve also been making use of our local community orchard and picking some apples, which is a great way of making the most of what is available locally. Recipe of the Week This week’s recipe of the week takes our home-grown produce and turns it into another tasty meal. [Recipe details to be added from the remainder of the transcript.] From the Podding Shed And finally, we head into the Podding Shed, where this week we’re talking about potatoes. I’ve been harvesting more of my potatoes and looking at how we can store some of that home-grown harvest so we can keep enjoying our potatoes rather than having to use them all at once. It’s all about making that harvest go a little bit further and getting the most from the food we’ve grown ourselves.

  4. Aug 10

    Episode 670- Battling Hydrophobic Soil, Greywater Experiments & Preparing for Autumn Crops

    This week’s episode comes from the second week of August, following one of the driest Julys on record. The allotment and kitchen garden are both feeling the strain, with soil baked so hard that water beads on the surface and runs off rather than soaking in. Despite the challenges, progress continues — from experimenting with greywater filtration to planning green manures and keeping established crops alive through the drought. Allotment Update: Hydrophobic Soil & Survival Mode The main theme this week is hydrophobic soil — ground so dry and compacted that it actively repels water. Beds have become rock‑hard, making digging, planting and watering difficult. Watering still has to be done by hand with cans, taking up to two hours to give each bed a proper deep soak. It’s heavy work, but essential for keeping established crops alive. With conditions too harsh for planting out young plants, the focus has shifted to: Keeping mature crops alive with deep, infrequent watering Delaying new plantings until the soil can absorb moisture again Planning ahead by clearing beds for a potato‑specific green manure Tidying perennial areas like the gooseberry patch and bramble‑filled corners Preparing for wetter weather so the site is easier to manage when conditions improve Green manures have been a success in previous seasons, helping reduce pests and disease, and with blight not yet appearing this year, it’s a good moment to prepare beds for next year’s potato rotation. Kitchen Garden: Greywater Trials & Practical Housekeeping At home, the drought has prompted a deeper look at greywater reuse. After a failed experiment using water mint as a natural filter, a more structured filtration system has been tested: A bucket drilled with holes Layers of gravel, sand, charcoal and straw Some success in removing contaminants Some soap residues still present It’s an ongoing experiment, but a promising step toward making greywater safer for garden use during droughts. Other practical jobs this week include: A garage clear‑out, removing broken petrol tools and freeing up space A renewed focus on repairable, durable or compostable items to reduce waste Sowing overwintering onions and radish for supporters, though germination is uncertain in the dry soil Using mulches and compost to help established plants cope with the heat Recipe of the Week: Smoked Sweetcorn & Courgette Salad This week’s recipe is a vibrant summer dish that makes the most of seasonal produce: Smoked sweetcorn and courgette salad with chilli butter croutons Charred sweetcorn and courgette Lime‑honey‑mustard dressing Crisp chilli‑spiced breadcrumbs It’s colourful, flavourful and pairs beautifully with grilled chicken — a perfect late‑summer plate. Hydrophobic Soil: Causes, Fixes & Long‑Term Prevention The episode closes with a detailed look at hydrophobic soil — what causes it, how to fix it, and how to prevent it in future droughts. Why Soil Becomes Hydrophobic Organic particles dry out and harden Soil structure collapses Water beads and runs off instead of soaking in Beds flood when rain finally arrives because water cannot penetrate Short‑Term Fixes Repeated light watering with a fine rose Laying damp hessian or cardboard to soften the surface Bottom‑watering containers to wick moisture up Gentle, patient rewetting rather than one heavy soak Long‑Term Prevention Regular additions of organic matter Consistent mulching with straw, leaf mould or woodchips Avoiding complete drying by giving a light weekly watering during drought Using soil conditioners like coir or biochar Adding shade or wind protection for exposed raised beds Slow, deliberate watering or drip irrigation to allow moisture to penetrate These techniques help rebuild soil structure, improve moisture retention and make gardens more resilient as droughts become more freq...

  5. Aug 3

    Episode 669: August Spinach, Drought-Smart Gardening and a Gourmet Harvest

    August has arrived, and this week’s episode moves between the kitchen garden, allotment and podding shed. I choose spinach Medania as the seed of the month, share progress during a stubborn dry spell, turn ripe tomatoes into a quick pasta supper and revisit a gardening book that puts flavour first. August Seed of the Month: Spinach Medania Spinach Medania is a strong choice for an August sowing. Sow seeds one to two centimetres deep and keep them moist; germination normally takes seven to fourteen days. Module-grown seedlings can be planted out at twenty to twenty-five centimetres apart. Pick young outer leaves regularly, or allow plants to mature for generous autumn harvests. Protect later crops with fleece or a cloche in colder weather. Its dark-green leaves work equally well in salads and cooked dishes. Kitchen Garden and Allotment Notes With nesting season over, I carefully checked and trimmed the congested blackberry and tayberry growth. I am also experimenting with aquatic plants and grey water during the drought, while treating this as a cautious trial rather than a ready-made irrigation solution. The Vegepod continues to supply plenty of salad, while the allotment has produced an enormous courgette, more space around the gooseberries and room for another planting of leeks. Regular hand-picking seems to have reduced the caterpillar pressure on the brassicas. Roasted Tomato and Basil Pasta This weeks recipe of the week is roasted tomato and basil pasta. A delicous and easy dish to cook up using some of those lovely homegrown tomatoes that are in abbundance right now. Reading for Growers Bob Flowerdew’s The Gourmet Gardener argues for choosing crops and varieties for exceptional taste, freshness and enjoyment. Its detailed organic-growing guidance and preserving ideas make it a useful reference for confident growers, even if beginners may prefer to browse one crop at a time. In August, the podcast reading choice moves to Ade Sellars’ The Plot on the Hill: The Carrot Catastrophe, a magical allotment adventure for younger readers.

  6. Jul 27

    Episode 668: Allotment Adventures: Drought, Pot Sorting & Bee Updates

    This week’s episode is all about focus, tidying, and keeping the garden productive during a long dry spell. Richard starts at the allotment, where he’s been tackling untidy borders, harvesting potatoes and filling gaps with new plantings. Back home, a big organisational job has transformed the plant‑pot collection into a neat, usable system. We also have a seasonal recipe, a timely listener email about grey water, and a quick update on the bees. Allotment Update: Borders, Potatoes and Continuous Planting Richard starts the week by assessing the allotment and creating a list of areas to concentrate on. The borders and edges, often the first places to become untidy, are prioritised for improvement. This structured approach helps break the plot into manageable zones. Potato harvesting continues, adding to the week’s produce. Newly cleared spaces are immediately replanted: Kale planted into gaps left by harvested crops Cabbages planned for planting soon This ensures that the allotment remains productive even during drought conditions. Kitchen Garden: Organising the Plant Pots A single large job was chosen for the kitchen garden this week: sorting the extensive collection of plant pots. Over time, pots had accumulated from various projects and purchases, creating a substantial backlog. The sorting process included: Organising pots by size Disposing of damaged or unusable pots Cleaning and storing good pots neatly Setting aside reusable extras for future use The result is a more organised and efficient workspace. Recipe of the Week: Tomato and Courgette Gratin This week’s recipe features a simple yet delicious tomato and courgette gratin that perfectly captures the essence of summer. Bursting with fresh, seasonal ingredients, this dish is a wonderful way to make the most of your garden’s bounty. Whether you’re looking for a comforting side or a light main, this gratin offers a satisfying blend of flavors and textures. For the full recipe and step-by-step instructions, follow the link below to discover how to create this golden, bubbling delight in your own kitchen. It’s an ideal way to use up those abundant summer courgettes and enjoy a taste of the season.. In the Podding Shed: Grey Water and Bee Update A listener email from Lynn raises the topic of using grey water in the garden, a relevant issue as parts of the UK face hosepipe bans and prolonged dry weather. Topics discussed include: When grey water is safe to use Suitable plants for grey water Avoiding harmful detergents Reducing pressure on stored water during droughts Lynn also requests a bee update, and Richard shares the latest news on the colony.

  7. Jul 20

    Episode 667- Mid‑July in the Garden: Caterpillars, Leeks and Soft Fruit

    This week on the Veg Grower Podcast, Richard tackles caterpillars on the brassicas, gets his leeks planted at last, enjoys a strong run of summer harvests, completes a few kitchen‑garden jobs, shares a simple stir‑fried bean recipe, and looks at the best ways to store soft fruit. Allotment Update The allotment kept Richard busy with pests this week. While tending the broccoli, he spotted cabbage white caterpillars chewing through the leaves. Instead of using pesticides, he checked each leaf, picked off the caterpillars by hand, destroyed the eggs and took the caterpillars home for the chickens. Netting helps keep butterflies out, but it also makes day‑to‑day care awkward, so Richard plans to attract more birds to the plot with feeders and bird houses. The leeks — sown back in January — finally went into the ground after the garlic came out. Each leek dropped into a dibbed hole and received a good soak. Daily watering will help them settle in. Harvests this week included courgettes, tomatoes, blackberries, currants, rhubarb, cabbage and second early potatoes, which performed much better than the first earlies. The soil remains very dry and the allotment badly needs rain. Kitchen Garden Update A few small jobs kept the kitchen garden productive. Richard trimmed thyme, rosemary and sage to encourage fresh growth and better flavour. Soft prunings went straight into the kitchen, and healthy stems went into water to root into new plants. He also extended the chicken area with poultry netting, giving the hens more space to forage while keeping them safe from foxes and Roxy the dog. The hot bin ran smoothly this week. Richard removed finished compost from the bottom and added fresh material to the top. The mix of greens and browns keeps the bin hot and active, producing crumbly compost much faster than a traditional heap. Recipe of the Week: Stir‑Fried Summer Beans This week’s recipe is a quick stir‑fried bean dish made with runner beans, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, honey and sesame oil. The beans cook until bright and tender, then get coated in the fragrant sauce and finished with sesame seeds. It’s simple, fresh and perfect alongside grilled meats, noodles or rice. From the Potting Shed Soft fruit spoils quickly, so Richard explored the best ways to store it. Freezing works well when fruit is frozen individually on trays before bagging. Raspberry jam is the easiest preserve to make, and jellies offer a smooth alternative. Bottling gives long‑lasting results without using freezer space. Fruit wines — raspberry, blackberry, gooseberry, rhubarb and elderflower — offer another way to preserve flavour. Dehydrating creates fruit leathers and chewy snacks that store well. Storing soft fruit properly reduces waste and keeps summer flavours available all year.

  8. Jul 13

    Episode 666: Grapevine Pruning, Potato Problems & A New Vegetable Garden Begins

    Welcome to Episode 666 of the Veg Grower Podcast. This week Richard has been juggling warm, humid weather, kitchen‑garden pruning, allotment challenges, and an exciting new project helping a young couple start their very first vegetable garden. It’s a classic midsummer mix of maintenance, problem‑solving and inspiration. Here’s what’s been happening. In the Kitchen Garden The week began with early‑morning gardening sessions — the only time cool enough to work comfortably. Richard has been potting on cucumbers, cabbages, cauliflowers and kale, watering in the mornings to reduce slug activity, and making steady progress despite the heat. Grapevine Pruning A major job this week was pruning and training the productive grapevine. Richard explains how careful thinning improves fruit size and airflow, and shares his experiment with a Bramley apple grown from seed and trained as a step‑over tree. It’s decorative, compact, and a fun long‑term project. Water Conservation A new rainwater collection system has been attached to the greenhouse, along with an additional water butt. With rainfall scarce, every drop counts. Down the Allotment Warm, humid weather has made allotment visits tricky, but straw mulch continues to keep beds moist and plants healthy. Richard has been heading down early at weekends to stay on top of jobs. Potato Problems A late frost in early May killed the foliage of the first‑early potatoes, and the harvest has been disappointing — only enough for a couple of meals from a whole bed. Richard reflects on how weather extremes affect yields and why growing your own food matters more than ever. Mixed Harvests Despite the potato setback, other crops have been more encouraging: Broad beans Courgettes Overwintered onions (small but usable) Rhubarb Tomatoes from the greenhouse Broad bean plants have been cut back, with roots left in the soil to return nitrogen. Straw Mulch: Still the Hero Straw mulch has once again proved invaluable, keeping potatoes and other crops less stressed and prompting Richard to buy another bale to replace what’s been used. Recipe of the Week Warm Summer Cabbage & Herb Pan‑Fry This week’s recipe is a simple, delicious cabbage dish perfect as a barbecue side. Finely shredded cabbage is sautéed with onions, garlic, wholegrain mustard, butter and fresh herbs. Quick cooking keeps it sweet, and it’s a great way to use summer cabbage A New Vegetable Garden Project One of the most exciting parts of this week’s episode is the start of a brand‑new edible garden for Lisa and Alistair, who have just moved into a house with a large front garden. Richard visited to help them plan their first vegetable patch, offering guidance on: Clearing and reorganising an overgrown compost area Removing unwanted trees Preparing a 10×20 metre vegetable area Planning for a greenhouse Installing sunk IBC water tanks Building raised beds (possibly from reclaimed sleepers) Garden designers John and Bryony will help shape the layout, and Richard will be checking in monthly to track progress. Listeners can follow the project on Instagram at Rooted at Belvedere.

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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Richard
  • Years Active
    2013 - 2026
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © Podcasting 2026
  • Show Website
    The Veg Grower Podcast