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Episode 652 Easter Gardening, Potato Planting & Tackling the Hunger Gap

This Easter weekend has been a rare treat. Four full days in the garden, decent weather, and plenty of progress across both the allotment and the kitchen garden. In this week’s episode, I share what’s been happening on the plot, the projects completed at home, and my thoughts on the hunger gap as we move deeper into spring. Allotment Update I spent two full days on the allotment and made a real dent in the to‑do list. The first job was cutting the grass. My allotment mower failed last week, so I brought the kitchen‑garden mower down to stand in for now. The old Ryobi will get a closer look soon, but six years of allotment life is not bad going for a budget machine. With the grass sorted, I moved on to potatoes. This week I planted ‘Nicola’, a second early variety I’ve grown many times. That brings me to one and a half beds planted, with the same amount still to go. The compost from the corrugated‑iron bin has mulched the beds beautifully, although that bin is now empty. Next week I’...
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Easter Roast Veg Hash with Herby Eggs

Easter weekend always seems to arrive with that mix of celebration and gentle pottering. There’s usually a roast dinner somewhere in the plans, and with it comes the familiar tray of leftover carrots, parsnips, potatoes and whatever greens were hanging around. This recipe turns those leftovers into something warm and comforting, the sort of dish that fits neatly between sowing sessions or after a morning checking on seedlings. It’s flexible, thrifty, and full of the early spring flavours that gardeners have to hand right now. The long weekend often means more time in the garden, but also more meals to think about. A roast veg hash bridges that gap nicely. It uses what’s already cooked, folds in a handful of fresh herbs from the garden, and becomes a proper meal once the eggs settle into the top. It’s relaxed cooking for a relaxed weekend, and it feels very much in tune with the season. Ingredients Leftover roasted veg: carrots, parsnips, potatoes, leeks, sprouts, cabbage A splash ...
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Episode 651: Pea Planting, Beetroot Basics & A Year on the Waterway – Early Spring in the Garden

This Week in the Kitchen Garden Richard opens this week’s episode by describing that classic early‑spring rush — the moment when the light improves, the soil warms and suddenly everything seems to need doing at once. As he puts it, “everything at the moment seems to be growing at double speed” . He talks about how the overwintered peas under cloches have suddenly surged, even showing their first flowers. With flowers come tendrils, so he’s been adding pea sticks to keep them upright and protected from the wind. Indoors and outdoors, he’s been sowing even more peas to keep the harvests rolling. Back in the potting shed, Richard explains that the seedlings — tomatoes, chilies, aubergines, celery — are growing so fast that some “seem to suddenly outgrow their pots overnight” . Space is tight, so the cold frames are now full, helping to harden off young plants while still shielding them from chilly nights. Seed of the Month: Beetroot Richard’s seed of the month for April is beetroo...
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Recipe of the Week: One‑Pan Spring Greens & New Potato Hash with a Fried Egg

There’s a moment every spring when the kitchen and the garden seem to meet in the middle. The days are still cool enough to want something warm and comforting, but the first fresh greens are ready to pick, and suddenly the plate starts to look a little brighter. This hash is exactly that sort of dish — simple, earthy, and perfect for those days when you’ve been outside sowing peas, shifting compost, or getting the cold frames ready. It’s the kind of meal you can throw together with whatever you’ve got to hand. A few stored potatoes, a handful of overwintered kale or chard, maybe the first tender spinach leaves of the year. And then a fried egg on top, because there’s nothing quite like a runny yolk to bring everything together. Ingredients 400g new potatoes or small stored potatoes, diced A good handful of spring greens, kale, chard or spinach, chopped 1 small onion, finely sliced 1 clove garlic, crushed Olive oil Salt and pepper A pinch of smoked paprika (optional) 1 egg pe...
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Cheesy Leeks: A Simple, Comforting Side Dish from the Allotment

A Harvest‑Led Supper Last night’s dinner was one of those meals that comes together simply because the allotment said so. I pulled a good bunch of leeks while I was down there, all standing strong after the winter, and they ended up on the plate alongside a steak. Nothing fancy — just honest food grown a few metres from the shed and cooked within the hour. Leeks are one of those crops that quietly get on with things. They don’t demand much, they hold well in the ground, and when you finally lift them, they reward you with that soft, sweet flavour that only homegrown leeks seem to have. And when you pair them with cheese, they become something properly comforting. Why Cheesy Leeks Work So Well Cheesy leeks sit in that perfect space between a vegetable side and a proper treat. The leeks bring sweetness, the sauce brings richness, and together they turn even a simple midweek meal into something that feels a bit special. They’re also a brilliant way to use up a handful of leeks when yo...
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Recipe of the Week: Purple Sprouting Broccoli & Lemon Butter Orzo

There’s a moment every March when the garden finally gives you colour again. After months of browns and greys, the purple sprouting broccoli stands there like it’s been painted by hand — deep violet florets, slender stems, and leaves that look almost too beautiful to pick. You run your fingers along the stems, feeling that slight snap that tells you they’re ready. The air still has winter’s chill, but the sun is trying its best, and for the first time in weeks you catch yourself lingering instead of rushing back indoors. You gather a small bundle — not much, but enough — and on the way back you snip a few chives, maybe a sprig of parsley that’s braved the cold. It’s the kind of harvest that doesn’t shout; it just quietly reminds you that spring is on its way. This dish is built around that feeling. Simple, bright, and full of early‑season optimism. Ingredients (Serves 2–3) A generous handful of purple sprouting broccoli 200g orzo 1 small onion or shallot, finely chopped 1 clo...
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Growing Guide: How to Grow Thyme from Seed

Thyme is one of those herbs that quietly earns its place in every kitchen garden. It’s hardy, aromatic, drought‑tolerant and incredibly useful in the kitchen. While many people buy thyme as a small plant, growing it from seed is surprisingly rewarding and gives you plenty of plants for very little cost. Here’s a simple, reliable guide to help you grow thyme successfully from seed. Why Grow Thyme from Seed Thyme is a perennial herb, meaning once you’ve grown it, it will keep coming back year after year. Starting from seed gives you the chance to grow several plants at once, experiment with different varieties and fill pots, borders or herb beds without spending much money. It’s also a great herb for beginners because it doesn’t demand much attention once established. Get your thyme seeds here When to Sow Thyme The best time to sow thyme is from early spring onwards. Indoors, you can start as early as March. If you prefer to sow outside, wait until the weather warms and the risk of ...
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