hilton garden

In this episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, host Richard takes listeners on a detailed tour of his allotment, divided into two sections, 1-28A and 1-28B. He discusses the current state of his crops, including broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbages, and the challenges posed by pests like slugs and pigeons. Richard also shares his experiences with weed management, crop rotation, and his West Kent five pod hydroponic growing system. He emphasizes the importance of regular maintenance and offers practical gardening tips, aiming to inspire listeners to grow their own food despite the inevitable challenges. Allotment Tour And Layout and Initial Challenges Richard's allotment is divided into two sections, 1-28A and 1-28B. He acquired section 1-28A a few years ago, inheriting a well-maintained space with fruit plants. However, he's faced challenges with weed overgrowth and even found hidden kitchen knives, which he reported to the authorities. Tips: Regular weeding is essential. Alwa...

Hi, it's Scott here with this week's recipe. This year, for the first time, I’ve grown shallots in my garden. The main reason I grow my own vegetables is for flavour and freshness. The difference between shop-bought and homegrown produce is obvious, especially with items like tomatoes, peas, and sweetcorn. However, I always thought the difference would be less noticeable with things like shallots. I’m happy to admit I was proven very wrong. After testing one of my homegrown shallots by simply roasting it, the difference was night and day. My homegrown shallots were so much sweeter and had a much deeper flavour. They literally melted on the tongue. I just wish I had grown more, and I definitely will next year. With the small amount I had, I wanted to create a dish where I could truly appreciate them. So, I decided to use them in this week’s recipe: Coq au Vin with white wine instead of red. I believe using white wine instead of red creates a fresher, lighter dish better suited...