hilton garden

In this episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, Richard, the host, and Scott, a chef, share their insights and experiences on gardening and cooking with seasonal produce. Richard focuses on the process of planting garlic, particularly elephant garlic, and discusses various seeds that can be sown in October. Scott complements this with a delicious recipe for an autumn vegetable gratin. This blog post will break down each tip in detail, offering actionable advice and thorough explanations to guide you through your gardening journey. Planting Elephant Garlic Understanding Elephant Garlic Elephant garlic is a unique variety that grows similarly to regular garlic but is much larger and milder in flavor. It is more closely related to leeks than to regular garlic, which is interesting given its name and appearance. The bulbs can grow up to 14 cm in diameter, making them a standout addition to any garden. Steps for Planting Elephant Garlic Choosing the Right Location Sunlight : Select a sun...

In this weeks episode of the Veg Grower podcast, host Richard and head community gardener Jason delve into the transformative world of community gardening. This episode is a treasure trove of insights, practical advice, and inspiring stories that highlight the importance of community gardens, especially for those without personal garden space. Let's break down the key themes and actionable tips discussed in the episode to help you understand the profound impact of community gardening and how you can get involved. Rebuilding Connections with Nature Recognizing Natural Food Sources Jason begins by reflecting on how society has lost touch with the natural sources of our food. He points out that many towns have apple trees that often go unnoticed. These trees, which grow without cultivation or chemical treatments, can provide healthier options than store-bought produce. Jason emphasizes the need to rebuild this connection, encouraging people to recognize that these trees are not jus...

Hello everyone, it’s Scott here with this week’s recipe! Today, I’m sharing one of my favourite methods to preserve tomatoes for the winter months – roasting them with onions, celery, garlic, and basil, then adding a simple splash of balsamic vinegar and sugar. This method balances the sweet and acidic flavours, making a sauce that’s perfect for dishes like Bolognese, lasagne, or even as a simple pasta sauce straight from the freezer. So, without further ado, let’s head to the kitchen and dive into this easy and flavour-packed recipe! Ingredients: 2.5kg tomatoes, chopped 500g onions, sliced 100g celery, chopped 5 garlic cloves, peeled 10g fresh basil leaves 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp caster sugar A drizzle of olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Method: Preheat your oven to 180°C. Spread the tomatoes, onions, celery, and garlic evenly in a large roasting tray. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the basil over the vegetables, and then a...

In the latest episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, host Richard delves into a variety of gardening topics, offering practical advice and updates from his home garden. The episode also features a culinary segment with Chef Scott, who shares a recipe for Vada Pav, an Indian street food dish. This blog post will break down the key themes and tips discussed in the episode, providing actionable advice for gardening enthusiasts and home cooks alike. Managing Caterpillars on Brassicas Caterpillars can be a significant pest for brassicas, especially during warmer days in winter. Richard shares several strategies to manage these pests effectively: Regular Inspections and Manual Removal Frequent Checks : Regularly inspect your brassicas for signs of caterpillars or eggs. Early detection is crucial. Manual Removal : Remove any caterpillars or eggs you find by hand. Richard feeds them to his chickens, which enjoy the treat. Encouraging Beneficial Wildlife Birds : Attract birds like thrushe...

In the latest episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, host Richard delves into the world of automated watering systems with Jason, the head of AutoPot. This episode is packed with valuable insights into the AutoPot system, its setup, functionality, and the impressive results it can yield. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, this blog post will break down the key takeaways from the episode, offering actionable advice and expert tips to enhance your gardening experience. If you are interested in buying an Autopot system . For this Richard has negotiated an affiliate code AUTO10RVG to save you some money. Richard's Charity Climb and Gardening Passion Richard kicks off the episode by sharing his recent charity climb of Mount Snowdon, where he and his gardening friends raised over £4,000 to promote gardening in schools. This event underscores Richard's commitment to encouraging others to grow their own food and his passion for gardening. Introduction to the Auto...

Hi, it’s Scott here with this week’s recipe, featuring the Premier Seeds Direct Seed of the Month . This month’s seed is a variety of onion called Alisa Craig , which can be sown in August and overwintered. This year, I grew onions from seed for the first time, and I’ve had great success. In the past, when I grew onions from sets, they often bolted, but none of the onions I grew from seed this year have bolted at all. The idea of growing them from seed and overwintering really appeals to me. After harvesting onions, the first thing that comes to mind is making Onion Bhajis . These crispy, flavourful bites are incredibly easy to make, and when made with fresh homegrown onions, they’re hard to beat! Let’s head to the kitchen and get started. As always, you can find this recipe and others on theveggrowerpodcast.co.uk and follow me on Instagram at Seed to Table Plot 13 . Onion Bhajis (Makes 8-10 bhajis) Ingredients 200g onions, finely sliced 2 green chillies, finely sliced 1 bun...

Hi, it’s Scott here! Over the past six months, I’ve been considering taking on a third allotment plot next to my existing ones, with the goal of turning it into an orchard. According to our allotment rules, we’re allowed six fruit trees per plot, so I’m hoping I can get permission to plant all 18 trees on this new plot. Since all my allotments are side by side and fenced off as one, I’m optimistic that it won’t be an issue. The plan is to create an orchard and wildflower meadow filled with heritage fruit tree varieties. To get inspired, I recently visited a local orchard with over 100 varieties of fruit trees. Naturally, I couldn’t resist picking up some fresh fruit, which leads us to this week’s recipe: Plum and Almond Crumble . This dessert is simple yet packed with flavour. The hardest part? Deciding whether to serve it with cream, custard, or ice cream! My suggestion: make a big batch and enjoy it three times – with all three options! Let’s head to the kitchen and get started. ...

In the latest episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, Richard, the host, delves into the essential tasks for September, focusing on seed sowing and the benefits of growing overwintered onions from seed. Joined by Chef Scott, who shares a delectable plum and almond crumble recipe, the episode is packed with practical advice, culinary inspiration, and tips for indoor gardening. Let's break down the key takeaways and actionable advice from this episode. The Seed of the Month: Alisa Craig Onions This month the seed of the month is an onion variety called Ailsa Craig . This feature is in collaboration with premier seeds direct , an absolutely awesome supply of reasonably priced in seed in large quantities. If you are looking to buy these seeds or any other seeds from premier seed then don't forget our discount code psdvegpod Why Choose Seeds Over Sets? Richard introduces the "seed of the month," the Alisa Craig onion variety, and explains the advantages of growing onions f...