hilton garden

In the latest episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, host Richard delves into the challenges and strategies of gardening in colder climates, specifically addressing a listener named Joanna from the Highlands of Scotland. Joanna's email raises important questions about the feasibility of sowing seeds during the winter months and how to adapt gardening practices to suit harsher climates. Richard's response is filled with practical advice, personal experiences, and expert insights that can guide gardeners facing similar conditions. Let's break down the key takeaways from this episode. Understanding Your Climate Zone The Importance of Hardiness Zones Richard emphasizes the significance of understanding local climate conditions and gardening zones. Hardiness zones, such as the RHS hardiness zones in the UK, help gardeners determine which plants can thrive in their specific climates. For instance, Richard is in RHS hardiness zone H3, while Joanna is likely in H6, where temperature...

Hello, everyone! Chef Scott here with another recipe to celebrate the season’s harvest. This year, my allotment leeks have done particularly well. Despite a touch of rust, my first sowing was delicious, and my second sowing is nearly ready—just in time for Christmas! If you’re looking for a flavourful side dish, this Gluten-Free Leek, Stilton & Walnut Crumble is a perfect match for Christmas dinner or as a complement to ham. If you’d like to give it a go, you’ll find this recipe and more on The Veg Grower Podcast or on my Instagram, @seedtotableplot13. Ingredients (Serves 4-6) 550g leeks, thickly sliced (about 1.5 inches each) 100ml vegetable stock 220ml double cream 200g stilton cheese, diced 150g gluten-free flour 65g butter, diced 50g grated cheddar cheese 70g chopped walnuts Salt and pepper, to season Method Cook the Leeks Fry the leeks in a large pan until each cut side is golden brown. Add the vegetable stock, bring to a boil, and reduce the liquid by ha...

Hello, food lovers! Chef Scott here, back with this week’s recipe that’s all about satisfying a sweet craving. After a recent trip to my local orchard where I picked up some beautiful pears, I knew exactly what to make—a delightfully simple Pear, Walnut, and Salted Caramel Strudel . Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this dessert is sure to hit the spot. Let’s get into it, and if you fancy trying it yourself, you can find this recipe and more on The Veg Grower Podcast and on my Instagram page, @seedtotableplot13. Ingredients (Serves 4-6) 450g diced ripe eating pears 100g walnuts, roughly chopped 25g sugar ½ tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp cornflour 50g melted butter 100g store-bought salted caramel (or add a pinch of salt to canned caramel) 4 sheets of store-bought filo pastry Method Prepare the Pastry Layers Lay out the filo pastry sheets. Brush the first sheet with melted butter, then layer the next sheet on top. Repeat until all four sheets are stacked, eac...

In the latest episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, host Richard and guest Chef Scott delve into the intricacies of gardening, focusing on compost trials, seasonal planting, and a delectable recipe. This blog post will break down the key themes and tips discussed in the episode, providing you with actionable advice and expert insights to enhance your gardening experience. Richard's Gardening Insights Compost Trial Results Richard conducted a detailed compost trial to compare the performance of different compost types in growing tomatoes. Here’s a breakdown of his findings: Types of Compost Tested Budget Compost : Source : Local range Cost : Approximately £2.50 per bag when bought in bulk Performance : Initially produced larger and stronger tomato plants but suffered from blossom end rot, reducing the number of edible tomatoes. Heart of Eden Compost : Source : Received for free Cost : Available on Amazon for £17 per bag Performance : Yielded around 20 tomatoes with no si...

In this episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, host Richard and chef Scott delve into the world of sustainable gardening and culinary creativity. Richard shares his experiences and tips for effective ways to suppress weeds, while Scott introduces a mouth-watering recipe that encourages listeners to use homegrown produce. Suppressing weeds on the allotment The Use of Old Carpets and Cardboard for Weed Suppression Richard begins by discussing the common practice of using old carpets in gardening, particularly for weed suppression. However, he highlights the potential issues associated with this method: Chemical Concerns : Carpets may contain harmful chemicals that can leach into the soil, affecting plant health. Damage to Equipment : Carpets left in the ground can cause damage to gardening machinery, making them a less desirable option. Instead, Richard advocates for the use of cardboard as a biodegradable alternative. Here’s how you can effectively use cardboard in your garden: Pr...

Hi there, it’s Scott from Veg Grower Podcast! This week, I'm sharing a delicious sweet potato recipe—something I haven’t grown in my garden just yet. However, after seeing so many people have success with it this year, I’m inspired to give it a go next season. And when I do, I’ll definitely be recreating this comforting dish! Introducing Sweet Potato & Spinach Lasagna with a Hint of Chilli —a perfect meal for cosy evenings. Let’s dive into the kitchen and learn how to make it! Ingredients (Serves 6-8): 2kg sweet potatoes, peeled and thickly sliced 500g baby spinach, wilted 1 red chilli, sliced 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground cumin ½ tsp ground nutmeg 600ml tomato sauce (I used the recipe I shared a few weeks back, but shop-bought passata works too) 75g butter 75g plain flour 750ml whole milk 125g grated cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping) 1 ball of mozzarella Approximately 15 lasagna sheets Method: Prepare the Sweet Potato : Place the sliced sweet ...

Hi everyone, Scott here with this week's featured recipe, and it's an exciting one brought to you by Premier Seeds Direct—our Seed of the Month! This month, we’re highlighting Elephant Garlic , a unique and delicious ingredient that's not easy to find in shops. With its mild garlic flavour, elephant garlic is perfect for roasting whole, which we’ll be doing for today's dish. This Week’s Recipe: Roast Elephant Garlic and Potato Soup with Garlic Bruschetta This simple yet hearty recipe really shows off the subtle, sweet taste of roasted elephant garlic. Let’s dive into the kitchen and make this warming dish! Ingredients (Serves 4): 2 heads of elephant garlic 1 large white onion, diced 500g of diced potatoes 1 litre of vegetable stock 1 tablespoon of butter 4 slices of sourdough toast Method: Roast the garlic: Preheat your oven to 200°C. Wrap the heads of elephant garlic in tinfoil and roast for 45 minutes. Roasting enhances its mild, sweet flavour. Prepar...