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Showing posts from February, 2025

#594 Its Springing Into Life On The Allotment.

Join Richard and Scott in this weeks podcast where this week Richard has noticed that there are signs that the allotment is springing into life. Back at home Richard is building on his grow light system in order to be able to grow more seedlings and he also shares a few insights from the garden press event. Scott is also back with his recipe of the week. Springing Into Life On The Allotment Down on the allotment Richard has seen some signs that spring is just around the corner. Nettles and comfrey are just starting to show, Rhubarb has begun breaking through and even the over wintered garlic and onions are showing signs of life. This is all good signs that spring is just round the corner but bringing with it is of course weed growth too. Time to start weeding more. Grow Lights The Secret To Good Seedlings This week at home Richard has been potting on lots of young seedlings and what he has noticed is that the seedlings under grow lights show better growth both in foliage and in ro...

Lots of News to share

Well its Friday morning and I have lots of news to share with you this morning. All of which of course helps the podcast and bringing content to you. Tuesday I was at the garden press event and as always we had a great time and spoke to lots of brands. Find out more in todays podcast. The post Lots of News to share appeared first on The Veg Grower Podcast .

Crispy Purple Sprouting Broccoli Tempura with a Simple Dipping Sauce

Hi, it’s Scott here with this week’s seasonal recipe , and as we head into purple sprouting broccoli season , I thought I’d share a simple yet delicious way to enjoy those first tender pickings. Whenever I harvest the first batch of any fruit or vegetable , I like to keep things straightforward , allowing the fresh flavour to shine through. Only after a few harvests do I start experimenting with more complex dishes. This week, I’m sharing how I love to cook my first pickings of purple sprouting broccoli—tempura style . Light, crispy, and paired with a simple dipping sauce , this Japanese-inspired dish is the perfect way to appreciate the natural sweetness and crunch of freshly harvested purple sprouting broccoli . So, let’s head to the kitchen and get cooking! Find More Recipes As always, you can find this recipe and many more over at theveggrowerpodcast.co.uk and on my Instagram: Seed to Table Plot 13 . Ingredients For the Tempura 200g purple sprouting broccoli , larger...

#593 Seed Starting success

The post #593 Seed Starting success appeared first on The Veg Grower Podcast .

Weekly Harvest Report: Weeks 3, 4, 5, and 6 of 2025

Some of you may have noticed that I haven't posted a harvest report for the past few weeks. If you've been following the podcast, you'll know that I've been battling a nasty cold while also prioritising job searching after becoming unemployed. However, we're back with an update on what we've harvested over the last few weeks and the value of this homegrown produce. This Month’s Harvest Eggs – 48 That’s a lot of eggs, isn’t it? Our four chickens are real powerhouses in the garden, and their eggs are an absolute delight. It’s surprising how quickly we go through them! At an economy supermarket, these eggs would have cost us £11.16, whereas a high-end supermarket would have charged £17.00. Turmeric – 150g Turmeric is one of the edible indoor plants we grow, and its fragrant tubers offer fantastic health benefits while providing a delicious seasoning for many dishes. The cost of this at an economy supermarket would be £1.50, while a premium store would charge £...

#592 Organising, Saving & Growing – This Week on the Plot

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Join Richard on his allotment and kitchen garden as he continues his mission to grow as much of his own food as possible. This week, he’s been busy organising his shed , finding ways to save money on the allotment , and building a pallet wood seed tray —a fantastic upcycling project. Plus, Chef Scott is back with another delicious recipe , perfect for using this month’s seed of the month: leeks! Organising the Shed: Kitchen Garden Update With a little extra time on his hands, Richard has been giving his shed a much-needed makeover , turning it into a more efficient and organised workspace . Here’s how he’s improved his shed setup: Storage Solutions – Using IKEA recycling bins to store bulk materials like compost, keeping everything neat and accessible. Repurposing Containers – Old juice bottles are now handy storage for liquid plant feeds, while a craft box keeps seeds neatly organised. Clear Labelling – Using a Nimbot label maker to ensure everything is easy to find w...

Chicken, Leek & Bacon Savoury Crumble – A Winter Warmer

Hi, Scott here with this week’s recipe! As you’ll know from last week’s podcast, our seed of the month is leeks —one of my favourite crops to grow. They’re a real winter staple, perfect for adding a mild, onion-like flavour to hearty dishes. This week, I’ve got the perfect winter warmer for you: Chicken, Leek & Bacon Savoury Crumble . Think of it as a twist on a classic chicken and leek pie , but instead of pastry, we’re topping it with a cheesy, savoury crumble for extra texture and flavour. I like to use chicken thighs for their richer taste, but if you prefer breast meat, that works just as well. So, let’s head to the kitchen and get cooking! This recipe serves 4 to 6 people , and as always, you can find more recipes at theveggrowerpodcast.co.uk and on my Instagram, Seed to Table Plot 13 . Ingredients For the filling: 900g skinless, boneless chicken thighs 400g leeks , sliced 300g bacon lardons 500ml full-fat milk 200ml water 50g cheddar cheese , grated 50g bu...

591 Small Changes, Big Impact: Potato Prep, Leeks & A Mini Greenhouse Build

As we edge closer to spring, there’s nothing like a bit of time on the allotment to lift the spirits. This week on The Veg Grower Podcast , I share how preparing the potato beds for planting has helped me shake off the winter blues and get excited for the growing season ahead. We also have our seed of the month. This month its the winter hardy favourite leeks. Getting Ready for Potatoes : Allotment update With just a few weeks until planting time, I’ve been busy prepping my potato beds. There’s something therapeutic about working the soil, clearing any weeds, and ensuring the ground is in the best condition for a good crop. It’s amazing how focusing on simple tasks like this can boost your mood and set you up for a productive season ahead. Seed of the Month: Leeks In our seed of the month segment, we’re talking about leeks—an incredibly versatile and hardy crop that no veg grower should be without. I’ll be sharing why I love growing leeks, how to get them started, and some tips to ...

Spaghetti with Broccoli, Hot Smoked Salmon, Chilli, Lemon & Rocket

Hi, Scott here with this week’s recipe! This time, we’ve got a super simple pasta dish that comes together in the time it takes to cook the spaghetti. Spaghetti with Broccoli, Hot Smoked Salmon, Chilli, Lemon & Rocket is packed with fresh flavours and a hint of heat. The key to this dish is making the most of your broccoli—using both the florets and the stalk. If you only have broccoli stalks, don’t worry! Just trim off the tough outer layer and chop the tender core into smaller pieces so it cooks at the same time as the florets. So, let’s head to the kitchen and get started! As always, you can find this recipe and more on theveggrowerpodcast.co.uk and over on my Instagram, Seed to Table Plot 13 . Serves 4 Ingredients 280g spaghetti 100g diced white onion 3 cloves garlic, chopped 250g broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 red chilli, sliced Juice and zest of 1 lemon 1 handful of fresh basil 1 handful of rocket 180g hot smoked salmon, flaked 100ml white wine 200m...