hilton garden

This is one of those dishes that proves leftovers can be better than the main event. Crisp on the outside, soft in the middle, and endlessly adaptable depending on what’s lurking in the fridge. Ingredients (serves 2–3) About 500 g leftover potatoes (roast or boiled) 200–300 g leftover veg (sprouts, cabbage, carrots, parsnips – whatever you’ve got) 1 small onion , finely chopped (optional but recommended) 1 clove garlic , crushed (optional) 1 tbsp butter 1–2 tbsp vegetable oil Salt and black pepper Optional extras: Fresh herbs (parsley, sage, thyme) A pinch of nutmeg or mustard powder Leftover stuffing, finely chopped Method Roughly mash the potatoes in a bowl – don’t overdo it, texture is key. Finely chop the leftover veg and mix it through the potatoes. Season well with salt and black pepper . Heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat . Fry the onion gently for 5 minutes until soft, then add the garlic for 30 seconds. Add the potato a...

Hello and welcome to this week’s episode of the Veg Grower Podcast ! I’m Richard, and my goal is to encourage and inspire you to grow more of your own food, no matter the space you have available. I share what I’ve been up to in my own allotment and kitchen garden here in Littlehampton on the south coast of the UK. After over 30 years of growing my own food, I’m still learning something new every single day. This week, I’ve been down on the allotment, getting stuck into some winter pruning, tending to my tools, and having a wander around the kitchen garden. Here’s what’s been happening. Winter Pruning It’s that time of year to prune trees and bushes. I’ve been focusing on my apple and pear trees, both now fully dormant, making it easier to see the branches and plan the cuts. I start with the three Ds: Dead, Diseased, and Damaged branches. Clean, sharp secateurs are vital here to prevent spreading disease. These pruned branches go straight into the compost—yes, even the diseased on...

This week on  The Veg Grower Podcast , Richard delves into the latest happenings at his allotment and kitchen garden as he navigates the challenges of a busy schedule. With limited time available, he shares exciting updates on the ongoing improvements to the allotment and addresses a listener's question about the troublesome gooseberry sawfly. Allotment Adventures Richard kicks off this episode by recounting his visit to the allotment, where recent council works are paving the way for easier access. Despite the muddy conditions, he manages to tackle some persistent problem areas, particularly around his thorny gooseberry plants. He discusses a recent break-in at a fellow allotment holder's plot, highlighting the unfortunate reality of allotment life. Gooseberry Sawfly Solutions In response to a listener's query, Richard provides valuable insights on managing gooseberry sawfly infestations. He emphasises the importance of encouraging natural predators, such as birds and...