Episode 645: Early Signs of Spring, Allotment Prep & Why Grow Lights Matter More Than Ever

This week’s episode of The Veg Grower Podcast was packed with those subtle but exciting signs that the growing season is waking up. After a rare dry spell on the south coast, I finally managed a full day in the kitchen garden — and it felt good to get stuck in.

Kitchen Garden: Early Growth & Essential Tidying

With the soil warming, weeds have started to appear, which is always a positive indicator that spring is on the way. Even more surprising was spotting the first early shoots of asparagus pushing through — far earlier than expected, but very welcome.

I mulched the asparagus bed with rich worm compost from the wormery, although I did discover a small mouse living beneath the bin. Thankfully, not a rat — and a reminder to keep an eye on things, especially with chickens nearby.

I also planted out some strong young leeks that were originally destined for a cancelled project. These were sown in May and have grown beautifully in pots, so they’re now filling an otherwise empty bed. I’ve also started another batch of leek seeds using my usual polystyrene‑box method.

Seedlings & Temperature Monitoring

Seedlings are everywhere at the moment — chillies, peppers, onions sown on Boxing Day — and they’re finally putting on growth after a slow start. My Bluetooth thermometer in the potting shed continues to be invaluable for tracking temperatures and deciding when to sow.

Allotment: Winter Jobs & Greenhouse Prep

Despite the rain, I pushed on with allotment jobs. February is always a strange month — half winter, half spring — but I managed to clear prunings, weed, and top up beds with compost.

When the rain set in, I moved into the greenhouse for a full clean and sterilise. Broken panes were swept up, frames washed, and everything disinfected with a natural biodegradable cleaner. It’s now ready for the season ahead.

The second greenhouse, “The Sergeant,” still needs glazing, but I’m leaning toward covering it with polytunnel plastic — a practical and affordable solution that should get it functional quickly.

In the Kitchen: Crispy Veg Pancakes

With Shrove Tuesday and Chinese New Year coinciding, I cooked up crispy vegetable pancakes filled with homegrown leeks, cabbage, carrot and onion, finished with a sweet chilli and soy dressing. A delicious way to use winter veg.

Grow Lights: Why They’re Becoming Essential

This week I also talked about grow lights — something I once thought unnecessary but now consider vital for year‑round growing, especially with limited winter daylight.

My older IKEA lights are fading after a decade of use, and last year’s cheap Amazon set hasn’t impressed. But this week I received a sample from a new company, Oasis Grow Lights, and the build quality and brightness immediately stood out.

One key feature I love: adjustable chains. My own experiment this year showed that seedlings grown with lights 10cm above them were stockier and stronger than those grown with lights 60cm away. Light distance matters — a lot.

I’ll be trialling these new lights properly over the coming weeks, but first impressions are excellent.

If you would like to support this podcast then please consider becoming a member of our supporters club or use some of affiliate links below for items you might be buying. We might get a little commission

  • Premier seeds direct for all your seed needs
  • Autopot uk a revolutionary watering system for growing the best veg easily. User discount code auto10rvg for 10%off

The post Episode 645: Early Signs of Spring, Allotment Prep & Why Grow Lights Matter More Than Ever appeared first on The Veg Grower Podcast.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Courgette & Feta Dip with Mint & Chilli

Hi, it’s Scott here with this week’s recipe – and as we settle into the heart of summer, I’ve got a light, refreshing dip that’s perfect for warm days, BBQ spreads, or simply dipping flatbreads in the garden: Courgette & Feta Dip with Mint & Chilli . This is a really simple one, with just a few ingredients, but don’t let that fool you – it’s full of flavour. The key is in how you cook the courgettes. They need to be either roasted hard and fast or slowly and gently, to help drive off excess water and concentrate their flavour. I go for a hot roast in this version, and it works a treat. So, let’s head to the kitchen and see how it’s made. As always, you can find this recipe and others on my Instagram page @seedtotableplot13 . Ingredients 3 medium courgettes (approx. 500g), halved lengthways 3 cloves garlic, sliced 100g feta cheese 1 red chilli, finely diced 5g fresh mint, chopped Juice of 1 lemon Olive oil Salt Method Salt the courgettes: Place the courgette ...
Read more

Winter Purslane and Potato Salad with Mustard Dressing

As we move deeper into November, the garden might be slowing down, but there are still plenty of fresh flavours to be found — especially from our Seed of the Month: Winter Purslane . This simple yet hearty salad makes the most of those mild, succulent leaves paired with warm potatoes and a tangy mustard dressing. It’s the perfect side dish for roast dinners, or even on its own as a light lunch. Ingredients 500g new potatoes (or any waxy potato), scrubbed and halved if large 2 generous handfuls of fresh Winter Purslane leaves, washed and dried 1 small red onion, finely sliced 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard 1 tbsp white wine vinegar or cider vinegar 1 tsp honey (optional) Salt and freshly ground black pepper Optional: a few chopped chives or parsley for garnish Method Cook the potatoes Place the potatoes in a pan of salted water, bring to the boil, and simmer for around 10–12 minutes until tender. Drain and allow to cool slightly — you want them warm, no...
Read more

#596 How Can Small Daily Gardening Tasks Transform Your Allotment?

In the latest episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, Richard, the primary speaker, shares a wealth of updates and insights from his gardening activities, both at his allotment and at home. This episode is particularly poignant as it is set against the backdrop of Richard's recent job change, which has significantly impacted his schedule for visiting the allotment. Despite these changes, Richard emphasizes the value of dedicating a little time each day to gardening tasks, such as weeding and watering. He highlights how even small, consistent efforts can lead to significant progress in maintaining a healthy garden. The "Little and Often" Gardening Method One of the key themes Richard discusses is the effectiveness of the "little and often" gardening method. This approach involves spending short bursts of time on gardening tasks each day, which can be incredibly effective in maintaining control over an allotment without becoming overwhelmed. Benefits of the "Li...
Read more