Episode 672-Rain Returns, Soil Softens & A Fresh Push Toward Winter Crops

After one of the driest Julys I can remember, this week finally brought the kind of rain that transforms a garden overnight. Every one of my sixteen water butts refilled, the soil softened enough to dig again, and the whole plot seemed to sigh with relief. It’s amazing how quickly things bounce back once moisture returns, and it’s given me a renewed push to get winter crops established while conditions are favourable.

Kitchen Garden Update

The kitchen garden has responded brilliantly to the rain. Outdoor tomatoes are ripening beautifully, with a good mix of varieties coming through now that they’ve had a proper drink. The greenhouse, however, has been a challenge — temperatures hitting 32°C have stalled both tomatoes and cucumbers. Ventilation is top of the winter improvement list, and I’m working on a way to keep the greenhouse door propped open without it slamming shut.

Herbs, beans and late brassicas have perked up noticeably. The chickens are laying consistently too — three eggs a day in mixed colours — which always feels like a small daily reward for keeping things ticking over.

Water management has been a big focus. With the butts full again, I’m back to experimenting with irrigation aids. Clay pot reservoirs are proving effective, and the AutoPot spider has been a standout success — the tomato planted over it is outperforming every other plant in the bed. I’ll be investing in more of these. Greywater is still part of the routine, but with the rain arriving I can rely on it a little less.

Allotment Update

The allotment has been transformed by the rain. After weeks of rock‑hard soil, I can finally weed properly, dig out bramble roots and tidy the gooseberry area. Winter brassicas — kale and cabbages — are going in now that the ground is workable again.

One frustration this week was discovering that almost all the pears have vanished from my tree. No windfalls, no half‑eaten fruit, nothing on the ground — which sadly suggests they’ve been taken. It’s disheartening, and I may need to consider some gentle deterrents in future.

Apples are looking promising, and grapes have been a pleasant surprise both at home and when visiting friends. Compost production has slowed due to the lack of lawn clippings, so I’m filling extra bins with woody material and saving what I can for next year’s potato beds.

With more rain forecast, the priority now is catching up on planting and strengthening the plot’s drought resilience for future seasons.

Recipe of the Week: Late‑Summer Herby Potato & Green Bean Bake

This week’s recipe is a comforting late‑summer bake that makes brilliant use of current harvests.

Thinly slice parboiled potatoes and layer them with blanched green beans, onion, garlic, herbs and olive oil. Add cherry tomatoes or cheese if you fancy it. Bake until golden and bubbling. It’s simple, hearty and freezes well — perfect for using up those beans that suddenly arrive all at once.

Lisa & Alistair’s Garden Project

I revisited Lisa and Alistair’s new vegetable garden this week, and they’ve made fantastic progress. They’ve pruned the fruit trees, cleared dead wood, reclaimed planting space and even sourced a greenhouse from Facebook Marketplace.

The next steps are clear and manageable:

  • finish clearing the 8×3 metre vegetable area
  • install hedgehog homes
  • draw up proper plans before any major digging begins

Their grape harvest has been a real highlight, and it’s exciting to see their plot taking shape. They’re building a garden with intention, and it’s going to serve them well.

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 672-Rain Returns, Soil Softens & A Fresh Push Toward Winter Crops appeared first on The Veg Grower Podcast.



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