The Veg Grower Podcast cover art

The Veg Grower Podcast

The Veg Grower Podcast

By: Richard
Listen for free

If you are interested in growing your own food , then this is the podcast for you. Each week Join Richard Suggett as he shares his experience of growing food in his allotment and back garden.Copyright © Podcasting 2026 Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Episode 665: Fruit Thinning, Thorny Gooseberries & Summer Slaw Magic

    Episode 665: Fruit Thinning, Thorny Gooseberries & Summer Slaw Magic
    Jul 6 2026
    Welcome to Episode 665 of the Veg Grower Podcast. This week Richard shares a classic mix of summer gardening jobs — fruit thinning, sweetcorn planting, slug control, greenhouse tidying — plus our Seed of the Month, a refreshing cabbage slaw recipe, and a look at July’s Book of the Month. It’s been warm and humid on the allotment, but thanks to straw mulch and careful watering, everything is thriving. Let’s dive into what’s been happening this week. Down the Allotment The allotment has been busy with seasonal tasks, starting with fruit thinning after the June drop. Richard explains why apples and pears shed fruit naturally, and why thinning further helps produce bigger, tastier fruit and prevents biennial bearing. It’s a job that feels counter‑intuitive, but the long-term benefits are worth it. Gooseberries are ready, but harvesting them has become nearly impossible due to thorns and invading brambles. Richard shares his difficult decision to dig up the existing bushes and replant with thornless varieties to make the area more productive and easier to maintain. Elsewhere on the plot: Straw mulch continues to reduce watering needs Leeks are being held back until cooler, wetter weather The final batch of sweetcorn has been planted New potatoes, courgettes, rhubarb and cabbage are being harvested A surprise rat encounter added a bit of drama to the week Tune in to hear the full story and Richard’s thoughts on keeping the allotment productive. Seed of the Month — Kohlrabi This month’s seed is kohlrabi, a quirky root crop that looks alien but tastes fantastic — sweeter than turnips and incredibly versatile. Richard shares: How he sows it directly into the soil Why consistent moisture is essential How to thin seedlings to 20–25cm spacing Why harvesting at golf‑ball size gives the best flavour How flea beetle and slugs can be managed Ways to use kohlrabi in the kitchen, including roasting, stir‑fries and slaws And a reminder that the leaves are edible too It’s a great crop for summer sowing and offers two harvests from one plant. In the Kitchen Garden The kitchen garden has been all about organisation this week. Richard tidied the area in front of the greenhouse, sorted pots, removed weeds, and potted up cabbage, swede and late brassicas. The chickens’ area also had a tidy, making the whole garden feel calmer and more productive. Slug & Snail Battles Slugs and snails have been relentless this year, especially around the bean plants. Richard shares several methods he’s using: Yeast traps made from wine sediment Watering in the morning Upturned pots to collect slugs overnight Feeding trapped slugs to chickens and birds It’s a constant challenge, but numbers are slowly coming down. General Garden Notes Tomatoes are loving the warm weather Herbs are thriving but dry Mulch continues to help retain moisture Courgettes and other crops are producing well Marigolds are being deadheaded daily to keep flowers coming The kitchen garden is productive, colourful and full of life. Recipe of the Week Summer Cabbage & Peanut Slaw with Lime & Chili Dressing This week’s recipe turns a humble summer cabbage into something exciting. Richard grates cabbage, carrot and red onion, adds fresh herbs and chili, and finishes with a zingy lime dressing and roasted peanuts. It’s crunchy, refreshing, and perfect for warm weather. You can find the full recipe on the blog. Book of the Month — The Victorian Kitchen Garden by Jennifer Davies Richard reviews this classic book, which accompanies the BBC series of the same name. He explores: Victorian walled gardens Skilled head gardeners Coal‑heated greenhouses Hotbeds made from fresh manure Fruit‑tree training Soil care and mulching Season extension techniques The craftsmanship and attention to detail of Victorian growers
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Episode 666: Grapevine Pruning, Potato Problems & A New Vegetable Garden BeginsEpisode 666-

    Episode 666: Grapevine Pruning, Potato Problems & A New Vegetable Garden BeginsEpisode 666-
    Jul 13 2026
    Welcome to Episode 666 of the Veg Grower Podcast. This week Richard has been juggling warm, humid weather, kitchen‑garden pruning, allotment challenges, and an exciting new project helping a young couple start their very first vegetable garden. It’s a classic midsummer mix of maintenance, problem‑solving and inspiration. Here’s what’s been happening. In the Kitchen Garden The week began with early‑morning gardening sessions — the only time cool enough to work comfortably. Richard has been potting on cucumbers, cabbages, cauliflowers and kale, watering in the mornings to reduce slug activity, and making steady progress despite the heat. Grapevine Pruning A major job this week was pruning and training the productive grapevine. Richard explains how careful thinning improves fruit size and airflow, and shares his experiment with a Bramley apple grown from seed and trained as a step‑over tree. It’s decorative, compact, and a fun long‑term project. Water Conservation A new rainwater collection system has been attached to the greenhouse, along with an additional water butt. With rainfall scarce, every drop counts. Down the Allotment Warm, humid weather has made allotment visits tricky, but straw mulch continues to keep beds moist and plants healthy. Richard has been heading down early at weekends to stay on top of jobs. Potato Problems A late frost in early May killed the foliage of the first‑early potatoes, and the harvest has been disappointing — only enough for a couple of meals from a whole bed. Richard reflects on how weather extremes affect yields and why growing your own food matters more than ever. Mixed Harvests Despite the potato setback, other crops have been more encouraging: Broad beans Courgettes Overwintered onions (small but usable) Rhubarb Tomatoes from the greenhouse Broad bean plants have been cut back, with roots left in the soil to return nitrogen. Straw Mulch: Still the Hero Straw mulch has once again proved invaluable, keeping potatoes and other crops less stressed and prompting Richard to buy another bale to replace what’s been used. Recipe of the Week Warm Summer Cabbage & Herb Pan‑Fry This week’s recipe is a simple, delicious cabbage dish perfect as a barbecue side. Finely shredded cabbage is sautéed with onions, garlic, wholegrain mustard, butter and fresh herbs. Quick cooking keeps it sweet, and it’s a great way to use summer cabbage A New Vegetable Garden Project One of the most exciting parts of this week’s episode is the start of a brand‑new edible garden for Lisa and Alistair, who have just moved into a house with a large front garden. Richard visited to help them plan their first vegetable patch, offering guidance on: Clearing and reorganising an overgrown compost area Removing unwanted trees Preparing a 10×20 metre vegetable area Planning for a greenhouse Installing sunk IBC water tanks Building raised beds (possibly from reclaimed sleepers) Garden designers John and Bryony will help shape the layout, and Richard will be checking in monthly to track progress. Listeners can follow the project on Instagram at Rooted at Belvedere.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Episode 664: Heatwave Gardening – Early Mornings, Water Wisdom & Edible Ponds

    Episode 664: Heatwave Gardening – Early Mornings, Water Wisdom & Edible Ponds
    Jun 29 2026
    Welcome to Episode 664 of the Veg Grower Podcast. This week has been shaped by one thing: heat. With temperatures soaring and humidity making everything feel heavier, Richard has been adapting his gardening routine to keep both the kitchen garden and the allotment thriving during a heatwave. In this episode, he shares how early mornings, deep watering, mulching, and a few clever tools have helped him stay on top of things during a UK heatwave. If you’re growing food in hot weather — or want to be prepared for when the next heatwave arrives — this is an episode worth listening to. In the Kitchen Garden: Heatwave Gardening The kitchen garden has been a challenge and a joy this week. With the house feeling like an oven, Richard has been heading outside at 5:30am to make the most of the cooler hours. These peaceful early mornings have become the perfect time to water, tidy, and enjoy the garden before the heat sets in. In the podcast, Richard talks about: How he’s using deep watering to keep crops alive Why his Ryobi pump has been a huge time‑saver Filling gaps with tomatoes, chillies and peppers Updates from the edible pond and its oxygenating plants Improvements planned for the chicken area What’s been harvested despite the heat If you want to hear how the kitchen garden is coping — and what’s thriving — tune in to the full episode. Down the Allotment It’s been a productive week on the allotment too, especially with a fantastic 6kg harvest of Morello cherries. Richard shares how he processed them and what’s next for the stone fruit trees now that harvesting is complete. In the episode, you’ll hear about: Summer pruning of cherries, peaches and plums How straw mulch has been the hero of the heatwave What’s growing well in straw bale beds Sweetcorn, squash, pumpkins and onions This week’s allotment harvests If you’re looking for practical allotment tips for hot weather, this segment is packed with them. Recipe of the Week Tomato & Herb Summer Salad with Chickpeas This week’s recipe is a refreshing, no‑cook dish perfect for hot weather and ideal for using up homegrown tomatoes and herbs. You’ll find the full recipe in its own blog post. From the Podding Shed In this week’s reflective segment, Richard talks about how gardening is changing as UK summers become hotter. He shares his thoughts on adapting our growing methods, staying safe in extreme heat, and planning for the future. Topics include: Working early or late in the day Staying hydrated and sun‑safe Providing water for wildlife and chickens Increasing rainwater storage Growing more drought‑tolerant edible crops Why mulch continues to be essential It’s a thoughtful discussion about how we can all continue growing food even as the climate shifts.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.