#617

Welcome back to this week's episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, where we share our journey of growing food here on the South Coast of the UK and inspire you to do the same—whatever your space!



This Week in the Garden



In this episode, I reflect on a much-needed day at the allotment. With ongoing home renovations weighing heavily, I took a full day to reset among the raised beds, buzzing bees (including one surprise wasp’s nest!), and late summer crops. There’s something about the allotment that clears the mind, and I really needed that mental escape this week.



After a good tidy with the strimmer and lawn mower, I experimented with the chop-and-drop method—leaving weeds and trimmings on the soil surface to decompose and feed the beds in place. I also checked on our cabbages where the first earlies were previously growing, and they’re settling in nicely. Our maincrop potatoes are beginning to yellow, a clear sign they're nearly ready for harvest.



And yes, I did get stung (on the ear!)—a not-so-friendly reminder that we share our spaces with nature. Always tread carefully!



Seed of the Month: Pak Choi



August may seem like a quiet time for sowing, but it’s actually perfect for leafy crops—and pak choi is our standout pick. Fast-growing, versatile, and brilliant in everything from stir-fries to Thai green curries, pak choi thrives in the cooler evenings of August without bolting.



Here’s how I sow it:




Start in plug trays with seed compost, 1cm deep.



Germinate in the propagation shed, then plant out in 2–3 weeks.



Space at 20cm apart for full heads or closer for baby leaves.



Consistent watering is essential to avoid bolting.



Mulch well and protect with mesh to fend off flea beetle and butterflies.




Within 6–8 weeks, you’ll be harvesting full heads—or much sooner for baby leaves!



Buy your seeds from our trusted suppliers




Ruby f1 a red leaved pak choi



White stem, one of my most regullery grown pak choi varities



Qing choi an intersting but large variety




Recipe of the Week: Cauliflower Pakoras



Chef Scott is back with a tasty treat—crispy cauliflower pakoras (or use any mix of veg). They’re packed with spice and easy to whip up. You’ll need cauliflower, gram flour, mint, coriander, and a warming blend of cumin, garam masala, Kashmiri chilli powder and more. Simply whisk, mix and fry. Find the full recipe on our website or Chef Scott’s Instagram @seedtotableplot13.



Seeds You Can Still Sow in August



Don’t be fooled—August has plenty of sowing potential. Some crops to get in the ground now include:




Leafy greens: spinach, rocket, mizuna, lettuce, corn salad



Orientals: pak choi, mustard greens



Overwintering onions & spring onions



Turnips, radicchio, chard, kohl rabi



Chillies (for overwintering)



Green manures for soil health




These will give you a harvest later this year or set you up nicely for winter and spring.



Listener Comments



Thank you for all the feedback on Spotify this week! We heard from:




Henry who’s been experimenting with compost and straw mulch.



Becky, new to veg growing, is hoping for a patty pan squash recipe (Scott’s on it!).



Linda, with 25 years of chicken-keeping wisdom, recommends avoiding wooden coops.



And Natalie, who raised a great question about washing recyclables. We’ll dig into that one!