In the latest episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, host Richard delves into a variety of gardening topics, offering practical advice and updates from his home garden. The episode also features a culinary segment with Chef Scott, who shares a recipe for Vada Pav, an Indian street food dish. This blog post will break down the key themes and tips discussed in the episode, providing actionable advice for gardening enthusiasts and home cooks alike.
Managing Caterpillars on Brassicas
Caterpillars can be a significant pest for brassicas, especially during warmer days in winter. Richard shares several strategies to manage these pests effectively:
Regular Inspections and Manual Removal
Frequent Checks: Regularly inspect your brassicas for signs of caterpillars or eggs. Early detection is crucial.
Manual Removal: Remove any caterpillars or eggs you find by hand. Richard feeds them to his chickens, which enjoy the treat.
Encouraging Beneficial Wildlife
Birds: Attract birds like thrushes and small birds to your garden. They are natural predators of caterpillars.
Predatory Wasps: Consider introducing predatory wasps, which can help control caterpillar populations.
Using Netting
Fine Mesh Netting: Use fine mesh netting to cover your brassicas. This prevents cabbage white butterflies from laying eggs on your plants.
Avoiding Bird Entanglement: Be cautious with netting to ensure birds do not get caught.
Planting Sacrificial Plants
Nasturtiums: Plant nasturtiums as a trap crop. They attract caterpillars away from your brassicas and are also edible and visually appealing.
Applying Nematodes
Nematodes: Use nematodes, tiny parasitic worms, to control caterpillar populations. They require reapplication and can be costly but are effective.
Overwintering Lemongrass
Richard also addresses a listener's question about overwintering lemongrass. Here are his tips:
Indoor Relocation: Move lemongrass pots indoors to a sunny spot to protect them from frost.
Mulching: If planted in the ground, apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to insulate the roots.
Watering: Reduce watering during winter to prevent root rot, but ensure the soil remains slightly moist.
Home Garden Updates
Richard shares updates from his home garden, highlighting his proactive approach to garden management:
Winter Crops
Planting: Richard has planted sprouts, kale, and cabbages to sustain him through the winter months.
Garden Bed Preparation: He has removed some fennel and other plants to make room for these winter crops.
Summer Raspberries
Overgrowth Management: Richard plans to thin out his summer raspberry plants to prevent overgrowth and improve grass growth underneath.
Variety Experimentation: He is considering experimenting with different raspberry varieties better suited for home gardening.
Tomatoes
Blight Management: Richard grows a mix of blight-resistant and non-blight-resistant tomato varieties. He emphasizes the importance of preventing the spread of blight between different gardening locations.
Year-Round Gardening
Continuous Gardening: Richard believes in growing food year-round and rejects the notion of packing up for winter. He encourages listeners to adopt this philosophy.
Wildlife Considerations
Balancing Tidiness and Wildlife: While Richard identifies as an edible gardener, he acknowledges the importance of allowing some natural elements to remain in the garden for the benefit of local wildlife.
Culinary Segment: Vada Pav Recipe by Chef Scott
Chef Scott shares a delicious recipe for Vada Pav, a popular Indian street food made with spiced potato patties. Here’s a brief overview of the recipe:
Ingredients
Potatoes
Green chilies
Ginger
Garlic
Mustard seeds
Curry leaves
Turmeric
Salt
Gram flour (besan)
Water
Bread rolls
Instructions
Prepare the Potato Filling: Boil and mash the potatoes.
