#565 The Best Seeds to Sow in August for a Thriving Allotment!

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In the latest episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, host Richard and guest chef Scott share their wealth of knowledge on gardening and cooking, focusing on the tasks and opportunities that August brings. This blog post will delve into the main themes of the episode, providing detailed, actionable advice for gardeners looking to make the most of this month. From sowing seeds to managing allotments and preparing delicious recipes, this guide will help you navigate the late summer gardening season with confidence.

Seed of the Month Of August: Easter Egg Radishes and Purple Spring Onions

Each Month we have our seed of the month feature in collaboration with Premier seeds direct. Premier seeds sell pretty much every vegetable seed you could imagine for very reasonable prices and in decent quantities. Links are of course added but we also have the discount code psdvegpod to save you even more money.

Easter Egg Radishes

Richard introduces the Easter Egg radish, a vibrant variety that includes shades of blue, red, and purple. Here’s a step-by-step guide to growing these colourful radishes:

Sowing: Create a shallow drill about half a centimetre deep. Scatter a few seeds in the drill, spacing them out to avoid overcrowding. Succession Planting: Sow a few seeds each week to ensure a continuous harvest. This method prevents all your radishes from maturing at the same time.
Moisture Management: Keep the compost consistently moist to encourage germination and healthy growth. Radishes can bolt if they dry out. Thinning: As the radishes grow, thin them out to allow for proper spacing, aiming for one plant every two centimetres. This ensures each radish has enough room to develop.

Purple Spring Onions

Next, Richard discusses the purple spring onion, a delightful twist on the traditional green variety. Here’s how to grow them:

Sowing: Plant a few seeds at a depth of half a centimetre. Spring onions can be grown year-round, so sow them every couple of weeks to maintain a steady supply. Minimal Care: These onions require minimal care. Keep them weed-free and ensure they have decent compost to thrive.
Harvesting**: Spring onions can be harvested when they reach a desirable size. Regular sowing ensures you always have fresh onions available.

Richard also provides a discount code for Premiere Seeds Direct, encouraging listeners to try these varieties and share their experiences.

Additional Seeds for August

Richard highlights other seeds that can be sown in August, emphasizing the importance of diversifying your garden:

Salad Crops

Lettuce and Salad Leaves: Essential for a healthy diet, these can be sown throughout August. Varieties like rocket and mustard greens add diversity to your meals. Swiss Chard: Known for its vibrant stems and leaves, Swiss chard can be harvested throughout the winter, providing a continuous supply of greens.

Brassicas

Cabbages: Typically sown for spring harvests, but winter-hardy varieties can be planted now. Turnips: Quick to grow and best harvested young for better flavour. Richard has already sown his turnips and recommends them for their ease of growth.
Kohlrabi**: A unique brassica worth growing for its delicious taste and versatility in the kitchen.

Carrots and Chilies

Carrots: Although it may seem late, early varieties and round carrots can still be sown. Richard plans to salvage a crop despite earlier challenges. Chilies: August is not too late to start chilies for next year’s harvest. Richard shares his method of overwintering chili plants to ensure an early crop in the following season.

Green Manures

Chicory and Radicchio**: These hardy plants improve soil health and reduce weeds. They can withstand cold temperatures and provide a unique flavour profile.

Allotment Update

Richard shares updates from his allotment, discussing the state of his plants and the tasks he needs to complete:

Watering and Composting

Regular Watering: Emphasizes the importance of regular watering, especially in the greenhouse where plants can quickly become stressed in hot weather. Composting: Plans to add plenty of compost to his first bed after harvesting his main crop potatoes. This enriches the soil for future plantings, particularly for his Nebraska variety crops.

Crop Updates

Peppers, Chilies, and Cucumbers: These are producing well, although they were thirsty after a week without attention. Parsnips, Cabbages, and Broccoli: All growing well, though some plants, like cauliflowers, may have gone too far. Richard views this as part of the learning process.

Challenges

Neglected Neighbouring Plot**: Richard expresses frustration over his neighbour's neglected allotment, which has overgrown weeds encroaching on his space. He hopes the council will take action soon.

Recipe Segment: Beetroot, Green Bean, and Horseradish Salad with Hot Smoked Mackerel

Chef Scott shares a fresh and vibrant recipe perfect for a late summer evening. Its a Beetroot, green bean and horseradish salad with hot smoked Mackerel which sounds so delicious

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Richard encourages listeners to embrace the growing season, experiment with new seeds, and enjoy the bounties of their gardens. With practical tips, inspiring stories, and delicious recipes, this episode of the Veg Grower Podcast is a treasure trove for anyone looking to enhance their gardening journey. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, these insights will help you make the most of August in your garden.