Episode 640: Stormy Weather, Rhubarb Jobs & Learning to Prune Together
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This week’s episode was recorded in challenging conditions, with stormy weather sweeping across the UK. I genuinely hope you’ve come through it without any damage. While the weather has made gardening more difficult, it certainly hasn’t stopped things ticking along – both at home in the kitchen garden and down on the allotment.
From tackling a self-seeded elm tree to dividing rhubarb crowns and taking part in a community orchard pruning day, there’s been plenty going on.
Kitchen Garden Update: Tackling an Elm Tree & Dividing Rhubarb
The main job in the kitchen garden this week was finally dealing with an elm tree that should really have been removed years ago. What started as a small seedling had grown into a 4.5 m tall tree with branches up to 40 cm thick, causing damage to paths and fencing.
With strong winds making ladder work unsafe, we made the decision to take things slowly, using a pole saw to remove branches bit by bit. Some were far heavier than expected, and when the saw finally gave up mid-cut, the weather decided to finish the job for us. Thankfully, nothing was damaged and no one was hurt – but it was a reminder of how unpredictable tree work can be.
With the tree job paused until new tools arrive, attention turned to the rhubarb.
Every five years or so, rhubarb really benefits from being lifted and divided. Doing this prevents congestion and keeps plants productive. Two mature plants were split into ten separate crowns, all potted up for now and destined for the allotment. The original bed has been repurposed as a cold frame area, making better use of the space for propagation.
Supporters Club Update
If you’re enjoying the podcast, a quick rate and review really does make a huge difference and helps more people discover the show.
The Veg Grower Podcast Supporters Club is still going strong. For £5 a month, members receive:
- Extra behind-the-scenes podcast episodes
- A monthly seed pack, chosen to be sown that specific week
- A mini newspaper packed with sowing guidance and space for notes
Recent seeds include chives (seed of the month) and cardoons, an architectural but edible crop related to globe artichokes.
Allotment Update: Winter Jobs & Forcing Rhubarb
Down on the allotment, the weather was even worse – strong winds and heavy rain meant recordings were done from inside the greenhouse.
Winter is always a quieter time, but it’s ideal for structural and maintenance jobs, tidying problem areas and keeping everything in good order until spring arrives.
The newly divided rhubarb crowns were brought down and kept in large pots for now while decisions are made about where they’ll eventually be planted.
One task I always enjoy at this time of year is forcing rhubarb. By covering a crown with a dustbin or compost bin, light is excluded, encouraging early growth that’s paler, sweeter and more tender. Just remember – once forced, that crown shouldn’t be harvested again for the rest of the season.
I also talked about how surprisingly easy rhubarb is to grow from seed. With large, quick-germinating seeds and the right varieties, it’s even possible to harvest within a year – though I prefer to wait until the second.
Recipe of the Week: Baked Eggs with Leeks & Herbs
This week’s recipe is already live on the website and it’s a simple but brilliant one.
Baked eggs with leeks and herbs makes the most of seasonal leeks and fresh eggs:
Community Orchard Pruning Day: Learning Together
One of the highlights of the week was taking part in a community orchard pruning session here in Littlehampton.
After a short health and safety briefing, we were given a practical introduction to pruning apple and pear trees – invaluable for those lacking confidence. I teamed up with Sarah, who had never pruned before, and together we tackled a heavily neglected tree that hadn’t been touched in over a decade.
We worked methodically:
- Removing the 3 D’s: dead, diseased and damaged branches
- Cutting out crossing branches
- Improving airflow by opening up the centre
- Removing water shoots
After two hours, the transformation was remarkable. More than anything, the day highlighted just how valuable community gardens and orchards can be – not just for food, but for education, confidence-building and connection.
If pruning feels intimidating, I can’t recommend these kinds of community sessions enough.
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