Episode 652 Easter Gardening, Potato Planting & Tackling the Hunger Gap

In this episode of The Veg Grower Podcast, host Richard shares a vibrant update from his kitchen garden and allotment in Little Hampton, UK, during the Easter weekend. He details two full days of gardening, including mowing the allotment with a backup lawnmower, planting second early potatoes (Nicola), and preparing beds with compost and mulch. He reflects on the 'hunger gap'—the transitional period between winter stores fading and new spring crops emerging—offering practical solutions like sowing radishes and spring onions weekly, growing microgreens, and maintaining overwintered crops. Richard also shares his DIY electrical setup in the potting shed using a solar-compatible power pack, tidying up plastic pots in a repurposed dustbin, and relocating a cold frame to streamline his seedling hardening-off process. The episode concludes with a recipe for an Easter roast vegetable hash using homegrown ingredients and a giveaway for tickets to Gardener's World Spring Fair, encouraging listeners to engage with the community through reviews and membership. Key takeaways include: 1) Use microgreens and fast-growing crops like radishes to bridge the hunger gap; 2) Sow key crops (leeks, carrots, salad greens) in waves throughout the season for continuous harvest; 3) Repurpose household items (e.g., dustbins for pot storage) to maintain garden organization; 4) Invest in sustainable power solutions (like solar battery packs) for garden sheds; 5) Prepare beds early with compost and mulch to reduce future watering needs; 6) Use cold frames and greenhouses strategically to extend growing seasons; 7) Embrace the rhythm of the year, including the hunger gap, as part of sustainable gardening; 8) Engage with the podcast community through reviews, memberships, and competitions.