What happens when the allotment finally feels ready… and you start wondering what comes next?

In this episode of The VeggiePlot Podcast, I’m reflecting on one of those quieter but important moments in gardening. The weeding is finished, the soil is clear, and the plot suddenly feels full of possibility. But alongside that sense of order come some bigger questions about change, tradition, and the future of growing your own food.

I talk about genetically modified purple tomatoes now being grown in the US and Australia, and explore how they came to be, why they exist, and what they might mean for gardeners here in the UK. It’s a plain-English look at the science behind them, the debate they raise, and why they matter, even if we can’t grow them here just yet.

Back on the allotment, I share the satisfaction of simple jobs done well, from making compost to protecting overwintering onions and garlic. I also talk through a fairly big decision: closing one of my allotments and moving established soft fruit and perennials to another. Blueberries, currants, rhubarb, tayberries and globe artichokes all feature, along with some honest thoughts on timing, care, and helping plants settle in properly.

This episode is about finishing jobs, letting go of what no longer fits, and making thoughtful decisions for the seasons ahead. It’s calm, reflective, and rooted in real allotment life, and I hope it resonates with anyone who enjoys growing their own food and thinking about where their garden, and gardening itself, might be heading next.

In this episode of the Veggieplot podcast, Chris delves into the world of potatoes, exploring their historical significance, the impact of the Irish potato famine, and the importance of variety selection in gardening. He discusses different methods of growing potatoes, how to harvest and store them, and introduces the Valor potato as a blight-resistant option. Additionally, Chris shares insights from a recent book find and a visit to West Dean Gardens, emphasizing the joy of curiosity in gardening.

From storm damage and broken greenhouse glass to harvesting winter potatoes and sowing broad beans on the radiator, this episode is a very real snapshot of a week in the garden.

I talk through what Storm Goretti left behind here in Cornwall, what I’ve been harvesting from the polytunnel and allotment, and why Brussels sprouts taste far better now than they ever used to. I also share a Christmas food discovery that’s quickly become a favourite, update you on the latest version of my VeggiePlot Record Book, and explain why slowing down and planning is the most important thing you can do when starting a new allotment.

I wrap up with a small teaser about a new gardening project that’s been quietly growing behind the scenes.

A reflective, practical episode about finding calm in the chaos and letting the garden set the pace.

Welcome to The VeggiePlot Podcast — tips, tales and inspiration from the garden.

In this very first episode, I introduce the podcast and explain why I wanted to create an audio space dedicated to growing fruit, vegetables, and flowers in a calm, honest, and realistic way. Gardening, for me, is about far more than harvests — it’s about slowing down, learning as you go, and finding satisfaction in the simple act of growing something from seed.

I talk through how the podcast will be structured, including seasonal jobs in the garden and allotment, seeds to sow, crops to harvest, gardening news, shopping for tools and seeds, cooking and preserving, product reviews, and visits to gardening events.

I also explore the mental and physical benefits of gardening, how most of us really learn through experience and shared knowledge, and how to cope when things don’t go to plan — whether that’s failed crops, pests, or losing your gardening mojo.

Whether you grow on an allotment, in a garden, in containers, or you’re just thinking about starting, this episode is a welcoming place to begin.

Next episode: Escaping to the Allotment Over Christmas
Website: https://veggieplot.uk