Episode 664: Heatwave Gardening – Early Mornings, Water Wisdom & Edible Ponds

Welcome to Episode 664 of the Veg Grower Podcast. This week has been shaped by one thing: heat. With temperatures soaring and humidity making everything feel heavier, Richard has been adapting his gardening routine to keep both the kitchen garden and the allotment thriving during a heatwave. In this episode, he shares how early mornings, deep watering, mulching, and a few clever tools have helped him stay on top of things during a UK heatwave. If you’re growing food in hot weather — or want to be prepared for when the next heatwave arrives — this is an episode worth listening to. In the Kitchen Garden: Heatwave Gardening The kitchen garden has been a challenge and a joy this week. With the house feeling like an oven, Richard has been heading outside at 5:30am to make the most of the cooler hours. These peaceful early mornings have become the perfect time to water, tidy, and enjoy the garden before the heat sets in. In the podcast, Richard talks about: How he’s using deep watering to keep crops alive Why his Ryobi pump has been a huge time‑saver Filling gaps with tomatoes, chillies and peppers Updates from the edible pond and its oxygenating plants Improvements planned for the chicken area What’s been harvested despite the heat If you want to hear how the kitchen garden is coping — and what’s thriving — tune in to the full episode. Down the Allotment It’s been a productive week on the allotment too, especially with a fantastic 6kg harvest of Morello cherries. Richard shares how he processed them and what’s next for the stone fruit trees now that harvesting is complete. In the episode, you’ll hear about: Summer pruning of cherries, peaches and plums How straw mulch has been the hero of the heatwave What’s growing well in straw bale beds Sweetcorn, squash, pumpkins and onions This week’s allotment harvests If you’re looking for practical allotment tips for hot weather, this segment is packed with them. Recipe of the Week Tomato & Herb Summer Salad with Chickpeas This week’s recipe is a refreshing, no‑cook dish perfect for hot weather and ideal for using up homegrown tomatoes and herbs. You’ll find the full recipe in its own blog post. From the Podding Shed In this week’s reflective segment, Richard talks about how gardening is changing as UK summers become hotter. He shares his thoughts on adapting our growing methods, staying safe in extreme heat, and planning for the future. Topics include: Working early or late in the day Staying hydrated and sun‑safe Providing water for wildlife and chickens Increasing rainwater storage Growing more drought‑tolerant edible crops Why mulch continues to be essential It’s a thoughtful discussion about how we can all continue growing food even as the climate shifts.