Early Harvest Garden Tour - How I did it…

It's only early summer and already there is an abundance of tasty pickings in Ben's garden. Follow Ben as he leads us around his garden showing us everything he has growing and sharing his knowledge. He'll even show us the bits we don't usually get to see, including his food forest, his ornamental border and his wildlife areas.
Get a notepad ready! Here come some handy hints for reaping earlier harvests to help feed your family.
For our video on Top Tips for Tomatoes see: • Top Tips for Trouble-F...
and for our video on the installation of the forest garden see: • Dream Backyard Garden ...
And here's that tasty zucchini/courgette and parmesan recipe for you to try! Do let us know if you try it. Yum!
1 Sweat down one large, chopped onion and a couple of garlic cloves in a tablespoon of oil until softened (about five minutes).
2 Add 25oz/700g diced zucchinis/courgettes (two to three medium fruits) to the pot, together with 1.25 pints/700ml of vegetable stock. Simmer for 20 minutes.
3 Blend the soup till smooth before adding 3-4oz/100g grated parmesan. Whizz again to combine then serve with a warm, crusty bread.
💛 💚If you love growing your own food, why not take a look at our online Garden Planner which is available from several major websites and seed suppliers:
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gardenplanner.almanac.com
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and many more...
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If you've noticed any pests or beneficial insects in your garden lately please report them to us at BigBugHunt.com

[@GrowVeg]

Here's that tasty zucchini/courgette and parmesan recipe for you to try! Do let us know if you try it. Yum! 1 Sweat down one large, chopped onion and a couple of garlic cloves in a tablespoon of oil until softened (about five minutes). 2 Add 25oz/700g diced zucchinis/courgettes (two to three medium fruits) to the pot, together with 1.25 pints/700ml of vegetable stock. Simmer for 20 minutes. 3 Blend the soup till smooth before adding 3-4oz/100g grated parmesan. Whizz again to combine then serve with a warm, crusty bread.

[@Jack11Mcfarlane]

sounds great! I tried the BBC good foods recipe with potatoes, spring onions, and cheddar. It was fantastic and everything i used was from the garden so even better! I'd recommend adding a clove of garlic aswell for an extra level of flavour :) great video, cheers for sharing!

[@johnkearns4790]

This recipe I'll be definitely try can almost taste it thank you so much for sharing.

[@cliffnordquist3153]

'n'nnm ^6)7777778u7 8 7:53 😮^l😅}

[@lornabaker4039]

Sounds amazing! We’ll definitely be trying this next summer! My family’s favorite way to have the zucchini is this: Brown 1 lb of lean ground beef with some diced onions and crushed garlic. Add 32 oz. (More or less depending on how many were feeding) of tomato pasta sauce. Add Italian seasoning & salt and pepper to taste. Then throw in a a bunch of course chopped zucchini and simmer until almost tender (it will keep softening even off the heat, so don’t cook it too long- you don’t want mush!) Serve with grated Parmesan and some garlic breadsticks. Always a hit around here, even with the littlest people. :)

[@brooklyn3534]

This sounds so wonderful!!! Can't wait to try it very soon

[@MM36577]

According to Australian Lettuce prices right now, I estimate you have $50,000 worth of lettuces in your beds!!!

[@thirstymercfan]

Very true! He is sitting on a gold mine 😂 they are like $18 in Melbs. I have a garden too, enjoying my lettuce and actually sowed more last week 😊

[@davidthescottishvegan]

How much is $50,000 in pounds?

[@melusine826]

​@@davidthescottishvegan roughly £25, 000 ( rate is 1.8 ish)

[@melusine826]

yup, as an Aussie in uk with a fledgling garden I was flexing on my friend at home in Canberra on with all my lettuce😂💪🦾. only $16 for an iceberg lettuce in Canberra at least!

[@rachelmiller764]

For lettuce!!!

[@hc3021]

Hi Ben, greetings from Toronto! I thought I’d managed to watch all of your videos by now but this one just popped up a year after it was made. I really love the full garden tour format. You’re honestly my favourite gardening youtuber; concise and to the point and such a great teacher. Your passion and enthusiasm are infectious, and I have learned so much from you. Thank you, and give Rosie a hug from me. ☺️

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you so much for your very kind words. I'm so pleased you enjoy the videos. Rosie says 'woof!' (hello) back. :-)

[@k.p.1139]

Ben, your pleasantness is so refreshing. You have shown us that we can make a mountain out of a mole-hill. That has always been a bad thing, but not in gardening. We have gotten so used to seeing these gardening folks, with their tillers and tractors, and one can become quickly discouraged by the amount they "get to do". Their massive harvests; and then seeing how much canning they "get to do". But the truth is, even a little is beneficial and probably a while lot more enjoyable. As always, thanks Ben!

[@GrowVeg]

Absolutely - you can create beautiful sights and grow beautiful things in the smallest of spaces! Thanks so much for watching. :-)

[@k.p.1139]

@Black Bamboo it's a blessing for sure.

[@georgelikesrock]

My day always gets better when one of my favourite KZbin gardeners puts out a garden tour

[@elizabethm7127]

I always love your videos. Question about companion planting. I’ve been doing it for years but rarely let my herbs go to flower. Do they need to flower to be effective in repelling or attracting….?

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks guys. :-) In answer to your question Elizabeth, I think lots of the benefits from herbs as companion plants comes from their strong smell (confuses/repels pests). However, by letting them flower you are also attracting pest-eating insects such as hoverflies and lacewings, which will then predate on pests. So it doubles their effectiveness.

[@donaldauguston9740]

Ben, your videos have become a weekly tonic. Thank you so much for posting them for us to watch. DA

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching Donald - have a great week. :-)

[@lindachambers9752]

Just havested the first new potatoes, and they were gorgeous. My grandchildren and all the neighbours kids sitting in the sunshine eating them with butter. It was a picture 🌞 Thanks for all your advice

[@lindachambers9752]

I think they were called Arran, but not 100% sure. This was my first year growing anything, and it's only now I realize how important it is to take note of the variety. I think it was beginners luck this time. 🙂

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased Linda. This is the sort of thing that makes growing your own so worthwhile.

[@johnbaxter189]

Melt in Ur mouth new spuds, absolutely delicious. The rewards are worth the efforts.

[@godschildyes]

Wow! That's wonderful! I'm sure those children will always remember that beautiful day eating your garden fresh potatoes with butter! That's a wonderful childhood memory!Thanks for sharing! 😃

[@bonniecarlstrom6014]

Thank you for not forgetting our little critters that are helping us doing what they do best..👍👍🇺🇸

[@GrowVeg]

So important to look out for those guys too! :-)

[@dianeladico1769]

I'm a fairly new subscriber and every video of yours is better than the last. You seem like such a lovely person. Your family, friends, and subscribers are lucky to have you. Thank you so much for sharing all you do. Your good advice and attitude towards supporting Nature has helped countless people, I'm certain. I know you've helped me and I've been gardening longer than you've been alive. I follow a lot of people and watch a lot of videos but I save yours for last. You're my KZbin dessert.

[@GrowVeg]

Oh wow Diane - that's so kind of your to say, you'll make me blush! I'm so pleased you're gardening and loving it. As a gardener - myself very much included - you never stop learning. That's half the joy of it.

[@jovsitalo]

Your enthusiasm when you pick your vegetables is so inspiring😊 I love your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Jo - and I will do. :-)

[@mikaellindqvist5599]

Remember to use the leaves of the beets the its basically chards with a root crop.

[@Sky-Child]

Deeeeelicious in stir fries or salads

[@sandradahl9486]

This is Ben's best video yet. Thank you ever so much for your efforts, and demonstrating your enthusiasm, positivity, and knowledge. Now, if only I could even fractionally emulate his garden!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Sandra, it's appreciated.

[@gertwolmarans6974]

You truly have a beautiful garden. I learned a lot from you and it is always exciting finding a notification from you. Thank you very much. You convinced me regarding the flowers in the garden. It is mid winter in South Africa now, but we have lovely weather. Between 02C and 17C. No frost yet. Taking the wife abd kids to the most beautiful nursery today. Enjoy your Sunday. God bless you and your followers.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much for following Gert. So pleased you're managing to include more flowers in your garden. :-)

[@angelakenyon7490]

Thank you Ben for your garden tour....I really enjoyed seeing all the vegetables and fruits....it shows how you have put your heart and soul into your beautiful space......ideal for your daughter to experience too.....XX

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Angela, that's kind of you to say. Always trying to persuade my daughter to try different veggies from the garden - with mixed success!

[@angelakenyon7490]

@@GrowVeg keep at it with your daughter..... 😉✨☓

[@valoriegriego5212]

Howdy Ben! It certainly was a lovely walk around y'all's garden! My goodness! It is beautiful and bursting with food! Six pounds of gooseberries!😃 All the different areas of your garden are looking great!👍 Really beautiful produce! 😃 Thank you for sharing your garden and your knowledge!😀 Miss Rosie is looking cute and y'all's little lady is adorable. I remember sitting on the back porch shelling peas for my mom.🙂 Looking forward to the strawberry tutorial. I need the knowledge!🙂

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Valorie - glad you were able to join me on the tour. :-)

[@littlesuzie6672]

Your garden is simply stunning!! Well done 👏👏👏

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you. :-)

[@Nero_Karel]

Really beautiful garden - I love how much space you dedicate to helping out wild critters especially!

[@GrowVeg]

It's not wasted space either - they help out in the garden, so it's a win-win really. :-)

[@lesliekendall5668]

I cooked zucchini in my spaghetti sauce one time and it was to die for. Also my favorite steamed medley is: in a saucepan, put a splash of water and a few T of butter, add zuchini and onions, sprinkle with garlic salt, then top off the pan with swiss chard. Cover and simmer for 20-30 min till the zuch and onions are tender. And I've been cooking long enough that I can tell what something will probably taste like so even though parmesan is out of my budget range, the soup sounds to die for!! With a side of garlic bread? Oh, yeah.

[@GrowVeg]

That sounds like an awesome recipe there Leslie. If you can't afford the parmesan, try pecorino (which is in fact what I used) or grana pardano. Any hard cheese with that good, natural unami taste would work a treat.

[@pattielliott1378]

I think I found my favorite garden master to watch. Great information. And your gardens are so pleasing to the eye. The variety of vegetables you have there is impressive.

[@Sky-Child]

Recovering from knee surgery this year so haven't managed to grow as much as I hoped, but STILL have a millions courgettes! I like making ratatouille with them, or a courgette, tomato and pepper soup. Love the garden tour Ben 😍

[@GrowVeg]

Glad you're tucking into plenty of courgettes - totally delicious! I hope your knee is recovering nicely. :-)

[@bfinney479]

It is such a joy for me to watch you in your videos. I always learn something useful. You project emotional sunshine that radiates upon all who watch! Thank you !

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much for watching. :-)

[@chasingcircular9898]

Absolutely wonderful to follow you around your little paradise, I'm always inspired by your videos and I especially like the ecosystem perspective that you manage to weave in when you plan the garden. I envy the peaceful life you seem to get to enjoy and I wish I had a garden myself!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for your kind words. I hope you get to tend a garden one day.

[@TLD48]

There are many gardening channels on KZbin, but yours is my favorite! I literally watch (or rewatch) at least one video a day! Thanks for making the world a better place!

[@GrowVeg]

Oh wow, that's so kind of you to say! Thank you for your support. :-)

[@geesgardeningclubuk5247]

Great time of year to reap the harvest there’s nothing better. Nice one Ben

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

Howdy and Happy Fourth of July, Ben. Nobody appreciates the value of soil like a farmer. You gotta have dirt to make things grow. Dirt is essential to our survival. Plus - we all gotta be frugal, strong and self sufficient. in these extraordinary times. Got my taters in the bucket, stockpiled from last year. My favorite method of maintaining a sustainable pantry and stockpiling items long term for the whole family and the family dog and the family cat is what I consider to be the most practical, utilizing every type of food storage methods and technology available, both old and new. . Except for the fruits and vegetables that get canned, I keep perishable items like meat, poultry, fish, fruit, vegetables and dairy products in the refrigerator on a short term basis until I'm ready to use them for a big family meal - and for even longer term sustainable storage, a large separate freezer, which can store a half side of beef with plenty of room left over for homemade ice cream etc. . I'm considering upgrading to a walk-in freezer at some point.in the near future, if my plans to open a bed and breakfast come to fruition. Sometimes, however a nice round of cheese can do well for quite awhile on a pantry shelf at room temperature - and doesn't mind even if it has to stand there alone.😁 Store bought canned goods get shelves.in the large pantry closet - several for canned meat like corned beef hash, spam and sandwich spread and another for canned vegetables Bread, rolls, grains, homemade pasta, cereals and the like are stored in special humidity controlled bins I order from Amazon Prime - which usually get delivered to my doorstep about an hour after I order them. . Stuff from the family garden and orchard, like onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, cauliflower, cucumber, pumpkins, carrots, corn celery,, potatoes and yams, cherries, blueberries and strawberries get canned in Mason Jars and stored in the cool, root cellar of this wonderful rambling former farmhouse (circa 1867) I share with my extended blended family and several rambunctious dogs raised on table scraps from the some of the finest food from a plethora of sources both commercial and home based. . There's even a special separate "summer kitchen" which I converted to store butter and ice cream churns, pots, pans, utensils, extra storage containers, foil, bags, cutlery, and other meal related accoutrement. Out back in the woods, just beyond the big pile of wood I maintain all year, (for use in an antique woodstove I keep on hand, in case the power goes out) there's even an old rusting vintage still where my great grandfather made some of the finest corn whiskey for miles. Next to it is the rusting hulk of the Ford Model A he used to transport that powerful hootch by the light of the moon on soft summer nights to his eager customers in a tri-county area. Further into this verdant forest of mostly sycamore, oak, pine and scrub, runs a cool stream into which I occasionally cast a rod or net to catch some Brook Trout, Bluntnose Shiners, or whatever takes the bait (just earthworms for the most part). And yes, hunting season means wild turkey, deer, and even an occasional wild boar. Next week, I'm planning on filing for a permit to 3-D print a smokehouse in order to be able to create gourmet artisan handcrafted, beef, bacon, turkey, and beef stick jerky, which interested local merchants can private label for other people to share with their families and their family dogs. Unfortunately, i had to break the bad news to my free range hens today that due to expected egg shortages regretfully numbered are their days of laying a couple of eggs and then basically taking the rest of the day off with ranging privileges' within the parameters of a few very nice rural acres - parts of which are rich with fat grubworms. There's even a short dirt road between the main barn and the farmhouse which they're free to cross to get to the other side as often as they'd like. My rooster Ben overheard me and he ain't too happy either, knowing full well that due to oncoming egg shortages, he'll be "workin' overtime to make sure there's plenty of eggs for me an the family

[@GrowVeg]

Wow Richard - it sounds like you have quite a cornucopia of amazing things there - wonderful! It's great to be able to enjoy home grown or home-raised food - simply the best! :-)

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

@@GrowVeg That's right. And don't forget dirt is our most important resource.

[@lgrillo]

This channel keeps getting better and better. Love it, Ben!

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers Lynn, that means a lot. :-)

[@gracehc9356]

Hi Ben, this video was the best. Loved seeing you walk through your garden and share what's going on. It was so relaxing and delightful. Thank you for all your wonderful and informative videos!

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you so much Grace. I love doing these tours as it's a chance to show off a bit! But I'm very humbled by how lucky I am to harvest so many delicious things - the pure joy of growing your own. :-)

[@melissapollard5447]

Great informative video. You can harvest potatoes without pulling the plants right out. Gently feel around the base of the plants, removing just a tuber or two from each - just what you need for your dinner. Then the plants can keep growing and will give you more tubers. I’m Australia, we call this ‘bandicootjng’. Happy growing. 😊🙏🏻

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds like a very sensible approach Melissa. :-)

[@Dawn_Grows_Veg]

So lovely to see the whole garden Ben, thank you for sharing 😊

[@user-xg6zp4dr5x]

I like eating sweetcorn raw as picked, no need to cook all the time, also I warm with butter too.

[@elisabethrochon8308]

I also have two beautiful daughters who I try to get to help me garden. I say the exact same thing: “It’ll be a fun project-I hope.”

[@GrowVeg]

Got to fill them with optimism and hope! One of the girls in the video I borrowed to help me - my daughter's friend. I think they got into it eventually, but it took a lot of persuasion!

[@tomm3688]

Hello once again! I always learn something from watching your videos and I really enjoy very much when you tour your garden area. You have so much to say and are a wealth of knowledge, even when you’re just casually talking about what you have done in your various garden areas. I love to see how you companion plant, your successions, and how you harmonize all of these things with various wildlife and insects. My garden is rather modest compared to yours and I really am just a fledgling gardener. You truly are an inspiration and I so appreciate your sense of humor and enthusiasm as well as “quiet spots“ contained in your garden where one may just sit in repose and enjoy God’s gloriousness as he provides such abundant fruits of our labor’s! Thank you! With much appreciation from a fellow gardener, Tom from across the pond.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much for your kind words Tom, you're a gent. Having those quiet places to rest and ponder is so important.

[@ValerieHarristhefoodiemedic]

Good morning Ben, Clearly you have been warmer there than the PNW. We have had a perniciously wet and cold spring. I'm afraid my harvests have been less impressive so far. Now we are being thrust in to weather whiplash and we are having a few days of a heatwave. Always a different challenge. The up side is, hopefully now, my plants will giddy up and go. Happy summer!

[@danijjoycee]

Lol yes, the next three days for us & our plants will be pivotal ☺️👌

[@GrowVeg]

I heard about your late start to spring. Hopefully you'll have a 'normal' summer which will bring everything on without getting intolerably hot.

[@nomathembazwedala7704]

Thanks for showing us your beautiful garden, it is very healthy, well looked after.

[@GrowVeg]

Appreciate that, thank you. :-)

[@bybbah]

Hello ,a west African newcomer here from NY.I'm just smiling as I'm following your joy,which remind the joy of Prigioni in NJ.WAW CONGRAT,JUST BEAUTIFUL. NOW I have a 2nd fav GARDENER after CASTER HILL GARDEN. I WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK.LOVE IT.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much for your kind words, appreciate it. Prigioni is awesome too!

[@matty946]

I love your channel, Ben! I'm an aspiring gardener in Canada. You're a great presenter and your videos have great production values! Why don't you expand your channel or your video repertoire by making some home cooking and canning/preserving videos of your veg garden bounty? I'd watch them!👍

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers for that Matty. I've done a few videos on using your produce (canning and storing etc.) and I'll be doing a video on how to use up gluts of beans, beets etc. later this summer. It's great to be able to do these kinds of videos also.

[@haikufarm]

I really enjoyed rambling through your garden, Ben. We finally got summer weather here in the Pacific NorthWest, with warm temps and actual sunshine...but it's raining again today, bah.. I fear my corn will not make it "knee-high by 4th of July", and everything else is way behind my usual schedule. The spinach was a complete failure (!!!) but I've thrown in some chard seeds recently and will cross my fingers. Please tell us more about succession planting--which plants can follow early crops, etc. I usually drop calendula seeds in with my potatoes, because I can never find all the potatoes and it's pretty much a recurring crop in that spot. But the peas will be done soon, so I will have that space open. Thoughts? Also: please tell us about slugs. They don't care about beer when the rain waters it down so much!

[@GrowVeg]

Check back on our recent videos - we did one on slugs, which I hope you'll find handy. For follow-on crops I'd suggest: maincrop carrots, beets, bush beans, bulb fennel, chard and then the winter veggies: kale, cabbage, sprouting broccoli, parsnips.

[@JasonLockwood87]

Cornucopia - Great word!

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers Jason - hope you're all good and enjoying the garden.

[@davidcarden7587]

Your videos are a constant helping tool me a new gardener. As well as wonderfully enjoyable.

[@Onniesprairiegarden]

Looks so good!!! And your Rosie looks so sweet!!!! 😍 I love our fur friends! ❤️ oh I love harvest videos!!!!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much :-)

[@bybbah]

I laughed at your Sadistic hot peppers.lol because I was saying not hottie then here they are in the green house.

[@vanessacreed1562]

Ben, I always enjoy watching your videos. I wish I can grow veggies like you do. It is not easy, our weather in the PNW does not help. That climbing rose is spectacular.

[@GrowVeg]

Our climate is fairly similar - just a bit cooler in the summer I think. That rose is spectacular - it's such a showstopper every year!

[@catiepower3550]

There is so much happening in your garden. Very lovely. Thank you for the tour

[@peterhendriks1972]

hello Ben, I came across your channel a few days ago and since then I enjoy your high quality videos with a lot of clear information. I have plans to turn our entire garden into a vegetable garden at the end of this year to be able to eat even more delicious vegetables. Thank you very much for your enthusiastic way of "teaching". Greetings from Holland, Peter.

[@GrowVeg]

That's wonderful to hear Peter. I bet you will cultivate a stunning vegetable garden. Best of luck with it. :-)

[@psalm919]

Watching this in winter 2023 and making me long for the spring. What a wonderful garden. Your really blessed to have the space and the want to yse it wisely.

[@GrowVeg]

I am very lucky! Dreaming of spring now also. :-)

[@brianbranson2920]

Wow, thanks, Ben for the awesome tour! Your infectious and positive energy is very motivating for those eager to have success in the garden. Thanks so much for sharing your passion with us.

[@GrowVeg]

It's a pleasure Brian, thank you for watching.

[@emilytam2693]

I can see your joy for gardening. Inspiring!

[@daliagonzalez1613]

I loved the ecological features incorporated in your garden. What a beautiful garden you achieved! Really inspiring.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much. :-)

[@Imjetta7]

Thank you for the tour, I just love your channel!

[@positivelysimful1283]

We go thru a lot of zucchini too, I usually have about 6 plants. Slice them in salads, make zucchini bread/muffins, egg them and fry them like my mom used to for sandwiches or zucchini parmesean, cut them lengthwise & scoop out the seeds then fill it with meat/sauce/cheese mixtures, saute zucchini & other squash with a squirt of lemon and some herbs for a nice side dish... I love them.

[@GrowVeg]

Me too! Great ideas for serving them up there. :-)

[@doggybiscuit29]

you are an amazing teacher i love watching your videos

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you, I really appreciate you watching. :-)

[@lilspittin313]

Excited to see how those apples turn out too!!

[@JHS9498]

Thank you for your lovely walk along your garden. It is a beautiful time of the year!

[@christophermee5214]

Great. When there’s anything spiked or thorny send in the kids. 😂😂 love it.

[@GrowVeg]

Haha - indeed!

[@jetiyap.5725]

I start to like weeding after watching your video, I am going to gain victory over them.

[@GrowVeg]

Brilliant! :-)

[@marymulhare7680]

My first summer eating squash leaves and they were delicious! I believe the same is true for your zucchini plants.

[@GrowVeg]

Oh wow, will have to try this out.

[@lesliekendall5668]

I can't believe you! If life was nothing but zucchini and chard, we'd be twins! 👍

[@Bexyboo88]

Oh I love those Alyssum, I came across them in our garden centre and I got this waft of a honey-like smell. I loved that, so I've put them in my two hanging baskets which I'm trying out growing cherry falls tomatoes in this year. I'll definitely be getting or sowing some again next year to pop all over the place. We like to leave some of the self-seeded plants that grow here and there around our garden. We've got some areas where Red Valerian has seeded itself and is growing, well I cannot believe the amount of insects that are attracted to it, it's amazing! The other day we even sat and watched this fascinating Hummingbird Hawk moth hovvering around it. I'd never even seen one before.

[@GrowVeg]

Red valerian is fantastic for the pollinators and a superb self-seeder. How lovely to spot a hummingbird hawk moth - what a treat!

[@PriestessKikyo1]

First video I've watched from you. Will be back!

[@GrowVeg]

Fab to hear, thank you. :-)

[@conniewojahn6445]

Wow! The kid eats broccoli? Cheddar and broccoli soup? I'm impressed! That and shelling peas! That makes the garden worth while!

[@GrowVeg]

Totally!

[@cathyjamieson5298]

Nettles and dandelions are good fertilizer steep in a bucket of rain water and spray your plants or just water the plants with it !!!you raspberry thrive with nettle mulch as welll!!!😇😇😇

[@GrowVeg]

Great tip, thanks Cathy. Watch out for upcoming videos when I'll be making a few feeds like that.

[@dustysgarden2254]

I’d LOVE to see a colab on how gardeners use their produce. EG: Today we are harvesting XYZ for this weeks lunches and dinners. Since XYZ is in season we are going to do ABC and EFG. Then they proceed to make things with the produce.

[@YvesStOnge]

Love you're way boss, your garden is from the God's clearly they guide you 🙏 ❤️ and your teaching is from experience thank you my friend for all that teaching 😊

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you so much for your kind words. It's lovely to have you watching. :-)

[@gabbysingh624]

Ben add some gooseberries to strawberries and make jam, you can store and use as you need

[@GrowVeg]

Great tip, thank you Gabby.

[@alwaysgofwd]

Stunning! This is quite inspiring! Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to trying that recipe too!

[@GrowVeg]

It's delicious Julie - you'll love that recipe I'm sure. :-)

[@vicmazzaro9403]

Hi Ben I really wish you would show your two daughter more helping. I noticed that they were in this video and really enjoyed seeing them. It make the videos more homey and make it more family oriented. I really feel like I’m part of your family. Please consider this suggestion

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much for your kind words. I only have one daughter (Isla) and she does very occasionally appear in the videos - but I'll be sure to have her make an appearance soon. She loves being in the videos! :-)

[@melissapollard5447]

Thanks so much for the zucchini Parmesan soup recipe. It’s become a preserving staple for us this season. I’ve been making the base soup in big batches, freezing in meal sized portion and we’ll add the Parmesan as we reheat and serve. I also add red lentils to the soup while it cooks in the slow cooker. Extra protein for us vegetarians. Like you, I love zucchini. It’s the height of summer in my southern Tasmanian no dig garden and I’m picking zucchinis from my five plants twice a day. 😁 Thanks again for your great videos. Even as a long time veg gardener, I get so many useful tips. 😊🙏🏻

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased you're enjoying the tips Melissa. Love Tassie! Happy gardening. :)

[@hypnodream]

Hi Ben, I love your videos. This one is an especial favorite. I love the idea of taking a rest on the garden bench to get ready for the next gardening task.. I do that. Your garden is large and bountiful. Wonderful to see you and the results of your labors. It was great to see your daughters. I imagine your camera person is your wife? Mine would probably not be as willing to do that.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks John, appreciate that. One of those girls is mine - the other her friend who was pressed into helping!

[@debiegordon3787]

Gorgeous & Delish for ALL...uv definitely got it all going on!!!

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you! :-)

[@daisygurl3601]

Good grief, that’s a lot of food for so early in the season! Well done! I need to try my hand at growing Romaine. It’s so gorgeous. I’m convinced that covering brassicas at the moment they are sown or transplanted is key to pest control. Yours look untouched. Your garden just keeps getting better! Blessings... daisy

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Daisy. I think I've been very luck with pests - just very few so far this year. I'm very lucky!

[@YvesStOnge]

The beefy tomatoes plant last year did give me about 15 lbsof tomatoes each plant, very tasty and beautiful color 😋

[@priscillajoseph765]

I LOVE YOUR GARDEN BEN. WATCHING YOU HARVEST FRESH FOOD STRAIGHT FROM YOUR GARDEN WARMS MY HEART. SUCH PLEASURE. CANG THANK YOU ENOUGH. 🏆

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Priscilla. :-)

[@notlouella]

Ben, you always bring a smile to my face. I too LOVE zucchini and have discovered zephyr squash which (to me) is even more delicious than the best zucchini I've ever grown. I suspect you'd adore it too. Best to you, your fam and your garden!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Louella. Zephyr squash are the bee's knees!

[@gaylekerr9826]

Ben, your garden has grown amazingly! It's so lovely! I'll have to remember that pulling weeds is like a computer game - haha!

[@GrowVeg]

It certainly is - all good fun!

[@BeeKayy13]

Your garden is absolutely incredible and very inspiring. Everything was grown in a very well thought out way and your joy and positive feedback on every individual plant shows how much you care. Your family is very lucky, especially your children/child. Happy Harvesting and thanks for sharing 🌿 🍅 🐝 🌺

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you so much for your lovely words. Happy gardening! :-)

[@juliacheetham6854]

Absolutely brilliant. Love your videos Ben!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much! :-)

[@theladysgardenandhome]

Thank you for the tour! It's so interesting to see where others in the world are with their gardens this time of year. Yours looks gorgeous!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much. :-)

[@theirishcailin333]

The gooseberry thorn is also a great cure for a sty in your eye!! (Old Irish cure)

[@GrowVeg]

Interesting! 👁️

[@cricketbug7390]

You are an absolute gem of a human! I thank you for sharing your beautiful garden & knowledge with the world. I hope to have a garden like yours one day. ✌️💖✨

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much for watching, really appreciate it. Hope you get to garden this growing season. :-)

[@cricketbug7390]

I've already got mine going indoors so far! Tomato plants that are already producing, and seedlings, sprouts, and micro greens. Having wonderful luck indoors, but outdoors I still have a lot of work to do. I am geared up for Spring 🌱🌱🌱🌱 Stay Blessed my friend! ✨

[@JamaBradfield]

Love watching these. We just bought our place and started garden beds this year. We had several unfortunate heat waves this spring. Most of my plants bolted. Lol. Been working on saving those seeds and getting new babies in the ground. Thanks for fun videos to watch. And love the garden app.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Jama. I hope your new babies do well and don't bolt quite so soon.

[@alycewarr5332]

I’ve been looking for a garden master for years on you tube. I’ve found some from all over the world and many zones. Finally I found you. Very good information and you don’t dally about with it. Straightforward, I have no questions afterwards. Cover all areas of growing and the best part? Your funny quips. I laugh a lot wondering if anyone else hears them 🤗. Being winter here in Oregon US, I am learning a lot after years of working. I have a very very small garden but I make do. I wish I had a garden partner like you around for personal visits and tea. Carry on 😎

[@GrowVeg]

Those are very kind words, thank you so much! It's really lovely to have you on board on the channel. A very warm welcome to you! :-)

[@juliawitts7270]

Lovely tour. Thanks for the advice regarding yellow courgette leaves on the yellow fruiting variety - I was just starting to worry! 😄

[@GrowVeg]

It had me worried too till I discovered this.

[@iraceruk]

We're having the same growing problems as last year. Leeks and Spring Onions are just staying the size of sewing needles and aren't growing at all, and the same goes for several other crops - some of which never even germinated. Everything's in large pots, but gets plenty of light and water. I thought it might be cheap supermarket compost, but certain things are growing OK in it so it's a total mystery!

[@GrowVeg]

Sometimes things just take a while to get momentum behind them. I've found this in the past with onions - they sit there and then suddenly decide to put on a growth spurt - a bit like a sputtering fire that suddenly bursts into life. Keep things well watered etc. and ensure they have enough space and hopefully they'll grow away soon.

[@OurSmallholdingAdventure]

Love your happiness at the potatoes. It never ever gets old to harvest spuds! It has been so dry here in the North east, very windy too. I don’t think I’ve know it be so windy for so long tbh! Tracy :)

[@GrowVeg]

Hope the wind calms down for you soon Tracy - and that a fine harvest of spuds awaits!

[@la1163]

Aww sweet Rosie! I'm getting ready to start my fall garden prep. It's been hot as Hades here in the states, zone 9a Texas. Make sure you use sunscreen. Happy gardening Ben.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for that - I'll make sure I'm lathered up in the sunscreen. Just turning hot here now - low 90s next weekend!

[@la1163]

@@GrowVeg I wish that was us. I think we hit 105 this past weekend twice. Friends in Colorado been hitting record breaking highs. Make sure your love ones lather up to and if Rosie outside with you, keep a bowl of fresh water for her. My Pickles (dog) Tootsie (cat) are tag along with us, but the want out bottle water only lol. Happy gardening

[@barbsnyder1352]

Love your station with just gardening. So tired of garden shows turning into homesteading and business. Thanks for sharing and being you.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Barb, that's appreciated.

[@joyscott374]

Grass is really amazind Ben. I've been using it for mulch for some years on my garden. Thanks for reminding me of other uses. I'm looking forward to the comfrey & other garden flowers episode.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Joy. Hope you enjoy the next video. :-)

[@EMT877]

Can’t wait for zucchini season here, shivering in a very cool winter, down under. A friend gave me a zucchini and pea soup recipe. Sounds similar to yours and was yummy. Must try yours in summer. Here is hers: Pea & Zucchini Soup Ingredients 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 3 zucchinis, sliced 1 medium potato, peeled and chopped 3 cups stock 1⁄4 teaspoon salt 2 cups peas 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind 1 tablespoon chopped mint leaves 1 Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until soft. 2 Add zucchini, potatoes, stock and salt and simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes or until potato is very soft. 3 Add peas, lemon and mint and simmer for a further 2-3 minutes until peas float to the surface. 4 Blend using a stick blender and serve topped with extra mint leaves and cracked black pepper. I didn’t use lemon rind. Love your garden. I have a 3 metre by 1 metre raised bed in our retirement village, but I still get plenty of zucchini’s 😄 Will enjoy watching your harvest to get my gardening fix, until it’s spring planting time here. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@GrowVeg]

What a wonderful recipe - sounds like it would taste yum. Thanks for sharing. :-)

[@davidthescottishvegan]

A fantastic harvest Ben and this is the best part of gardening that I and probably most growing your own plant foods gardener's enjoy. Rosie is cute and a good pest to put up with. A excellent garden tour video. Keep safe, well and happy gardening.

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers matey. Definitely the best bit about growing your own!

[@katherinewright7963]

Watching on the telly, that rambling rose is amazing 👏!

[@GrowVeg]

It's a beauty - I'm so lucky!

[@sandraleatongray518]

Great video this week, thank you. Re: Chard, I had excellent success cutting back last year’s plants, which then regrew this year very nicely. I also leave lettuce roots in and they often regrow as well. Update on squash, pea and bean pests: plastic bottles have worked the best as a defence, and cloches, but the holly seems to have helped too. Extra use for bolted spinach and chard: Rabbits adore this stuff so ask around your neighbours to see if anyone can use it. Finally carrots: Remember you can also use carrot tops in salads to add additional texture and visual interest (along with nasturtium flowers)

[@GrowVeg]

Superb tips, thanks so much for sharing those Sandra, it's appreciated. :-)

[@AnaHebe]

What good vibes you have! Thanks! Good video! Great garden!!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks! :-)

[@monaskau1830]

Uhh can't wait to try the soup 🤩 I love courgettes/zucchinis as well and even though I am single and don't have a lot of people to give away to, I still have at least 4 plants every year 😁

[@GrowVeg]

You can never have enough courgettes/zucchini! :-)

[@lindasands1433]

Winter. Cold and wet here in the South Island of New Zealand. It's wonderful to see your lush summer garden with all the produce! You must have worked hard to get all that planted. Thanks for the inspiration

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching Linda. Your winter cold and wet sounds lovely right now - record temperatures here in the UK today, expected to reach 41C tomorrow - unheard of. :-(

[@musratchoudhury7323]

Addicted to watching your channel and really enjoy each video. Thank you for all your content. I love your enthusiasm and the information is priceless. I'm trying my luck with ginger, pumpkins and potatoes this year, along with a few sunflowers for decoration. Theyre coming on nicely. Wish me luck! P.s. at 20:45 we can hear you say "cut" 😂

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased it's all coming along nicely for you - top work. And yes, just noticed I did say 'cut' - oops! No idea how that got left in!

[@TomTom-df9ph]

You are such a nice inspirational guy. You deserve all that wonderful produce

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers so much, really appreciate that. :-)

[@cherylhowker1792]

ATM I'm very tired but I can say wow Ben.... Just wow... Will watch again when lee tired and ask more questions. 😁🍅🌽🍓🍒🍏🍋🥕

[@GrowVeg]

Wonderful, thanks Cheryl. Questions happily received. :-)

[@MoPoppins]

Excellent strategy to mow a path thru the long grass! The perfect win-win! 👍

[@rhondaprudhomme2098]

Love your garden am from Trinidad and Tobago

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much - really appreciate you watching. :-)

[@melanieallen8980]

your garden is looking beautiful!!Yummm.brocoli & cheddar soup..😋I never knew kale could be grown by cutting...

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Melanie. It's the perennial kale I've grown from a cutting (delivered by post!).