Productive Fall Garden 🍁Keep Growing!

It's the end of the growing season... or is it?! Ben takes us on a tour of his garden and shows us some essential jobs to do and some essential crops to grow this autumn, to keep you growing right into spring.
For yummy and ingenious ways to store your produce over winter, check out Ben's water bath canning tips in this video: • Water Bath Canning Ste...
Or if you have a glut of green tomatoes, here are some scrumptious recipes and ideas for what to do with them • What to do with Green ...
If you love growing your own food, why not take a look at our online Garden Planner which helps you to plan and design your garden to maximise yields and get more out of your garden all year round.
It's available from several major websites and seed suppliers:
www.GrowVeg.com
gardenplanner.almanac.com
gardenplanner.motherearthnews...
and many more...
To receive more gardening videos subscribe to our channel here: / subscription_. .
If you've noticed any pests or beneficial insects in your garden lately please report them to us at BigBugHunt.com

[@TwoMarshmallows1]

"You provide as much wildlife habitat as you can and sometimes you just move into your shoes." That's hilarious and so cute as well! Wildlife are like domesticated cats, in a way: they decide what to do and humans just have to deal with it. We had a hedgehog decide to sleep on a plastic bag that was on the floor of the shed. This was last summer. We had no idea the bag was there, let alone the hedgehog. It had clearly been there a while, since it had left its own deposits. We removed the bag because we were worried the hedgehog would suffocate. The hedgehog found a new sleeping spot and continued to visit the garden. Thank you for another cheerful and informative video! Love the music as well, and please give Rosie a pat for being such a good helper.

[@GrowVeg]

Haha - that's brilliant! And what an honour to have a hedgehog stay in your garden. They're such wonderful creatures. :-)

[@timredford6608]

During the 60s my mother would slice a marrow length ways scoop all the seeds out , make a deep channel on both sides fill with spiced mince diced carrots pea's then tie marrow back together cover in foil and back in the oven Yum Yum

[@GrowVeg]

A classic stuff marrow - but no less delicious. :-)

[@MS-ku7tl]

Peel, seed and cut your marrow into small cubes. Put 6 to 8 cups in a pot. Add 2/3 cup lemon juice and boil til tender. Lower heat and add 1 cup sugar, pinch salt and cinnamon to taste. Stir til sugar dissolved. Just like apple pie filling. Love seeing your garden. Looking forward to next video.

[@GrowVeg]

Oh wow - that's a genius idea!

[@kochrose]

Hello from across the pond, what is marrow?

[@MS-ku7tl]

A marrow is just the fully mature form of a zucchini. If you leave a zucchini to grow on it gets very large and is then considered a marrow.

[@maggcia8089]

I love these videos, they are like a best friend sharing years of experience. I grow aubergines in the greenhouse and outside. The outdoors ones, in a sunny sheltered spot, did so much better then the indoors when they belatedly got going, in East Midlands UK. They are the crop I'm proudest of this season. One niggle is that I feel it is important to wear gloves - partly because on an allotment you never know when you might unearth a shard of glass, or some animal waste.

[@GrowVeg]

Good point about the gloves. I do wear them sometimes (when weeding brambles etc) but should take more care at other times.

[@Dragon-wl5ic]

I am a total newbie, well will be in spring, lol Your wife seriously hit the jackpot. You are an amazing gardener and you can cook, pickle and all that stuff! My hubby doesn't even know the difference between a zucchini and a cucumber, lol. Another great video with super amazing tips. Thank you so much and have a lovely rest of the weekend!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching. I can assure you I have my share of imperfections too!

[@Dragon-wl5ic]

@@GrowVeg 🤣🤣

[@bipbip6626]

Mine does not EVEN know the differences between a zucchini and a courgette! LOL

[@ValerieHarristhefoodiemedic]

Good morning, My gardening with nature at the moment involves a black bear. He has been visiting my orchard to do a lot of "clean up, fertilizing, and pruning." Thankfully my trees are abundant enough that there is plenty to share but his pruning style is pretty rough. I have my fall garden produces well before the weather degrades any more and the herd of slugs have their way with them. I am gardening in the maritime northwest of Washington State, USA.

[@tess764]

And I was about to complain about mosquitos.... Yikes!

[@ValerieHarristhefoodiemedic]

@@tess764 LOL!

[@Dragon-wl5ic]

Omg, I would have a heart attack, lol

[@laurieanne9712]

Yes, I have deer doing that with my ornamental grasses :(

[@GrowVeg]

Oh wow! That is some serious garden wildlife!

[@laurieanne9712]

This was wonderful! I love when you talk about your crops & then tell us what your going to do with them. I only planted 1 eggplant, which I've been making baba ganoush, but now you've given me another great idea! Thanks for all!

[@GrowVeg]

Ooh - baba ganoush is another excellent idea - thank you for that. :-)

[@anncapozza5803]

@@GrowVeg Caponata is my favorite dish to make with eggplant - so good served on crostini.

[@andrewsurrey9526]

love the video. inspired by the pond - I always thought they had to be big and expensive. don’t suppose you’ve done a video on that? gardening with nature rather than fighting it would be my request for 2022 videos! Best content on youtube. thank you

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Andrew, appreciated. I haven't done a video on that but making a pond is quite simple. I used a pre-formed pond - a very basic one. I just dug out a suitable-shaped hole for it and added/removed soil to get it perfectly level, using a spirit level. Then back filled to firm it in before adding a few plants in aquatic pots and filling with rain water. The bottom of the pond is an inch layer of washed gravel/stones.

[@andrewsurrey9526]

@@GrowVeg thank you!! will do the same

[@paulscholey6601]

@@andrewsurrey9526 @GrowVeg Just make sure you leave something sticking out of the pond, a large rock or stick or similar, so that any wildlife that falls in can climb back out again!

[@andrewsurrey9526]

@@paulscholey6601 top tip! do you find you have to top it up with rainwater much?

[@allisonjsmith6443]

excellent pond video, goes over all the different types of ponds you may want (non-affiliate link, I'm just trying to help) kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5LHfXaFpsaffM0

[@WillViles]

I interspersed some African marigolds grown from seed between all of my kale and spinach last year. They bloomed for ages and I had the best pest-free crop ever!

[@GrowVeg]

Brilliant endorsement Will, thank you!

[@rovantigh3003]

With my last marrows, I have made marrow and ginger jam. Very easy to make and is really delicious.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for the idea, appreciated!

[@rovantigh3003]

@@GrowVeg If you do make the jam,use crystalized ginger instead of grating root ginger.You will still get the full bounce of the ginger flavour and it makes a really smooth jam with no bits.

[@nancymchugh5528]

Great idea to incorporate maintenance chores along with growing crops. So very important and sometimes forgotten or delayed. Your gentle reminder was perfect. As a first year veggie gardener your videos are a must. Thank you!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching Nancy, and so pleased you found the video useful.

[@mannhk2069]

I like your cute assistant:)

[@suzannefronzaglio2427]

We use the big zucchinis (or as you say "marrow") for making zucchini bread. I don't know anyone who doesn't love zucchini bread. It's just like a loaf cake. Extremely moist, lots of variations you can try (chocolate zucchini bread, add raisins, walnuts, some add coconut flakes. Some people make zucchini muffins.) They also freeze well, and are even more moist if frozen then thawed. Years ago my grandmother got a recipe off of a friend, for making strawberry jam out of green tomatoes. They usually made this towards the end of the season, with the green tomatoes that weren't ripened yet, and the plants were looking raggedy, and ready to be pulled up. I remember we stopped by to visit her, and she got the strawberry "green tomatoes" jam out for us to sample. I was hesitant to try it, but did... and was quite surprised at how it did indeed taste just like real strawberry jam. If I recall correctly, the recipe uses strawberry jello to flavor the green tomatoes. I'm pretty sure you can find the recipe online! But she loved the fact that it was using the tomatoes that were green, instead of wasting them.

[@GrowVeg]

What a novel way of using up green tomatoes Suzanne!

[@suzannefronzaglio2427]

@@GrowVeg I forgot to add, that you can use any flavor of jello that you like.

[@jamieboyd6941]

We're also in the clean up stage for much of our garden right now here in Ohio in the U.S. The last of our chiles are ripening, green beans are finishing up, winter squash is curing, and my large zinnia patch is really providing a great way stop for pollinators and hummingbirds. Garlic will be going into the ground soon, kale, turnips, beets, salad greens and radishes all thriving in the cooler temps. Unfortunately my squash and cucumbers succumbed a few weeks ago to a rather fast and furious infestation of squash bugs, which I missed until it was too late due to an unfortunate knee injury. Boo. Those large zucchini are awesome grated and frozen for later use in breads, cookies, tomato sauces and soups! Thank you for showing us that you also battle tomatoe blight and have a few weeds too, Ben!😄 Happy gardening!!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for that Jamie, appreciated. Glad your chiles are ripening up too. It's still touch and go for most of mine I think, but I'm hopeful. Happy gardening to you too! :-)

[@only-vans]

Everyone learned to wash their hands in 2020, let's all learn the word Autumn.

[@thepharmacyofyah]

I am so happy I found your channel! It is absolutely my favourite! I love how you “dance” with the rhythm of nature. Thank you for sharing and inspiring! My partner and I are so exited to start bringing the garden to life, we are new to gardening and we are learning so much from your videos! Thank you again 🙏🏽

[@GrowVeg]

That is lovely to hear. Thank you for watching. :-)

[@rhg3212]

I use companion planting to garden with nature. This year I have had a much better aphid and green fly control by using nasturtiums, marigolds and garlic. My sweet peas were thriving until I moved my potted marigolds to protect some tomatoes. Then the pesky green menaces squatted in. I didn’t know that they enjoyed sweet peas until they were smothered.

[@GrowVeg]

It's great to work with companion planting - nature's way of working with pests.

[@maryroberts2154]

I love the longer video! You should do this more often, like a series!

[@RCPrepping]

Autumn! I can only imagine what it must be like to experience the changing of the four seasons. Here in central Florida USA we have two seasons: February and summer.

[@GrowVeg]

A very long growing season indeed!

[@mistiquepyke6518]

Marrow tagine is a nice change and soup

[@GrowVeg]

Love tagines. Thank you.

[@carladelagnomes]

Oh! That mash for the top of Sheppard's Pie sounds wonderful!

[@andreahorsch286]

I really appreciate the clean up part of this! It's not glamorous, but it is what many of us are doing now. Are there any plants whose roots you should not leave in the ground after you snip off the finished top?

[@GrowVeg]

Hi Andrea. Any annual plant roots can be left in the ground to rot down. But I would dig up the roots of any perennial weeds, or any plant you don't want there that is likely to spring to life again next spring.

[@shannonr9689]

Thanks for another inspiring video! I live in the Midwest of the United States and the way I incorporate nature into my garden is by planting native prairie plants in beds next to my veggie garden. Prairie Moon Nursery in Minnesota has some lovely seed mixes of native prairie plants, including mixes specifically designed to attract and support beneficial insects. It’s only been a couple years since I started gardening here but I can already see many more species of bees and butterflies in my garden since planting the native grasses and flowers.

[@GrowVeg]

What a wonderful and colourful way to add colour and insect life. The prairies have some truly magnificent specimens - and I use a lot of my plants in my own garden. It's great to be able to attract native wildlife in such a beautiful way.

[@KenHJones]

Your garden is just at the same stage as mine. I'm in South Wales. So a very useful video. I going to grow spinach and rocket over winter in the greenhouse, so next weeks video will be really interesting for me.

[@GrowVeg]

Great stuff Ken. If you haven't sown them though, I'd get on and do that asap, as I'll be planting them from plug plants (which you can also order online still).

[@KenHJones]

@@GrowVeg I sowed them afew weeks ago so I'm ready to plant out

[@henningbartels6245]

Marrows -cut into cubes and boil with some water, a potato, garlic and seasoning and then puree it with an immersion blender, add creme and some fresh herbs like parsley or coriander and you have a fine soup.

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds delicious - thanks for sharing. :-)

[@marcialittle7893]

Loved the toad in the shoe, I found my little green tree frogs up on the north side of my garage yesterday, where overnight the big halogen light gives them plenty to eat. Tree frogs are adorable little frogs, I have seen them this year in my sweet potatoe leaves, leaves of my poblano plants, on the side of a T post and sitting on top of welded wire fence, sunning. Nature at it's best, love the videos.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching Marcia. Yes, nature can surprise and fascinate sometimes.

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Marrow Rum!! Well, someone had to bring the alcohol LOL

[@GrowVeg]

Hmmm.... interesting...

[@vicmazzaro9403]

I was get my seeds for spring and was wondering how come I’ve never seen you doing a video about getting seeds from flowers and vegetables. I’m sure your followers would like to see how to get seeds from them. I’m still learning how to get the seeds from a lot of flowers so I can save money and use my own seeds. Love your videos keep them coming, you make my day brighter

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for the suggestion. You’re not the only one to ask for this, so I hope to do a video on seed saving soon.

[@desertflower9557]

I loved spending time with you in this video. And I always learn something new. I’m glad you are enjoying it all.

[@johnwilton3496]

Marrows. Simply slice and fry in a little butter with a smidge of salt and pepper. Delicious.

[@GrowVeg]

Yum!

[@hollyjordan1307]

Zucchini relish for those big fellows! It's delish!

[@GrowVeg]

Brill, thanks Holly.

[@tasgardener7923]

I grate up the zuccs (or marrow. We just call them big zuccs here!) And turn them into a tangy mustard seed pickle relish which can be bottled (canned) and used throughout the year. It's delicious. I'm not a huge fan of zuccs in the first place and I really only grow them purely to make the mustard seed pickle relish.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll look up a suitable recipe.

[@tasgardener7923]

@@GrowVeg I think I might have given the recipe to whoever runs the growveg insta page

[@laceymiles8455]

A good thing to do with your overgrown Zucs, is to can them in Pineapple juice and use them as Pineapple. Yummy!

[@GrowVeg]

Someone else has suggested this, so I'm going to have to give it a try. Thank you.

[@jla3772]

Much of your garden seems to be in shade; its that true; you have a beautiful place.

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, a lot of the area is shady - could probably do with a little more sun, but it's great having all the trees and shrubs around.

[@jla3772]

@@GrowVeg I love the shade; nice to see you have a lot of shade and still grow some things. My place is shady like yours.

[@donnag7095]

I love that you show how to grow for wild life. More on that topic is always welcome. We have a very large property, over 5 acres and I try to grow as much as possible for wildlife,. Although, you do end up with wildlife in strange places :-). Keep it coming thanks

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Donna. We'll certainly be revisiting ideas for wildlife from time to time. Wildlife does turn up in funny places, you're right!

[@heidimarcinik5620]

I’ve become a student of the Soil Food Web School run by Dr Elaine Ingham. Here I’m learning about the soil food web system-how it works-understanding the soil microbes-and how to best grow in harmony with the natural systems, how to compost correctly to ensure beneficial microbes exist via aerobic processes, and then adding those beneficial microbes to the soil to maintain healthy soils, rich in diversity.

[@GrowVeg]

Wonderful! Soil really is the starting point for any thriving garden.

[@vicmazzaro9403]

I just love videos like this, it makes me so excited to follow your example. Please keep doing what you do, you make people like me to get right out and get in the yard to love nature. You are so much of an inspiration to me and other like me. Keep the videos coming

[@GrowVeg]

This is so lovely to hear, really appreciate this comment. :-)

[@calebsanimals]

I had a couple overgrown zucchini. I peeled and seeded them, cut up into cubes and roasted with potatoes and other veggies, (seasoned with olive oil and spices prior to roasting). Simple and good !

[@GrowVeg]

Brilliant suggestion, thanks for sharing. :-)

[@foxglove8836]

Enjoy your VL's. I have stacks of kale, I have cut it down 3 times and it just keeps growing. Broc/cabbage/carrots ect have been plentiful. Been giving it away and freezing. And your right the taste of home grown veg is outstanding.

[@GrowVeg]

I think taste is the number one reason for growing your own for sure. :-)

[@francesbatycki404]

Shred the marrow, squeeze out the water, mix with egg and make fritters.

[@GrowVeg]

Great idea, thanks Frances.

[@brandialyssayoung6302]

OMG!! My new favorite, and I'm Italian, is Zucchini Lasagna! You cut them thin'ish length wise and use them as the noodle part, then make it like normal. You can try and get some water out of them first with salt on the slices, but I find it still doesn't work. I just drain off the extra fluid.

[@GrowVeg]

Fantastic idea, thank you. I love lasagna and this seems like an excellent low-carb way of doing it. Super!

[@brandialyssayoung6302]

It is so good! Love it more than the real thing. We had these all the time this past summer with our giant zucs! I have a picture but I can't seem to post it for you. our own toms, garlic, basil, oregano, zucs, parsley, eggs, just the cheeses were store bought! Yummy! Enjoy!

[@heidimoss7852]

Would love to see more videos on seed saving, especially from plants where the process is less straightforward (tomatoes?). Thanks for your videos, so helpful!!

[@GrowVeg]

Hi there Heidi. Do check out our existing videos on seed saving: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5O5lHuCpa2rgck and kzbin.info/www/bejne/moHafplpqqZrh5o

[@dlaity107]

1min ish: Glad you mention the beans. Ours are still going fairly strong too. Personally am freezing them in chunks, ready to cook, but your recipe sounds lovely too. With the marrows, They're often a little easier on the hands for wee ones just coming to the age for jackolanterns. Friend of mine made some lovely candle lanterns as a table centrepiece with her wee one about the age of your Isla. She just flattened one end so it would stand on the plate, then Arwen taped her picture round the outside and they worked together to carve the design in. IIRC it was mainly flowers and stars. Add in a tealight & you're away (obviously has to have a constant eye on etc of course).

[@GrowVeg]

What a great idea - love it! Thanks so much for sharing. :-)

[@dlaity107]

@@GrowVeg any time.

[@emmahughes2618]

Fermented tomato salsa is great too! For those tomatoes

[@juanarosa-gonzalez6705]

I just came to have a dose of optimism. Thanks!

[@GrowVeg]

:-)

[@irunamuk]

I LOVE YOUR PUPPY! 🖤

[@smsfmastergardeners]

This video had a little bit of this, and a little bit of that, wonderful!

[@timtation5837]

Brussels Sprouts, Brussels Sprouts, Brussels Sprouts…. If you can harvest them after frost or snow they are phenomenal… They turn sweet and clean and are incredible. The plant can survive being buried in snow and still be perfectly fine. That snow makes magic happen inside the plant and it sends extra sugar to the Sprouts. It’s an indescribable sweet clean taste, it completely changes the flavor in a wonderful way. If you can limp a plant through winter, and then give it exposure to a frost that almost kills it, but it survives, then it will experience that same magic (granted that is far more tricky to be successful and not accidentally kill the plant entirely. I came upon this by accident with some lettuces, and they were some of the best I have ever eaten, clean, bright, and sweet and they kept that up for about a month before the flavor started migrating back to normal. If a plant is incredibly hardy, like Brussels Sprouts, just let them get buried in snow, if a plant is delicate, like lettuce, harvest most of its leaves and let it get hit by a late spring frost and hope a few survive it, you will be rewarded if they do. Winter is by far my favorite time for gardening, it’s a time for row covers/frost blankets, and green houses. There are no bugs, and if you can manage to keep plants alive and producing, you might get to experience some really cool tricks and treats from nature. It’s unlike anything you can get in the other three seasons. Winter gardening and winter fishing are two of my favorite things.

[@GrowVeg]

It's great to love all seasons, especially the quieter times of year. There's a real beauty in winter I agree. :-)

[@maryanna6302]

Dilly beans sound great, never tried them before. Sounds like a fun canning project for next year!

[@GrowVeg]

They are awesome. A little vinegary at first, so they do need a few months to mellow. But once they have - delicious!

[@ashmash1934]

Marrow flour. Dry and blend it to a powder. Mix 50:50 with bread flour for all kinds of recipes.

[@GrowVeg]

Great idea!

[@gingafinga]

Essential fall tasks! 🙏🏻

[@christinej2358]

First, thank you so much for all your wonderful informative videos. Your gardens are beautiful and producing very well. I’d like to see a detailed video on companion planting. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of gardening with us!

[@GrowVeg]

Check out our two videos on companion planting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fomud5ilprFjeM0 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3-vgaCrjaitfLs

[@lindasands1433]

I used a zucchini marrow a bit at a time. I grated some of it into a bowl, added different flours, salt, herbs and spices, a bit of baking soda to lighten it up, then mix with water to form patties. A third of the marrow went into vege soup. I grated some into my bean nacho mix and it thickened it Ps. We are heading into winter here in New Zealand (May)

[@GrowVeg]

That's very resourceful - making use of it all.

[@patjoyce7247]

Always cheerful Ben. I’m rather envious of your garden. Ours is small but manageable, all veg is on my allotment just under a mile down the road. As for making the garden a wildlife haven...I don’t do anything particularly consciously, but I do compost as much as I possibly can, and a large grass snake was grateful in the summer, we have at least 2 resident hedgehogs. We don’t have a pond but someone nearby must have because we have a few little frogs/toads bobbing about. When you think about it there is so much life! We have goldfinches, and various birds feeding from sunflowers (including the crafty squirrel). Red kites, buzzards and the occasional sparrow-hawk hang on the thermals expectantly above.

[@GrowVeg]

That sounds like loads of wildlife! How wonderful to have resident hedgehogs, particularly given how their numbers have declined over recent decades - you are very blessed.

[@jenniferbailey6409]

I know that you compost so that you have an idea of the contribution which your trimmings add to your soil either by the barrow or the height of the compost, but perhaps you can add some of the stalks, green grass trimmings to the sides of the beds in which you have your spring crops so that they will decompose over the winter into the soil. Will be looking for some of your other videos. Thanks for sharing, what's going on in your part of the world

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for that Jennifer. Yes, sometimes things like small weeds are simply cut and dropped where they are. It makes sense to compost in situ when the opportunity arises.

[@allisongarethevans210]

We'd love to hear more about growing fruit & veg in a shady garden. We love your videos, so real and honest

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for that Allison and Gareth. Will add that to our list of suggestions. You may've seen it already, but here's an existing video on growing in a shadier garden: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6nbknqhaJalaKs

[@FromOurGarden]

Some much variety! How inspiring 🥰

[@valoriegriego5212]

Howdy Ben!👋 What another great time in your garden with you.🙂 I think Rosie wanted a bit of that carrot too. She's cute.🐕 Your garden continues to shine with loads of produce!🌱 I have a birdbath, trees and bushes welcoming the birds to our garden to drink , take a bath or look for bugs. I'm mindful of the ladybugs and other good crawlies.🙂 We have toads...I leave piles of leaves in certain spaces for them to enjoy. I plan on putting in a pond next spring. We have squirrels that garden with me...planting lots of pecan trees.🙂 When the sunflower head starts to fade I put it out for the squirrels to enjoy. In the past they have left me gifts...pecans in the path where I have to walk.🙂 I am looking forward to your next post!👩🏾‍🌾

[@GrowVeg]

That's wonderful Valorie - how lovely to have garden helpers like that. Squirrels are so full of mischief and joy - you have to love them!

[@denisebrady6858]

Loved this video Ben- we are in the middle of our Autumn but you wouldn't know it with the crazy weather we are having over here. My cauliflowers & cabbages are doing no good at all so I am just persevering & might be lucky. Cheers Denise- Australia

[@GrowVeg]

Persevere Denise - hang on in there! :-)

[@TokiWithCheese]

Wholesome

[@cpoco]

I just built two raised garden beds using cut down branches/trees that I had from a tidy up, they are about 6ft long by about 2ft wide and I dropped some extra branches and weed in the bottom and topped it all off with compost. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can grow in them.

[@GrowVeg]

Brilliant work Christopher - good luck with them. :-)

[@TruthDefender]

Thanks

[@anapaulacrawford5837]

I just enjoy all! You always been so great in explaining everything! I love the longer videos! God bless!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for that - so pleased you're enjoying them.

[@adamriley3030]

🤮

[@jerrynemeth6735]

Great video Ben. We have frogs, praying mantis and anole lizards in our garden. Our kids actually feed them by hand when they catch moths destroying our plants. We did have a "pet" rat snake named Fred in the garden for a while too. He's been taking care of the marsh rats for us. The kids also feed the spiders when they catch grass hoppers and stink bugs. It makes the whole process of growing food so much more fun than just moving dirt and pulling weeds.

[@GrowVeg]

Oh wow - some very special wildlife, and so lovely to here that your kids are thrilled by it all too.

[@helen2061]

Look forward to your videos, Ben! Lots of useful information today and I can relate to you part shade situation. It gives me hope for my garden...always very encouraging! 😀

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Helen!

[@user-yv3pt3tp6b]

Loving your channel. Thank you very much

[@Lemonentory]

I am sure you probably already know but if you put green tomatoes in a paper bag and place them in a drawer or somewhere else cool and dark, check every day and they will redden.

[@GrowVeg]

Top tip, thanks Mark.

[@emmahughes2618]

Carrot greens freeze well and can be used in soups…. Stews….. instead of parsley or in a salad

[@LLFrueauf58]

With large Zucchini, I remove the seeds, slice them about a quarter inch thick and use them in place of lasagna noodles. Yummy gluten-free lasagna.

[@GrowVeg]

Oh wow - great idea!

[@reevad.8999]

I love gardening I get my composted manure from my Uncle's farm. I know its weird but I love that smell. I cant wait to construct my greenhouse so I can be outside all the time😇

[@GrowVeg]

It's not weird to love the smell - it's wonderful stuff!

[@papabearweber1507]

I know its been awhile since this video came out, but i shredded and froze my extra zucchini to make zucchini nut bread in mini loaves to give away for Christmas gifts.

[@GrowVeg]

What superb Christmas gifts! :-)

[@Jeff-rd6hb]

Dilly beans are awesome. You could use the same brine to pickle those cucumbers even if they aren't a pickling variety.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Jeff, may well give that a try.

[@amandatolan4974]

If you have eggplant and tomatoes, try caponata. It's an excellent condiment and very versatile!

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds wonderful - will take a look, thank you.

[@katiepankiewicz4740]

I am so thankful for your videos! You explain things well and the videos are just so very pleasant to watch. Thank you!

[@GrowVeg]

You're very welcome Katie, thanks for watching. I'm in southern England, so on a level with Canada. But our climate is much milder - so zone 8 USDA.

[@seasonalbackyardplanter8253]

Hi Ben, Loves your gardening videos, they are full of really good ideas. How we all garden was the question? For the first time this year, I have left circular patches of my lawn go uncut. This was done intentionally to attract more wildlife into my garden. It was difficult at first to watch the grass grow and grow but it paid off, soon I could here crickets chirping, (this was something I didn't hear so much of before) more bees buzzing so I was glad I did give it a go. Now I have to learn how to cut it all back! Autumn is here so I will be collecting fallen leaves, in the hope of add some to my compost bin and making leaf mold. I am also try to stay away from animal manure, so I am experimenting with bokashi composting my kitchen scraps then further composting it directly in my raised bed planter by digging a generous size hole fill it with my bokashi compost then lightly cover it over with soil and a terricotta plant base to keep the quitters out. That me in a nut shell.

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds like you're doing some fab things there. And I'm so pleased that your longer lawn is paying off. I've done much the same. You worry about how it looks for a while and then go with it - and then when the wildlife moves in it just validates your decision and makes it all worthwhile.

[@bluestar.8938]

Thank you : )

[@shihtzusrule9115]

I've got a raised bed just a few feet from my back door in an enclosure I have for my dogs. I frightened a lady Cardinal when I opened the door today. I only have some cherry tomatoes at that end. The cucumbers are done the 2 sunflowers didn't do anything. Not sure what was interesting her. Maybe a horned worm in the tomatoes. If so, she is welcome back anytime. She can't eat as many tomatoes as my dogs have this year. They've gotten all of the low-hanging fruit and I've had to retie a couple of times. These were volunteer plants from last year. 6 or so came up in that bed and 2 in the yard (probably a snack site of one of the dogs last year).

[@GrowVeg]

How interesting that your dogs enjoy tomatoes too - they clearly have good taste. :-)

[@tulipsmoran5197]

@@GrowVeg My two Springer Spaniels are my garden companions. They're at my side and together we sample assorted berries, beans, tomatoes, carrots as we go about chores. The best part of gardening is sampling all those crops and sharing that with your best friends. My dogs eat all veggies/fruits...maybe because I eat them?

[@lindabonomi7274]

Great video...!

[@robt2320]

Cool video! Enjoyed watching thoroughly

[@bjgreaser2020]

They make really good pies, you can cook process and freeze pre measure for winter pies. Use a pumpkin pies recipe and use butternut flavoring. Delicious

[@GrowVeg]

Wonderful, thank you!

[@jayneyj]

I last year I made marrow and ginger jam .. delicious. Thanks fir all the encouragement and tips.

[@GrowVeg]

Mmm - sounds good!

[@gloriamortel3895]

Love your gardens,and useful vedios very inspirational ,keep it up the good work and thanks for sharing,

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@radiclelife]

Rosie just wanted a snack too lol so cute! Can’t wait to get a productive garden going next spring! I have a few pots of greens going, but am preparing my beds now (:

[@GrowVeg]

Sometimes the preparation and planning is the most fun part - all that possibility! Enjoy!

[@ramthian]

So beautiful 😻

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you so much for saying. :-)

[@aaronlinville6882]

I've found the flesh of the romanesco zucchini does not get tough or unpleasant even at that size. It's great in a succotash!

[@yaneejitkaeo]

Thank you very much for a lovely video, I think your dog wanted to eat some carrots too,she’s so cute. We have got some a wildlife pond in our garden,lots of frogs and wildlife in there,sometimes we have wild ducks in the pond too. I would like to see you grow some pumpkins next year and I will try to grow some as well. Take care ❤️👍

[@GrowVeg]

I didn't grow pumpkins this year but will try next year. How wonderful to have wild ducks visit your pond!

[@MBEspinosa]

Spring begins here (Buenos Aires) but I know that autumn will arrive in a few months with its days getting shorter and shorter. I guess that we have to always be prepared for the worst times. I find your video super stimulating. Thank you!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much for watching - it's great to know there are viewers from Argentina too. I hope you have a lovely summer. :-)

[@donnaclark6201]

Marrow and Ginger Jam!!

[@gedhuffadine1873]

Go to the shop get some bachelors dry peas sightly cover with compost grow indoors or warm pea shoots started in 3 days 50 p a pack continue planting

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, I've seen this done before. Great economical tip, thank you.

[@johnrelins4282]

I love watching your videos I just today got my self an allotment so have lots of worj ahead off me.

[@GrowVeg]

Take it a bit at a time John, and remember to enjoy it all!

[@johnrelins4282]

@@GrowVeg thank you the family was down there today and we did a lot today but still lots to do we are just trying to get a bed ready for our oinions to go in.

[@yinqin5432]

I sliced the marrow thin and mixed with salt and drained the water, then mixed them with fried eggs or pork mince as dumpling fillings.or put them into soups.

[@GrowVeg]

Great idea, thank you!

[@fastfreddy19641]

I hope you are satisfied? Got me hooked on canning. Great video. 👍

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased Fred. It's a great way to store - very satisfying.

[@briano58]

Love your channel I’m learning a lot thanks for sharing your videos 🤟

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching Brian!

[@cafarmgirl3279]

Loving your video and feeling very inspired after watching, San Diego California. By the way, the little hedgehog is adorable!

[@GrowVeg]

Hedgehogs are lovely little creatures, though sadly have seen big declines in recent years. Hoping they have reached a turning point and numbers will be on the up again.

[@delsmith568]

Made courgette and lemon jam last night, making more spiced courgette chutney tonight. Marrow and pineapple makes a great dessert. Love pickled runner beans. And I use the overgrown beans seeds to use in stews etc and save some for next year. My aubergines included in ratatouille for the freezer Always a busy time in Autumn. 😆

[@GrowVeg]

It's never a quiet time of year Del!

[@akaisify]

Always such a straight forward, relatable and informative video! Great to watch. I have a suggestion regarding the marrows. A great spin on a classic röstie, freezes like a dream. Half the marrows, peel, deseed, shread, salt and squeeze out the excess liquid after about 10min. Add other vegg and herbs if you wish like shreaded carrots, pumpkin, celeriac, chopped leeks, onions, garlic,..... Add an egg per 3 cups of vegg, salt, pepper, a bit of flour (not much) to hold the mixture together. Now, The seasoning is where this gets fun, try Italian herbs and parmesan or chilli, kumin and mustard seeds, chopped capers, dried mint and feta...the sky is the limit😁. Form thin flat discs, stack them together putting a square piece of grease proof paper in between each. Store in a zip lock bag in the freezer. Pan fry as many as you need from frozen, serve with a poached egg on top, yoghurt, in a pita bread.... Simple and delish 😉 Hope this gives you some inspiration, keep up the good work, King Regards from Slovenia

[@sheilapfalzermitchell6804]

Excellent idea! These would be great for breakfast before the kids' school or as a school lunch. Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Washington State, USA

[@GrowVeg]

What a wonderful recipe suggestion - thank you so much for this. That sounds totally yum and so flexible too. Thank you! :-)

[@GreenSideUp]

If your broccolis fall over, they just run along the ground a little then grow upwards again with no harm to the plants. It does mean that protection against say Pigeons does not need to be so tall, making your life much easier...Steve...😃

[@GrowVeg]

That's a really handy tip Steve, thank you!

[@rineyary1537]

Hi..I like your garden..I like cooking Thai food and i do small garden to cooking too

[@janw491]

Dehydrating zucchini and tomatoes and really most veg works well. Making veg powders is great for future use especially tomato powder

[@GrowVeg]

Hadn't thought of making powders - good idea, thanks. :-)

[@johnpage5103]

hi great vlog, you asked wat we would like to see in your vlogs i really liked your vlog today see your garden and wats going on there, its great to have the information vlogs you do but its all so really good seeing your whole garden and wat you do there ;)

[@GrowVeg]

Fantastic, many thanks for sharing your request there John, much appreciated. :-)