Self-Sufficient Garden: How he Grew 1,300lbs/580kg+ of Food (Huw Richards)

Trying your hand at self sufficiency? Learn from a pro! In this week's episode Ben visits gardener and fellow KZbinr Huw Richards to find out his secrets to a hugely productive garden that yields insane harvests! Just wait until you see how much food this small garden can produce. It may be small but it's mightily impressive.
Huw's garden was sown, grown, harvested and weighed for his latest book, The Self-Sufficiency Garden, co-authored with chef Sam Cooper. We reckon it's a jolly good read. You can find out more about the book or order yourself a signed copy here: www.regenerative.press/book-s...
For even more tips on self sufficiency, check out Ben's tips in his garden tour here:
• See How MUCH You Can G...
And enjoy a no-obligation, completely free trial of the Garden Planner here:
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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]

Thanks for checking in and watching this latest video, which was filmed last summer in early August. Huw's got quite the setup hasn't he! Everything in the garden you see was sown, grown, harvested and weighed for his latest book, The Self-Sufficiency Garden, co-authored with chef Sam Cooper. I reckon it's a jolly good read. You can find out more about the book or order yourself a signed copy here: www.regenerative.press/book-store Cheers for watching! 😃🌱🍅

[@cephalopodx7587]

Is this video from January or was it earlier in winter in 2023? It looks like it is now, but there is no way we could grow cucumbers in the winter here in Zone 7...its only 7 degrees outside (-14 Celsius)

[@shalmaahad6915]

When was this video made? My guess is summer 2023 ?

[@thewitch69]

such a cute video you look like two kids in a candy shop lol but it proves how much food anyone can grow jsut in a back garden or front

[@stewart4142]

Thanks for this video, GrowVeg. This is the right time to watch this video as we are planning for the season also purchasing seeds.

[@LMLewis]

Thank you!

[@HuwRichards]

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome you to the garden Ben! And an honour to have fed you the sweetest tomato you have ever had! I can't wait to catch up soon!

[@looneygardener]

Crikey! Definitely have to grow that variety this year!

[@GrowVeg]

Too right Huw - such a treat to come and visit you. I was genuinely inspired by your garden - and that tomato still has me raising a smile. It's on my seed list for this season! Thanks so much for your time and look forward to catching up very soon. Cheers matey! :-)

[@KatySimpsonLive]

So inspiring and helpful. Thank you both!

[@dosquats]

You two are doing amazing. Thanks for the colab!

[@dalibofurnell]

❤

[@marilynH66]

It’s a treat to watch two gardeners, who I regularly watch for inspiration, on the same video!

[@AshWP]

Whoohoo!!! Two of my absolute favorite gardeners! Me (in first 5 seconds of the video , looking at aerial view) : Hmm, that looks like Huw’s garden! Me (for rest of the video): YAYYAYAYAYAYAYA❤😂!

[@GrowVeg]

Awesome stuff. Thanks so much for your lovely comment. It was a real treat meeting Huw in person.

[@GardenMinistry.]

Same!! Two of my faves! ❤️

[@AshWP]

@@GrowVegI am sure Huw felt the same meeting you! Can’t wait to see the video when he visits your garden & is left amazed. Love your cheerful personality and insightful videos!

[@Vittolf]

Very impressive garden indeed! My whole family knows to quiet down when mom watches "the happy garden man" - that's you, Ben! 😂

[@GrowVeg]

Oh wow, that's a really lovely nickname, thank you. Shout out to mom! :-)

[@honeyb1286]

This is exactly what we need to help families needing to find extra cash … spending less for food. This vegetable self sufficiency I have been working towards in my garden.

[@GrowVeg]

Absolutely. Huw has done a great job of showing how much can be grown - it was a real inspiration.

[@Itried20takennames]

Except for most, gardening does not save cash….if you count the land costs, water, soil, fertilizer or supplements your time, etc. it is the rare garden that can beat grocery store prices, where the huge factory farms can use the economy of scale and get good at what they do. So great for self sufficiency and as a hobby, but don’t go into gardening expecting to save much money….at best, might just break even with grocery store prices.

[@christianerardt3705]

​​​@@Itried20takennames@GrowVeg Of course, it depends on your abilities, if you have a garden or other space where you can grow your vegs and fruits. But first: Huw has always been on gardening with low costs, using stuff you have or can easily get. Second: if you think of normal cheap supermarket food, that's not the same level of freshness, vitality, organic, full of chemical fertilizer or pestizides. If you take food from a little organic gardener and compare these prices you have much more to pay for. Third: you can collect your own seeds from most plants you grow. Fourth: the taste, the pleasure of eating your own crops, the benefit of being outside in the nature, the joy you feel there ... that's not buyable 😉 ... and noone said you had to be completely self-sufficiant. Every little thing you can grow makes a difference, and you can start on a window sill or a balcony. 👍🏻💚🌱

[@honeyb1286]

@@Itried20takennames I haven’t got any land costs. I grow in my garden, increasingly from saved seeds from fruit (pruning/runners) and veg , flowers grown before … less cost there. Some compost bought in but mainly home made compost mix from sieved kitchen and garden compostables/leaf mould and worm farm/mole soil), plus a bit of wood ash. Use wood from skips for beds and wind break netting for protection. It’s been quite low cost for me … Whereas the amount of food produced and it’s estimated farm shop costs and the fitness (no gym cost) and good health achieved, very much outweighs the set up or on going cost of a fruit and veg garden. PS also makes me very happy. I can’t put a value on that! 😊…

[@psalm919]

Did Huw have any berries in there. You can get loads of goose berries and black currants just from one of each bush.

[@jodyvollmer4125]

I absolutely love love, love how all of these garden KZbinrs get together and support each other and borrow techniques

[@michelleodonovan2696]

Love that you have joined forces for this video! Love watching both your videos, a wealth of knowledge between you 😊

[@HuwRichards]

Thank you Michelle!

[@GrowVeg]

It was a real pleasure visiting Huw - lots of knowledge to tap into there. :-)

[@mford66215]

It's a collab! Both you gents are excellent content creators; excellent to see you together.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much. :-)

[@johnransom1146]

Cheers from Nova Scotia. I’ve been gardening since 1974. Back during the first oil crisis. Then as now food prices soared with fuel prices and shortages of both happened. Food security and self sufficiency were the trends of the day. It’s much easier now. Not easy but easier lol. These guys are a wealth of time tested methods

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much for watching. I really feel that growing your own has taken on a new importance recently - it can save so much and, to boot, the food is going to be far more nutritious too.

[@hoosierpioneer]

2 of my favorite Brits in one video!!!!!

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers so much! :-)

[@kaetikat]

I recently got all caught up with Grow Veg and then binge watched Huw's most recent stuff during the ice storm we had here in Oregon, US. To see you guys collaborate on KZbin is AMAZING and I absolutely love to see it. I have never been more motivated and excited for a spring before in my life - thank you both for encouraging people to get started in a garden, no matter how small.

[@GrowVeg]

That is so lovely to hear, thank you. I hope you have thawed out from that ice storm - I saw that it caused quite a bit of damage. I hope garden garden is all okay. :-)

[@igavinwood]

Thank you for showing what a kitchen garden can do, especially with food becoming more expensive, less flavoursome and seemingly rotting faster on the shop shelves. Seeing what can be achieved gives the spark to try. Now I need to find the way to make it happen in my soggy garden.

[@GrowVeg]

It was (and still is!) a hugely inspiring garden. I hope you manage to grow some great stuff this season.

[@Alepoudiitsa]

from what i saw when i harvest cucambers the secon day it is solf same with brocoli, when i used to buy them from the supermarket the were lasting forever and that made me seard too buy any more.

[@theclumsyprepper]

Raised beds are your friend. My garden is all clay and stones so I do all my growing in beds.

[@joybrown8644]

I think the key would be for people not to jump in too deep too quick. Start with a couple of pots on a deck or balcony. Learn what it takes to take care of a plant before expanding. Year by year learning a little bit more and a little bit more.

[@twpsy634]

​@@joybrown8644Absolutely right!

[@janvojtekmusic]

Two of my favourite KZbinrs in this stunningly orderly garden, what more should one want for a saturday evening :) Can't wait for the new book!

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers so much! :-)

[@looneygardener]

My two favourites

[@HuwRichards]

Thank you!!

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers so much! :-)

[@fatherofchickens7951]

I love how my favorite gardeners have all collaborated over the years ❤️

[@BusinessButlers]

Two of my favourite YT gardeners - Ben and Huw. Thanks guys. I am however a little puzzled as to when this was filmed??? My bet it was August 2023 - the UK in January 2024 is too cold for many of those summer crops and only people from Newcastle and Middlesbrough go out without a coat in January lol.

[@GrowVeg]

Haha - yes indeed - Geordies can go out in a T-shirt in all weathers! This was filmed early August - good detective work. :-)

[@killjoyredux8361]

Oh wow what a crossover! Thanks Ben.

[@HuwRichards]

Thanks for watching :)

[@darkangelsoaps8258]

And a shout out to James prigioni! I just left one of his videos

[@realneighborhoodP]

Holy cripes -- it's Huw!

[@GrowVeg]

It certainly is!

[@jackstone4291]

“Hugely Productive” ….. Huw-gely Productive …. Took me a while to get it ! Great video

[@GrowVeg]

Haha - indeed! :-)

[@jamesbowden6922]

Dream team shoot! Brilliant. Ace vid. A lot of food for thougt. No pun intended. LOL

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers James! :-)

[@heatherjolly8389]

Great collaboration from 2 awesome KZbinrs

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you! :-)

[@NicoleHoltActress]

Two of my online heroes are having a crossover! Love it :)

[@TheBereangirl]

Hey now, didn't you hear? "Mojo" Jojo Mehta said at the WEF conference in Davos Switzerland that farming and fishing are "Ecocide" and need to be outlawed. Who knew farming/gardening was so revolutionary?🤷🏻‍♀️☺️

[@carebearb2007]

2 of my favorite gardeners! how exciting🥰 Good morning from Roseburg, OR xoxoxoxo

[@GrowVeg]

Good morning - love beautiful Oregon. Happy gardening! :-)

[@lornsbrown]

My 2 fav KZbinrs… together! Christmas again! 🎉

[@GrowVeg]

That's very sweet of you to say, thanks so much. Happy gardening! :-)

[@victoriajankowski1197]

This is the cross over event we all needed in 2024!11

[@GrowVeg]

Wonderful, thanks so much! Happy gardening. :-)

[@MariThomas01]

James Prigioni has some awsome designs. I love his channel too.

[@GrowVeg]

I'm going to be checking this out also. He has got a fab channel - and he's such an energetic and friendly fellow. :-)

[@MariThomas01]

@@GrowVeg i built a modified version of one of his raised beds, but added benches to them.. mwah, chefs kiss. Most useful raised beds ive ever had. :). Thanks, for this video, im definitely ordering those honeycomb tomatoes and building a high tunnel :)

[@lotusladyogini]

HUW RICHARDS AND GROWVEG MADE A VIDEO TOGETHAAAA

[@Rajmaclart]

An absolutely lethal duo 😀

[@Dashdecent]

You, Huw and Charles Dowding are my go tos for gardening inspiration. Nice to see you meeting up.

[@GrowVeg]

That's really lovely to hear. Thank you for watching. :-)

[@SpringNotes]

From one garden prodigy to another 🌱

[@gabewinterful]

Gardener collabs are my favorite youtuber collabs ❤️

[@psalm919]

This is a real luxury. My two favorite gardeners in the same video! Haven't even watched it yet and I know it will be great. How can it not be?

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you for those kind words. Hope you enjoy the tour! :-)

[@lornapenn-chester6867]

Two great fellas together 👏

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks! :-)

[@aidanschauer1581]

This might be one of my favorite garden episodes ever. Great guest, love Huw’s channel. And to hear him reference other gardeners just makes my heart happy. Been watching all of these for years now and they’ve been so helpful and inspiring. Here’s to a healthy harvest in 2024🎉

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased you enjoyed it. Happy gardening! :-)

[@sarah_farm]

Kudos to your relentless pursuit of perfection, my friend! Your videos stand as a testament to the hard work and passion you pour into each one. And it's an honor to have you visit our channel, we can discuss more about our experiences in harvesting and building farms.

[@grannysweet]

love you two guys. please have him back whenever possible 🤣😃😉

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much. I'm sure we'll do something else together at some point. :-)

[@gee3883]

Two of my fave KZbinrs doing a colab, really great to see.

[@amysearth]

Ah, my two favourite gardeners in one video. Heaven!!

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you! :-)

[@jenniferli185]

Beautiful garden layout!❤ Thank you for sharing the names of what you are growing. Love your garden! Those tunnels are amazing!!

[@GrowVeg]

They are pretty impressive aren't they! I've taken notes for my own garden. :-)

[@tr255788]

Great video. I am so excited for the 2024 season!

[@GrowVeg]

Yey - not long to go till it begins in earnest! :-)

[@dannyridley53]

Brilliant collaboration from my favourite garden “Tubers”. Keep them coming please.

[@GrowVeg]

Will do! Thanks so much for watching. :-)

[@johnbuyers8095]

Love the shout out to James P

[@GrowEdibleInstead]

Its Huw-gly productive 😁

[@chiefredbird7315]

WOW.....if only I was at this level ...good on you!

[@GrowVeg]

I'm sure your garden is beautiful too. :-)

[@bluumz-n-veg]

Excellent video, thank you so much!

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you, appreciate you watching. :-)

[@fireflydreams1791]

So much inspiration to get out and get our hands dirty.

[@user-wf8cm6fn6y]

An absolute treat of a video. Getting even more impatient for spring now to get my new garden started. You're both such inspirations and great teachers. 😊

[@Stu-Vino]

Great video, thanks both!

[@user-lt3qd9pz6o]

Really lovely to see two enthusiastic top gardeners coming together and sharing their gardens and ideas. Thank you both very much. ❤

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching. :-)

[@my3bsfarm863]

Love watching both of you from my own acre farm in zone 6B in MA USA. I’ve learned a lot from you guys and enjoy your humor and ambitions. Thank you.

[@celticseaalchemist7667]

Hello from Cape Cod! I agree with you, 2 of my favorite KZbin gardening channels. 😊

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much guys, really appreciate. Happy gardening! :-)

[@Noniofseven]

Definitely two of my favorite gardeners! 😊

[@BoneFrossil]

I always felt like Ben should be on some sort of BBC gardening or History show.

[@AlienSKP]

Very inspiring video! I wish I had 1/10 of his talent, because I have the same space (maybe a little bit more!) but it definitely is less productive than this. I'm trying to follow your videos to learn more! What I learned after 2 years : * I need to stop procrastinating. When seeds are sprouted and ready, then I have to do it and stop telling me "I'll plant them tomorrow" * I live in zone 5b with long snowy cold winters. Hoop houses are not luxury. * potatoes in 10gal/40L pots works really well! * tomatoes in 10gal/40L is not the case, this year they'll go in soil * some veggies really need to be planted multiple times a year (courgettes!) * it is hard to plan a garden season after season. Your app looks really cool but I dont like your subscription-based model. Thanks for all your videos !

[@theclumsyprepper]

I don't think Huw is doing all this work on his own though, I believe he'd got a team of people working with him in the garden and helping with filming and editing - plus this is his full time job. I have a big garden as well, but mine will never be as productive as this one as I have to juggle other things with it - in other words don't be too hard on yourself. You can only do so much in your own, especially if you have a job to go to and doing the gardening in your spare time.

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds like you've learned so much already. :-)

[@one_field]

Two of my favorite KZbin gardeners and you teamed up adorably for this video! Thanks for sharing this visit.

[@christianerardt3705]

Nice to see my most favourite british gardeners in one video. 😉 Huw's garden is really amazing, so much abundance.

[@jorgee7470]

Two of my favorite gardeners. Huw's soon to be available book is on order. I am excitedly waiting for it to arrive. Greetings to you both from Canada 🇨🇦

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for your kind comment. I'm sure you'll love Huw's book. :-)

[@anneobrien3878]

Wonderful to see Huw joining you Ben. I follow him too!

[@BeckiePeacock]

My 2 favourite gardening KZbinrs!! Wonderful to see you both together 💕 😊

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching. Happy gardening! :-)

[@toneyjohnson8910]

Both Huw and you have such a passion for your gardens it keeps me growing Thanks

[@sonyahogan5673]

You've created my dream garden!!!❤❤

[@GrowVeg]

It is pretty inspirational isn't it!

[@k.p.1139]

Very nice! Thanks, Ben and Huw.

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers so much. :-)

[@bradlafferty]

Two of my favorite gardeners! An inspirational discussion! Thank you!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching. :-)

[@erkansaid8081]

Ben and Huw in the same video? Pinch me

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you. :-) Hope you enjoyed the tour. Happy gardening!

[@DruidJo]

I love that you are adding your personal touches. I love sunflowers and grow several varieties. Beans love to climb sunflowers.

[@iraka1905]

Ben and Huw, thank you very much for an inspiration!

[@foxy7674.]

love the channel, love the advice from you both. cheers

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers for watching. :-)

[@smile30981]

What a great video and it's amazing how much Hue packed in garden 😮 Watching your videos every Sunday morning just gets my day off to a wonderful start. Time to rearrange my plans in the Garden Planner for the 100th time LOL

[@GrowVeg]

That's really lovely to hear, thank you. So pleased you're enjoying the Garden Planner too. I hope you have a very productive growing season. :-)

[@greenwayfilms1]

awesome work

[@maxiemills6982]

Love Huw! I get my best gardening videos from UK.

[@gardeningwithkay]

Love this video, it’s so inspiring ❤❤❤

[@tweazeytweazey6462]

WOW!! my two favourite gardeners! Its great to see you both in a collaboration, its actually made my day! I'm as happy as when I first saw the family guy/simpsons crossover episode. Keep up the brilliant content guys. Thanks for all the hard work you clearly put in!

[@GrowVeg]

That's so kind of you to say - and it's a real pleasure to have you along for the tour. Happy gardening! :-)

[@keithfreeman7725]

Only thing I could possibly say against this smogasbord of goodness... Is that I rarely see gardens of this size, especially the modern shoeboxes. You have both taught me so much so thank you. 😊

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased you enjoyed the video. I think Huw said this plot is around half a standard allotment plot - so if you can get on a waiting list ofr one of those you're made up. Happy gardening! :-)

[@renel7303]

Agreed. I have a tiny urban lot. Whole thing is 66' X 106'. With a 1400 SF house, large attached garage, covered patio, driveway etc plus mature trees. I was somewhat thrilled when we lost a 45 year old tree last year. It quadrupled my ground that gets sunlight. Even the tree removal guy looked at the newly opened space and said it was perfect for tomatoes.

[@SwervinErvins]

I wish we had allotments that big here in the States. I’m on a waitlist right now for a 10’x15’ in-ground community garden plot. I have some raised beds at home but no space for the big crops like corn, sprawling winter squash or jerusalem artichokes. I’m very intrigued with Huw’s new book and I wonder how I can adapt it for Colorado’s short but hot summers and its long and bitter cold winters. Huw maybe I can be a guinea pig of your methods?

[@pascalxus]

this is so wonderful. I also totally get excited about harvesting beets. i can't wait to put them in the steamer!

[@thegardenandi2586]

Very nice seeing you both in discussion. I’ve pre-ordered the book and looking forward to opening it. This years crops are going to be great.

[@GrowVeg]

It certainly is. :-)

[@danielleahy15]

Man this video was outstanding. What Huw is doing is so important. People can do this and it isn't dreadful work or expensive. The dedication to doing this scientifically is the cherry on top. Essential viewing

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much. Huw's doing some great stuff there!

[@jodyvollmer4125]

Huw and Ben please fly to the US and help me set up my own garden!!! you are both my idols

[@GrowVeg]

That's very kind of you to say Jody. Here's to a very productive 2024 I hope. :-)

[@joybrown8644]

Wonderful! What a beautiful garden and happy soul to be in it. Love the still picture at the end. Thank you for the visit. 🙂

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers for joining us on the tour! :-)

[@crazyguide729]

That was so nice to see them together I love both there gardens need to see more people getting enthused about planting gardens without all that rotatilling, need to be able to use other vegetable plants to incorporate in the process of growing things together great job guys

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much - appreciate you joining the garden tour today. :-)

[@escapetoruralwales]

Another fantastic video Ben. I’m really enjoying these interviews of other gardeners. It must be so fun. Thanks a million for taking the time to share 👍

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers matey. Am enjoying your videos. Promise to email my thoughts soon!

[@TacticalPoppins]

This is my dream! Thank you for showing it can be done! I’m in zone 9a so my seasons would be very different but I will definitely use this as inspiration!

[@GrowVeg]

It really is an inspirational garden isn't it. Happy gardening! :-)

[@billyrowe0064]

Everything home grown is better than store bought. I always say that everyone should become self-sufficient in at least one consumable... whether that's gardening, honey as a beekeeper (myself), maple syrup, etc. It is truly rewarding to eat the fruits of your labor; there is something life altering about it. Last year I grew bell peppers, chilis, and Carolina Reapers, and grabbing a few for dinner from my own back yard (figuratively speaking; they were in pots alongside my driveway for adequate sunlight) was something special.

[@GrowVeg]

I think that's a great philosophy to have, definitely. :-)

[@troxycat]

I am just so thrilled with all these collaborations that are going on! I've followed you and many of the others for years, this makes my heart so happy! Cheers from the Pacific Northwest of the US!

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you so much - that's really lovely to hear. Love the Pacific Northwest! :-)

[@helenhawkins4054]

Wow how impressive, thanks both.

[@GrowVeg]

You're most welcome Helen - thanks for watching. :-)

[@elmonte5lim]

This is brill! I'm reminded of Geoff Hamilton's 'Ornamental Kitchen Garden', which was before it's time. This is an upgrade for the 21st century. I'm well looking forward to the book. Nice job, Huw!

[@HuwRichards]

Thank you so much!

[@elmonte5lim]

@@HuwRichards Credit where it's due, man. I'm liking your material more and more.

[@mompofelski4191]

My two favorite gardeners!!! What a treat. I am looking for Honeycomb tomatoes and Jerusalem artichokes to try. I have never seen them at our garden center. Wish me luck. Thanks again for the lovely inspirational tour.

[@GrowVeg]

Hope you manage to find them You won't be disappointed if you do! Cheers for joining us on the tour today. :-)

[@miss_pancake]

shout out to both veg masters, thanks for your tips and tricks - I've spent many a day enjoying your videos.

[@GrowVeg]

That's so lovely to hear. Happy gardening! :-)

[@donnag7095]

Once again, learn something new from your video Ben. Now I want to start a hotbed garden area for the winter. What a lovely thing this will be. Keep them coming

[@GrowVeg]

Will do, thanks for watching! :-)

[@chili.Hawaii]

So cool when people from channels I like and watch meet up

[@nnagle9224]

Your conversation allows us to learn more than a monologue. Thanks.

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased you enjoyed this video. :-)

[@Cici1791]

You can also use dried runner beans in soups and stews during the winter.

[@HuwRichards]

Yes!

[@valoriegriego5212]

Another super garden!👍 Thanks, Ben!💕

[@HonDon7]

Self-sufficiency has always been my goal although I have never pursued it as hard as I might. Seeing these two gardeners talking about it and adding their tips has made me rethink this year's garden. Thanks to them both.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching! :-)

[@tulipsmoran5197]

No where near Huw's family gardens, I've been adding to my protective gardening capabilities with a year round polycarbonate greenhouse, a 16ft polytunnel and adding one more this spring. Within each grnhse/polytunnel I grow hydroponically/grow bags and vertical stacked planters - all aimed at more production. I also maintain multiple 18x4 raised beds. All within a 24x24 growing space I have the growing equivalent of nearly 200ft grow space. I've found by implementing various grow methods I can optimize three season growing in Zone7.

[@GrowVeg]

That's really super to hear. I think having some sort of protected space really does add so many more options. :-)

[@growingthespark]

I loved the comment that wintered kale sends up “poor person’s broccoli” because I was just out snipping mine off and eating them!

[@lorrihernandez341]

What a beautiful garden! 😊

[@HearHerPlay]

Is is both amazing and inspiring to see people reach such potential as these two gentlemen have! Wow.

[@GrowVeg]

Very kind of you to say. Appreciate you joining the garden tour today. :-)

[@ukuleleflowerrock]

so lovely to see my best favorite gardeners together❤ I need to rewatch again and again! You guys are so inspiring, thx for tremendous effort as always.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much - very sweet of you to say. :-)

[@smadarshemmesh279]

Lovely to see both of you on video. You're both offering a wholesome approach to growing food with the ultimate goal of self sufficiency while working harmoniously with our surroundings. Thank You 🌼 😊🌻

[@GrowVeg]

That's very kind of you to say. Happy gardening! :-)

[@AnyKeyLady]

Great collab Ben and Huw. That garden is awesome! Two new tomato varieties (for us) this year are Honeycomb and Mountain Magic. I would love a kitchen garden like this but we also need a lawn and patio for the kids and i think a bit of grass with wildflowers is good for pollinators. I find dandelions are the first to flower. I don't dig them up but i do dead head them before they go to seed. Flowers like daisy's, and buttercups also keep their green during droughts. We didn't mow at all last year as we naturally let the grass recover after the '22 heatwave. We left the dead grass where it is to act as a mulch/ nitrogen fix and to cover the soil. You will never get a weed free garden lawn, if your neighbour is mowing and/or letting the weed seeds fly over the fence. No dig, with mulch, helps with weeds on the beds. I do find i spend less time pulling out horse/mare's tail, bind weed and other "weeds". Our main weed pressure comes from and through the neighbours garden fence. I don't think they even realise how much damage it does to their fences, especially with the ivy. We also have a lovely Dwarf Acer tree that is about 4ft tall now that i couldn't possibly move as i would be scared that it would die but it would totally open up a whole new area to extend our main veg bed into a J bed but i don't have the heart to even try moving it. It also shade a pink and white bleeding heart and does shade some of the cooler veg.

[@GrowVeg]

Love the fact you kept the grass longer. That will definitely have helped local wildlife. :-)

[@AnyKeyLady]

@@GrowVeg We never got to levelling out the lawn after the re design of the layout of the new borders, so not exactly great for croquet, with a slight mound from the middle to the back left area. We are currently moving and re purposing a no longer used sandpit as a growing space. The wood isn't that thick and we can reinforce it later but it's good 1.18cm square extra space on our shingle area on the right side that we use for growing more veg. By moving it, we can also widen our other side borders to create a more formal looking garden with a rectangle lawn. It all takes time but yes the lawn will be last to sort out. I have seen some nice wild lawn covers that doesn't use grass and can tolerate droughts more. Whilst i like formal borders i like a natural lawn, like a meadow style per se.

[@dnawormcastings]

What a great garden. So much veggies and verity of stuff well done🇳🇿❤️

[@GrowVeg]

It is a very impressive garden isn't it! :-)