Episode 665: Fruit Thinning, Thorny Gooseberries & Summer Slaw Magic
About this episode
Richard discusses summer gardening tasks including fruit thinning and managing gooseberries.
Welcome to Episode 665 of the Veg Grower Podcast. This week Richard shares a classic mix of summer gardening jobs — fruit thinning, sweetcorn planting, slug control, greenhouse tidying — plus our Seed of the Month, a refreshing cabbage slaw recipe, and a look at July’s Book of the Month. It’s been warm and humid on the allotment, but thanks to straw mulch and careful watering, everything is thriving. Let’s dive into what’s been happening this week. Down the Allotment The allotment has been busy with seasonal tasks, starting with fruit thinning after the June drop. Richard explains why apples and pears shed fruit naturally, and why thinning further helps produce bigger, tastier fruit and prevents biennial bearing. It’s a job that feels counter‑intuitive, but the long-term benefits are worth it. Gooseberries are ready, but harvesting them has become nearly impossible due to thorns and invading brambles. Richard shares his difficult decision to dig up the existing bushes and replant with thornless varieties to make the area more productive and easier to maintain. Elsewhere on the plot: Straw mulch continues to reduce watering needs Leeks are being held back until cooler, wetter…
More episodes of The Veg Grower Podcast
- Episode 667- Mid‑July in the Garden: Caterpillars, Leeks and Soft Fruit
- Episode 666: Grapevine Pruning, Potato Problems & A New Vegetable Garden Begins
- Episode 664: Heatwave Gardening – Early Mornings, Water Wisdom & Edible Ponds
- Episode 663- Gardeners’ World Live 2026: Inspiring Designs, Mushroom Magic & Growing for Every Space
- Episode 662 — A Week of Growth: Garlic Harvest, Garden Tidying & Feeding Our Plants
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