#571 Expert Guidance for Managing Caterpillars and Overwintering Lemongrass

The Veg Grower Podcast

In the latest episode of the Veg Grower Podcast, host Richard delves into a variety of gardening topics, offering practical advice and updates from his home garden. The episode also features a culinary segment with Chef Scott, who shares a recipe for Vada Pav, an Indian street food dish. This blog post will break down the key themes and tips discussed in the episode, providing actionable advice for gardening enthusiasts and home cooks alike.

Managing Caterpillars on Brassicas

Caterpillars can be a significant pest for brassicas, especially during warmer days in winter. Richard shares several strategies to manage these pests effectively:

Regular Inspections and Manual Removal

• Frequent Checks: Regularly inspect your brassicas for signs of caterpillars or eggs. Early detection is crucial.
• Manual Removal: Remove any caterpillars or eggs you find by hand. Richard feeds them to his chickens, which enjoy the treat.

Encouraging Beneficial Wildlife

• Birds: Attract birds like thrushes and small birds to your garden. They are natural predators of caterpillars.
• Predatory Wasps: Consider introducing predatory wasps, which can help control caterpillar populations.

Using Netting

• Fine Mesh Netting: Use fine mesh netting to cover your brassicas. This prevents cabbage white butterflies from laying eggs on your plants.
• Avoiding Bird Entanglement: Be cautious with netting to ensure birds do not get caught.

Planting Sacrificial Plants

• Nasturtiums: Plant nasturtiums as a trap crop. They attract caterpillars away from your brassicas and are also edible and visually appealing.

Applying Nematodes

• Nematodes: Use nematodes, tiny parasitic worms, to control caterpillar populations. They require reapplication and can be costly but are effective.

Overwintering Lemongrass

Richard also addresses a listener’s question about overwintering lemongrass. Here are his tips:

• Indoor Relocation: Move lemongrass pots indoors to a sunny spot to protect them from frost.
• Mulching: If planted in the ground, apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to insulate the roots.
• Watering: Reduce watering during winter to prevent root rot, but ensure the soil remains slightly moist.

Home Garden Updates

Richard shares updates from his home garden, highlighting his proactive approach to garden management:

Winter Crops

• Planting: Richard has planted sprouts, kale, and cabbages to sustain him through the winter months.
• Garden Bed Preparation: He has removed some fennel and other plants to make room for these winter crops.

Summer Raspberries

• Overgrowth Management: Richard plans to thin out his summer raspberry plants to prevent overgrowth and improve grass growth underneath.
• Variety Experimentation: He is considering experimenting with different raspberry varieties better suited for home gardening.

Tomatoes

• Blight Management: Richard grows a mix of blight-resistant and non-blight-resistant tomato varieties. He emphasizes the importance of preventing the spread of blight between different gardening locations.

Year-Round Gardening

• Continuous Gardening: Richard believes in growing food year-round and rejects the notion of packing up for winter. He encourages listeners to adopt this philosophy.

Wildlife Considerations

• Balancing Tidiness and Wildlife: While Richard identifies as an edible gardener, he acknowledges the importance of allowing some natural elements to remain in the garden for the benefit of local wildlife.

Culinary Segment: Vada Pav Recipe by Chef Scott

Chef Scott shares a delicious recipe for Vada Pav, a popular Indian street food made with spiced potato patties. Here’s a brief overview of the recipe:

Ingredients

• Potatoes
• Green chilies
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Mustard seeds
• Curry leaves
• Turmeric
• Salt
• Gram flour (besan)
• Water
• Bread rolls

Instructions

1. Prepare the Potato Filling: Boil and mash the potatoes. Sauté green chilies, ginger, garlic, mustard seeds, and curry leaves. Add turmeric and salt, then mix in the mashed potatoes.
2. Make the Batter: Mix gram flour with water to form a thick batter.
3. Form Patties: Shape the potato mixture into patties, dip them in the batter, and deep-fry until golden brown.
4. Assemble the Vada Pav: Place the fried patties in bread rolls and serve with chutneys.

Conclusion

This episode of the Veg Grow Up Podcast offers a wealth of practical advice for gardeners and home cooks. Richard’s insights into managing caterpillars, overwintering lemongrass, and maintaining a productive home garden are invaluable for anyone looking to grow their own food. Chef Scott’s Vada Pav recipe adds a delicious culinary dimension, showcasing the connection between gardening and cooking with fresh produce.

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By following these tips and engaging with the Veg Grow Up Podcast community, you can enhance your gardening skills and enjoy the rewards of homegrown produce. Happy gardening and cooking!