Veg growing for beginners, with Amy Chapman

In this episode of the BBC Gardeners World Magazine Podcast, Catherine Mansley talks with Amy Chapman about her journey into gardening and the many lessons she's learned about growing food. Amy started her gardening journey four years ago, motivated by her love for food and a desire to care for her cottage's garden in Wales. She discusses the layout of her garden, which includes raised beds, a greenhouse, and an area for her ducks, which help control pests naturally.

Amy emphasizes the importance of soil health in gardening. She recounts her initial mistake of using poor quality topsoil in raised beds and explains her efforts to correct this, discussing methods like the semi-hugelkultur approach that combines logs and organic matter to create nutrient-rich soil. She highlights the significance of having the right mindset when dealing with pests—viewing them as part of the ecosystem and helping gardeners to appreciate the balance of nature.

Ducks have become an integral part of Amy's gardening routine, providing pest control without destroying her plants, and she offers insights on how to care for ducks. The discussion also covers easy vegetables for beginners, such as radishes and salad greens, while emphasizing the need to grow plants that excite them. Amy provides practical advice on growing techniques, such as starting seeds and creating cold frames.

As Amy prepares to move to a larger farm in Devon, she shares her anticipation for experimenting with different growing methods and the opportunity to create a thriving ecosystem. The episode concludes with her encouragement for beginner gardeners to start simple, be patient, and approach gardening as a series of experiments rather than stressing over perfection.