Tales from River Cottage
10 episodes · 2006
This is the story that details Hugh's three years as a smallholder in Dorset.
1Getting Started
Hugh looks back on his early days at river cottage offering advice to other as to how to start their own adventures into small holding.
2A Garden of Delights
From putting in his first organic veg beds, running the gauntlet of pests, to harvesting bumper crops from his polytunnel. He also offer tips on how to triumph at the local Horticultural show.
3Joy of Pigs
Hugh reminisces about his adventures with his pigs - from buying his first pig to training his breeding sow to hunt for truffles.
4Friends and Neighbours
Good friends and helpful neighbours are an essential part of the rural idyll. Hugh recalls his initiation into the rural Dorset community.
5Business and Barter
Hugh believes that to achieve a thoroughly good living, you need to be ready to barter and heckle. He charts the rise of his own little enterprise, from the local farmers market to the tough streets of London.
6Chicken and Eggs
The difference between a vegetable garden and a smallholding is livestock, and every smallholder needs chickens. Hugh recalls his poultry learning curve.
7Local Crafts and Customs
Hugh tells us about some of the local customs he learned.
8The River and the Sea
Hugh explains how the river and sea offer the free food - from crabs and cuttlefish to eels and pike.
9The Wild Larder
Hugh explains why wild food should be a part of the smallholder's diet.
10Land and Livestockfinale
Hugh decides to continue as a small farmer - but how far should he go?