Is it me?

[Annpan]

Regarding your chips Annpan, it's still a bit early for newly dug potatoes to make nice chips or roast.
Rule of thumb is that they don't have enough starch until after September or so.

Fantastic, they were really bad chips... and desiree is my prefered chip variety and Maris Piper is my prefered Roast potato.
Great to know they will improve with age (I had suspected something like that)

Above all though revel in the convenience that you can run out to the garden and grab something to go with the meal, I don't think I'm ever going to get over the ultimate in convenience food!

Yes, exactly. I love adding things to the 'don't need to buy from the shops' list


As I say it is my first real year , I am learning all the time.

[MrsD'ville mkII]

I haven't had quite the same thing, but I have found I don't use or like one or two things as much as I expected to, so I won't bother with those next year. As you say, it's all a learning experience. My big lesson for next year is plant well a p a r t !

[Peggy Sue]

Oh I'm so naughty, all my rows are crammed in- hate ot think I'd waste an inch... but ofcourse it's a nightmare to weed and harvest

[MrsD'ville mkII]

That's the problem. There are strawbs I just can't reach and dense undergrowth among the tomatoes that could conceal David Attenborough, but I know what you mean about not wanting to waste space!

[QuizMaster]

I'm on year 4, though last year and the year before I did very little.
The early spuds were to die for. Lightly steamed and served with just a hint of butter. *drool* I can still taste them, though they're gone a few weeks.
The main spuds are also enjoyable, though they haven't quite got that delectable "new" taste.
The peas are being treated as garden candy by the daughters (aged 4 and 2.5). Very few make it into the house, but what harm: it's better than the junk they could be eating.
The rainbow chard is a revelation. Like spinach but with more body, and a subtly different taste. I hope it is as "perpetual" as the name promises.
The onions are like everyone says: just onions. Great to have though.
The courgettes are kind of tasteless. I suppose we have been letting them get too big. But they're not bad all the same. Any suggestions for a tasty variety?
The carrotts are a bit tasteless too. And not a very rich colour. Maybe we're missing something in the soil that they need. And of course they're mad shapes. I didn't dig down enough when loosening the soil.

Indoors, the chillies are pure fire. Unfortunately we can't go crazy, what with young mouths to feed.