As I stepped into the kitchen garden this weekend it was like being transported to a different world. A place of minor miracles everywhere you look. I still can’t get my head around the fact that I can grow food. Food we eat and enjoy. Food that started by me fumbling with packets of seeds and crossing my fingers that my efforts would not be in vain.
I munched my way around the beds pulling out the occasional weed but otherwise marvelling at what nature has produced for us to eat.
The trouble is now that a trip to the bottom of garden can turn into a personal pig out. The bassets and I were true gluttons as far as these fresh and sweet carrots. It’s the first time ever that I’ve grown carrots that look like carrots should and taste better than anything I’ve ever had before. It struck me how even the organic carrots I buy from the supermarket are by comparison a poor imitation of a carrot. There’ll be no turning back now.
Flushed with success in the carrot bed I admit it’s hard not to feel crestfallen about the tomatoes. I know I was too late getting them underway and the summer weather not conducive to tomato cropping but I still feel a twinge of disappointment. But I have hope. There are signs of tomatoes forming. I celebrated this new milestone and crossed my fingers again.
It can be tricky gardening with your fingers crossed but I’m convinced its a key factor to successful growing. I’ve never grown bortollini beans or turnips before. They are making a welcome appearance and I’m already starting to think of the culinary possibilities.
I know exactly what I’ll do with these butternut squashes that have just started to spring from the creeping leaves.
The courgettes continue to be prolific and the brocolli is springing up daily, as are the beetroots. The cabbages and cauliflowers are soldiering on despite the onslaught from the cabbage white butterflies.
Another surprise has been a few blackberries sprouting on our thornless bush. They will make a small feast but I have high hopes for better crops next year.
There is no doubt I have so much to learn about growing your own food but I am encouraged by my efforts this year. We have a wide variety of vegetables to pick from and I can see what needs to be done differently next year to things in the ground earlier and to protect the brassicas from the pesky butterflies. For now I’m going to keep munching my way the rich pickings we’ve been lucky to harvest this year.