At the end of a busy Bank Holiday weekend, I just wanted to share a quick update from the garden, because I can’t believe we’re already harvesting and eating our home-grown produce in May! The recent rain and sun weather combo has probably helped a lot, but I didn’t expect to be eating from our garden this early in the year! The radishes seemed to go from red stems to full, fat radishes in a matter of days, and some of the rocket and salad leaves are also big enough to pick and eat: hello salads in this hot weather!
Because these are fresh from the garden, they’re definitely best enjoyed the same day, as there are no preservatives to keep them from going soft, even in the fridge. I wanted to try them as they are before adding any extras, and I’m really glad I did. The flavour is so much fresher and more intense than shop bought equivalents, and they need very little done to them before eating. As far as I’m concerned, a wash and cut is all they need before enjoying!
I was so unprepared for the growth spurt that I’ve only just done a second sowing of the radish seeds to replace the ones we’ve eaten, so there will be a bit of a wait before the next lot are ready. Although if this pace continues, perhaps it won’t be such a long wait after all! As for the rocket and salad leaves, I should be able to cut a few at a time to eat, and the plant will recover and carry on growing – fingers crossed!
Based on this success, I can’t wait to add the carrots and beets to my plate later in the summer, and keep checking them hopefully every day, but in reality, they probably won’t be ready until July. I’m also really excited to get started on the greenhouse project (hopefully it will arrive later this week!) for our tomatoes, peppers, chillies and courgettes, and our asparagus pot. Oh, and creating a herb garden, starting with our new rosemary bush! I did try to grow it from seed, but as nothing has happened yet, I bought a young plant instead, so I can get cooking my favourite rosemary roasted potatoes.
I did ask Chris what he thought of turning the whole garden into an allotment, complete with a couple of chickens, but he didn’t sound too excited about that one… So for now I’ll be channelling my enthusiasm into the current list of projects – and there’s plenty for me to be getting on with! Look out for more updates coming soon…
Are you growing your own veg this year? I’d love to hear how you’re getting on in the comments below!
Read the start of our growing journey here
We haven’t started to grow our own veggies yet but we grow our own herbs to cook with! Growing your own stuff always makes it taste better!
Sounds good! It really does make so much difference having your own stuff 😄
I’ve planted parsley and thyme seeds but I’ve had them for some time. I’ve always wanted a herb garden and when I finally move I will create one. I only have lavender and chives and one lavender plant has grown through the pot and will be a nightmare to dig up! I want to grow radish because I remember it being stronger and these days they are very mild. I am not much of a gardener but I am planning my garden rather than the inside of my new house 😂 still house hunting atm
Good luck in finding a house! And to be honest, the radishes were so easy to grow, the main thing is to keep the soil moist so they don’t split, but otherwise, really simple!
I’ll have to plant some. Thanks ☺
I love homegrown foods – it’s one of the things I miss at university being so far from home and my allotment. Congratulations on the veg! Char // https://lunarchar.com/ xx
I can imagine! I used to visit the market at uni, but it’s still not the same.. and thank you! 😊
Me and my mom used to grow potatoes, strawberries, mint, rhubarb, raspberries, cucumbers and quite a few other things but we’ve been so busy this year we just havent got round to planting any! Maybe next year haha x
Ooh nice! I love strawberries and raspberries! Hopefully you’ll get the time next year 😊
Your garden is looking great! I’m always jealous of people who start harvesting their gardens before mine is even planted, ha ha. The upside is, only another month of waiting and then I can start planting.
Thank you! I just can’t wait for the next things now! Hope you get to plant yours soon 😄