I love my kitchen garden. Every year it supplies us with fruit, veg and herbs. If I cost out the monetary outlay against the size and quality of the harvest, then I am sure it is worth my effort. Well worth it. The family also benefit from the educational side. Even my three year old can now tell the difference between a ladybird and a soldier beetle. Also a runner bean from a broad bean.
There are times when I can really say that some of our garden vegetables are free. This year, instead of composting the left over tomato plants, I kept them. I’d run out of people who wanted plants, so I dug out a few old tomato pots, filled them with homemade compost and potted up the tomatoes. I put them outside in an under used area of the garden, against a sunny, warm wall. I watered them with rain water from the water butts. In other words, they cost me nothing extra to grow.
Here is the first tomato to ripen. A sun gold. I picked it today. I could have given it to one of the children, but I didn’t. Well, how else would I be able to tell you how sweet and yummy it tasted! There are a lot more to ripen. Even if they don’t, I can use them for green tomato chutney. Truly a free tomato!
One of the pots has a squash plant. This self seeded from the compost. Another truly free vegetable feast on its way. There is another one in the greenhouse, which is swelling nicely. The nasturtium, at the start of this post, is also a self seeder.
Another self seeder, is a courgette plant. It is among the sweetcorn, with two of its buddies. I could have weeded them out, but there was room and they provided ground cover. Now they are providing us with extra courgettes.
The ladybird poppies are not free. I bought the seeds, but they are among the butterfly garden which came out of a packet from the front of AJ’s magazine.
All these are a reminder to me that, although there is an initial cost of the seeds at the beginning of the garden season, sometimes the garden cannot help but to give more. Gardening doesn’t have to be expensive. I have all the gardening tools and containers that I need. I am determined, this year, to save more seeds for next year. Just a little more effort, but I’m sure it is going to be satisfying to achieve.
I’d love to know how others keep the initial seed cost down each year. How do you do it? Any seed saving tips?
Great post! Love those poppies, especially!
The ladybird poppies have been a talking point with visitors this year. Definite success in the garden.
Sungolds have been my big success this year. The bigger ones are not ripe…like you I’ll be making chutney. Again!
I think mine may turn yet, but I like green tomato chutney, so I won’t be disappointed either way.
Those ladybird poppies are just beautiful. I’ve never seen them before. Thanks for sharing.
I’m hoping to save the seeds, but I’m sure they won’t turn out the same. They should self seed as well. I am kind of fascinated to see what happens.
I love poppy pictures. What is the age range of your montessori school. There is one 25 mins from here, but only goes up to 6, with only a handful of 5-6 year olds. It is also privately run. How does this compare to yours?
The school takes children from 2 to 5 years. When I spoke to the director she said that she had contemplated taking children up to six or seven years. The only trouble is that when the children reach the end of their time at the school, there is no guarantee that there will be a place available at our preferred local school. The school is privately owned and we are lucky as it is only a 10 minute car ride. I would have loved to keep them there and maybe change to year 1 at the local school. Really pleased with the time they have had at the school. Only regret I have is that I wish I had sent my eldest, as well.
I am going to look at my Montessori school next week …but I think it might be too far to travel, especially as it’s in the middle of the city…but no harm in looking eh?
It is definitely worth a look. If only to avoid that nagging “If only I had checked it out” feeling. You may find it is a better route than you thought. Good luck!