In the potting shed

Out in the potting shed today. Perfect day to be outside and sorting out garden matters. I’ve been a little lackadaisical about sowing seeds this year. I am most years and it works out, so trusting my instinct seems to be the way to go for me.

One of my aims this year is to grow our own Christmas meal. It takes planning. I’ve done it before. Much more of a challenge to grow some parts of it. I’d never be allowed to rear a goose and then serve it up. I suspect everyone would refuse to eat it, let alone dispatch it. We’d be left with an aging goose, called Charlie I imagine, wandering around the garden for the next few years, as a reminder that I really shouldn’t get carried away with some of my ideas.

No. Some parts of the meal are best left to others.

I can grow other elements of the meal. Potatoes, brussels, carrots and parsnips. Last time I substituted red currants for cranberry sauce.  I hid a bag of homegrown peas in the freezer to ensure they were not eaten before.

I also want to grow as much as I can for our Halloween meal. The past few years, I’ve almost managed it. More by accident rather than planning. This year, I shall make more of an effort. Pumpkin, sweetcorn and turnips are my ideas so far.

It’s all in the planning, if I want to do this from seed. So, what have I missed out? What would you grow ready for either meal?

Just so you know, I’ve already ruled out the suggestion of growing jelly beans for Halloween, as suggested by one member of the family. Hmm. There is always one. You can tell how seriously my family took the question.