Finally it all makes sense...

[robkb]

Yep, after months of back-breaking work (well, it was to me - I'm not used to it!) this weekend I had some kind of payback. I harvested the first of several rows of spuds (Pentland Javelin), a row of radishes, lots of 'cut & come again' lettuce, the over-wintering onions and the first few peas (loads more to come by the looks of it).

I'm so chuffed :D - I got the allotment last autumn and have been working as much as time and other committments allow, for what seemed like little reward (other than being outdoors in all weathers and re-connecting with the seasons) - until now! And everything tasted so much fresher and much fuller-flavoured than supermarket stuff. Both my kids helped me with harvest, and they both stuffed themselves with it on Saturday evening - no small achievement, I can tell you! Now I know this may be old hat to you seasoned allotmenteers out there, but for me it's really exciting - a plate full of veg that I've grown myself, and it tasted delicious!  ;D ;D

Sorry, but I just had to get that off my chest! :-[

Cheers,
Rob ;)

[robkb]

[katynewbie]

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

Don't be sorry Rob, that's what it's all about! Well done you, great feeling isn't it?

;)

[MikeB]

Great isn't it, well done.

[robkb]

Not half! And even better, it poured with rain this morning as well, so everything's been watered now ;)

Cheers,
Rob ;)

[busy_lizzie]

Congrats on your harvest Rob!  It never fails to be exciting when you can start picking your produce. I can't imagine anybody ever being complacent about it - it is a magic time of year!   :) busy_lizzie

[jonny211]

Congratulations Rob, I started my little half plot in February and have dug in rain and snow to clear it. I've just had my first new potatoes (swift), peas, strawberries and calabrese. Lots more to come and far tastier than anything Mr. Sainsburys could flog.

[Mrs Ava]

Yippee!  That feeling never grows old!  Every winter the same...cold....muddy....digging and grafting....then the rewards start to come.  For me, seeing the kids tucking in is reward enough! Congratulations Rob.!

[robkb]

 For me, seeing the kids tucking in is reward enough! Congratulations Rob.!

Completely agree with that EJ - my eldest loves her veg so no surprise that she enjoyed everything, but my youngest is in a 'McDonalds is best' phase at the moment, and even she told me how tasty everything was! That's about the highest praise I can get! ;D

Cheers,
Rob ;)

[Curryandchips]

This reminds me why we have tastebuds ...

[Trevor Holloway]

Took over our "virgin" plot in January.
Last night we shared a jacket new potato (90 seconds in the microwave).
Told her to stop buying potatos too - that felt good.

She is now coveting the neighbours plot too !

[supersprout]

It never stops being exciting, well done Rob, you deserve to be well chuffed :D

[robkb]

Thanks everyone, it's nice to  be able to talk about this with people who don't look at me like I'm a loon! ("Whaddya mean you grew 'em yerself, we can get 'em cheaper in Tescos :( - and they're not all covered in muck..." >:()

Anyway, now I'm just hoping the rest of my stuff is as good as these first pickings.

Cheers,
Rob ;)

[DenBee]

Supper on Saturday at our house consisted of: boiled new potatoes, lightly sautéed mangetout, beetroot and shallots roasted in olive oil flavoured with green garlic - and some meat or other   ;) .  All of it grown and harvested by my own fair hands.

And all of it delicious.  First year doing this, and such a great feeling.  :D