I feel really ungrateful..

Athome1

Am I the only person who isn't grateful when their OH grows far too much of any particular crop? I like to eat veg when it is in season and I only freeze a small amount of extra away and I loathe eating the same veg everyday. There is only 2 of us and 2-3 large swede lasts us for months, ditto cabbage & marrow and as for french/broad and runner beans - don't get me started. Carrots, caulis and pots are a different matter though:) No pleasing me is there? I wouldn't hurt my OH's feelings for the world so am really only blowing off steam a little and I am grateful for the time and effort he puts in to providing us with fresh food; just sometimes I think if I see another bucket of something or other I'll scream:rotfl:On the plus side, family friends and neighbours are well provided for, unless they're starting to feel like I do:eek:

I_have_spoken

Yep, that's why some people think allotments etc. don't make sense just for money saving. Gluts of staple produce at exactly the same time as it's very cheap in the shops.

Can be worth growing food that is expensive, like sugar-snap peas and pink fir-apple potatoes, or where the commercial varieties are flavourless like many tomatoes

Fruittea

Poor you Athome1. I am an allotment owner and the one that also preps most of the food and cooks and prepares most meals. And sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming when there are gluts - so I know how you feel.


But also as a bit of a challenge I'm costing out how much I save by growing my own (on the grow your own dinner thread). So far I costed out last weeks veggies against Sainsbury's and found that it saved me around £20 (veg for 2).


Why not have a think about the veg you really like and ask your OH to grow those for you - just like I have spoken says. That way you could both be happy. The more exotic the better - like melons and sweet potatoes rather than the average runner bean etc. It can be fun choosing things from the catalogues together - or ask OH to grow stuff that can be dried for winter and make sure he/she does the processing.


Also I sell my gluts at the gate and have earned £56 this year as I always make sure what I sell is at least half the price of the supermarkets and neighbours know it's all fresh and organic. I keep the proceeds to buy more seed and have a treat now and then.


I do sympathise - but I still think it's great to have the fresh stuff - you just need to work together on what the OH produces.

Athome1

Selling at the gate is a great idea and I will certainly do it next year (not sure what the neighbours will think since they've been getting it free!!)

I am given a choice in what he grows, it's just the amount I'm (ungratefully) complaining about:o. We do grow some of the more unusual stuff and things like sweet potatoes are fine because they store well, but the multi coloured Swiss Chard has gone absolutely nuts (even though I did suggest just planting 3-4 seeds while we decided how it grew and how much we would want to eat).

As you say, I do know how much money we're saving and how fresh it is and honestly, I do appreciate it:)

lollipopsarah

Lucky you, if you don't want it then give it away - there must be a charity near you who would be very grateful - my son used to work at a supermarket and once a week a local church used to cook meals for the homeless and he supplied them with stuff that otherwise would have been thrown away!
I agree about enjoying food in season, but i've got a freezer drawer full of little bags of peas/beans and cabbage that will keep us going until the new year - magic.
xx

Floss

I freeze a lot of our gluts, and make jams/chutneys for Christmas gifts too, so quite a few people benefit from our allotment.

We still have some of last years french beans in the freezer along with sliced leeks, bags of chard, apple puree, stewed plums, stewed gooseberries and some blackberries.This year I have frozen chopped onions, sliced courgettes, french beans and tomatoes so far, with loads more toms, cabbage, spinach, borlottis, leeks, apples, plums and berries to come.

kerri_gt

Are there any food banks in your area that you could share some of your gluts with? Food banks generally struggle with fresh produce due to storage but you might be able to coordinate with them somehow.

One of the issues with food banks is the lack of fresh food and I'm sure some of the recipients would be really grateful for some veg / fruit.

Not sure what any guidelines are on food standards (for example I had a load of plastic food containers, our food bank also does hot meals for some, but they can't accept used containers due to health and safety....madness I know)

Mojisola

Athome1 wrote: »

Am I the only person who isn't grateful when their OH grows far too much of any particular crop?

I like to eat veg when it is in season and I only freeze a small amount of extra away and I loathe eating the same veg everyday.

Haven't you ever said this to your OH? Do you discuss with him what he's planning to grow next year and make suggestions - perhaps more soft fruit, more expensive veg like asparagus.

Gardener and cook should work together on planning next year's crops!

jacklink

its a great hobby, soup freezes