Our own vegetables

We're not gardeners. I used to grow flowers in pots and they did well, but 10 years ago, we changed our back garden to a decking, and we wanted to keep it sleek and modern. So all the pots were got rid of.

cucumber and gherkin plants

In the last few years, a friend tried to make gardeners of us, giving us tools, plants, but nothing worked. We were just not into it.
But this summer was different. We got the free little seed pots that Lidl were giving away when you spent €40 or more. They were so cute I couldn't resist! Some didn't work out (lamb's lettuce, rocket). But with the wonderful summer we had, a few things thrived,  like the mixed lettuce and the parsley. What gave us joy in particular were the cucumbers and gherkins - it was wonderful to see them grow, spread their leaves, extend their tendrils, offer their flowers to the bees (bumble bees mostly) and then to see the fruit expanding day by day! It wasn't a huge crop - you can't really talk of a harvest, but it was exciting all the same. So far, one good cucumber, four gherkins, with a few more potentials, if only the weather can brighten up again. It's been so much fun. We'll have to try again next year!

our own mixed lettuce, parsley and cucumber!

2 gherkins and 1 cucumber

Pickling gherkins was a lot easier than we thought (well, I just watched!). We'll know in a week or so if they are good. We tasted them before pickling and they were very tasty already.  A lot of effort just for one jar? It was all worth it!