Grow to use, or use to grow?

[Chestnut]

That’s set off some thoughts in my head!

For me, I think the biggest draw is cooking and eating the food which I have grown, and being as self-reliant as possible.
If money were no object and I never had to go to work again, I would probably spend most of my time growing, rearing and coppicing, interspersed with long walks, music and crafts.
However, if I couldn’t eat, it would seem quite pointless growing veg or raising chickens. I would still enjoy getting sunlight and fresh air, but I might have to ask to move plots every year as I think I would get more pleasure from the achievement of clearing a plot than from growing veg I couldn’t eat... Alternatively I might take to growing either flowers or XL/competition veg instead.

[1Bee]

I'm loving these responses.

I'm am among like minds and friends.

[veggiechicken]

I'm loving these responses.

I'm am among like minds and friends.

..........and Nutters.

[Jimmy]

Herbs, I grow many but wife won't have any. So most don't get used.
Jimmy

[Philthy]

I enjoy the growing far more than the sampling. I love the discovery, the challenge, the sharing of experience, and the satisfaction if I've exceeded expectation. I like the reactions of others when they themselves are not so versed with a particular plant, maybe even change preconceived ideas as to how something should look or taste. That said I'm not a diverse grower year on year, my favourite subject is always well represented , but I'll have a go at anything if it pricks my interest.

My proudest achievement to date is probably playing a big part in encouraging a much younger colleague of mine to put down his gaming console and pick up a trowel on his weekends, an activity that at one time he used to mock. He went on to convert a chunk of his mum's neglected garden into a thriving little kitchen garden, and would regularly show me photos of his progress to get my opinions. I'd advise as best I could, and further encourage with spare seeds and equipment.

As I'm a lousy cook, so the majority of my chillies are given away, which I'm happy to do as like I say, for me the culinary appeal is secondary. I do experiment a bit, but any proper cooking is always a long-winded process. For me it's a faff. I've got 'customers' and they have expectations now, so I've a standard to maintain