Growing Christmas lunch

[Sara]

Yup, we're using the dreaded 'C' word – Christmas is only three months away! We'd love to know whether you're planning to grow any veg for your Christmas dinner.

Whether it's container-spuds kept in a greenhouse, clamp-stored carrots or just a few Brussels sprouts we want to hear which tasty home-grown crops will appear on your plate (and impress your family!) during the big day.



Your answers may be edited and featured in GYO's December issue.

[Creemteez]

Carrots and Parsnips will be home-grown but as my Sprouts have been reduced to lace doilies by caterpillars, I'll be having to buy them in

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

Carrots, Parsnips, Kale, possibly sprouts if they recover adequately from the caterpillars. Also saving a butternut squash to make something for Christmas dinner - perhaps a spicy soup for a starter or an interesting mash. Might have some potatoes if I can be bothered to do some in containers. No peas, though as they did badly for me this year. Frozen runners, broad beans or french beans could be on the menu though.

The stuffing balls will have home grown sage in them.

Could probably do pudding as well if my family will make do with blackberry crumble - but I expect they'll want something more luxurious and co$tly

[Bren In Pots]

We'll have Kale, carrots growing in a bucket, parsnips, leeks, sprouts but no potatoes.

[Alison]

Bit too late to be planning! For dinner I'll be serving sprouts, carrots, swede, parsnips and spuds (roasties and PFA). Stuffing will have my onions, garlic, dried herbs and foraged chestnuts. At teatime there will be stored longkeeping toms, winter salad leaves and frozen raspberries in through trifle. Probably homemade chutneys and pickles too.

[Mikey]

Well if you are a fan of the Wogan then you'll know only too well that you should have started your sprouts off quite some time ago. I can't contribute to this thread further however on account of the blatant use of the C word. It is quite uncalled for, I haven't even put my beds to bed yet.

On the other hand I have good intentions of having fresh tomatoes, onions for my bread sauce, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, runner beans (prepped and frozen), kale I love that iron rich flavour, and pumpkin soup. The only thing not on plate will be the locally sourced Bronzed Turkey, how they bronze it I'm not sure.............. probably use a tanning booth.

[Farmer_Gyles]

We're loving the fresh veg just a little bit too much - we might not have any left for Christmas ....

[solway cropper]

I'll have cabbage, carrots, leeks, parsnips and swedes on the plot and a freezer full of other stuff.

No turkey but, living by the Solway, we do get the odd goose dropped off by one of the wildfowlers.

It's grand up north!

[zazen999]

I like to meal plan, but not 3 months in advance.

[Bill HH]

Being a pensioner I will be having a tin of spam with two chicken drumsticks either side to substitute for turkey. I shall make gruel from potatoe peelings (I will have to sell the actual spuds to pay for the electric to power my Christmas lights for one hour) I also have one sausage in the freezer which I shall stuff up the spams rear end and I have been saving my tea bags from the Derby and Joan club teas to make a decent cuppa. My employer Mr Scrooge has allowed me to take a lump of coal from the office scuttle.
You dont believe that do you...

My sprouts have already been eaten by madame butterflys children but I expect I shall be able to find carrots, parsnips leeks and sage, I have nine bags of Christmas new potatoes (various strains) so I should be able to get a pot full of those. Oh and I have home made celery soup if required.
We are toying with having a huge rib of beef instead of a Turkey, last years was pretty tasteless and I much prefer beef.

[Fleurisa]

I think we'll being going to the local Indian restaurant again. Might take them some chillies

[Vegpatchkid]

Hopefully our Christmas harvest for the table will include potatoes, sprouts and cabbage.
Possibly some beetroot, if we haven't eaten it all by then.
Some of this years garlic will make an appearance.
Plenty of herbs and chillies in the freezer might get a look in on the table too.
Maybe our tomatoes will turn red one day soon, or we might be harvesting them at Christmas...

[Peppermint]

The sprout plants have survived the onslaught of the cabbage whites, so I'm hopeful that we will have these. I have potatoes in storage so I'll be doing roasted and boiled potatoes. I have field beans and peas in the freezer. I grew parsnips in a deep raised bed this year and they are doing well. I need to remember not to use them all before Christmas! The leeks are in but need to grow quite a bit more. If nothing else, I should have plenty of kale!

[veggiechicken]

I'm going to have a bash at growing beans on toast this year

[Doive]

My sprouts have been decimated by caterpillars this year, absolutely devoured despite regular picking of the little beasties. They are still setting sprouts though, which is great news. Four bags of spuds sitting growing nicely. Lots of carrots and parsnips, and kale with tree cabbage as backup. Shouldn't be stuck.