Veg gardening is twinned with household economy for me
Thanks to:
My Gran - who had a smallholding with exciting scary places and ramshackle sheds, and a pig you could scratch who smelt of porridge
My Nanna - whose frugality was legendary. She taught me how to cut the end of the loaf sideways
My Dad - who sent me up the sproingly ladder to pick the plums at the top of the tree, and taught me how to make bonfires and leafmould
My Ma - a progressive cook and farmer's daughter, who sent my sister and me into the garden to pick food for the next meal, turned us into passable scullery maids, and encouraged us to cook
Mr Crawford - who helped my mum in the garden and taught me how to sow, plant and tend
Boredom - after gorging on Shewell-Cooper, Hellyer and Percy Thrower indoors, I'd make my way to the garden and spend hours learning and experimenting
