Varying degrees of success

Mrs Jackson's garden was a strictly flowers zone only, apart from a rhubarb patch and some mint. She could not be doing with planting edibles. I am beginning to understand why. We planted enough to feed an army back in March and have had results ranging from the brilliant to the pathetic, and I have no idea why.

For example, we got a fantastic batch of potatoes from throwing a few seeders into a couple of growbags (Maris Piper and Javelin, should you be keen to know). And they were delicious.

And yet this is what happened with the carrots.

The phone is there for scale. What an embarrassment. People on Facebook were kind: they suggested that carrots are extremely difficult to grow, or that micro-veg are trendy and selling at a premium. But we all know the truth. And I have no idea what we did wrong.

The tomatoes have proved a similar no- show so far. And we tried so hard!

Flowers are proving easier.

The peonies finally bloomed, and it's only taken three years.

They are next to this, which I did not plant and I have no idea what it is. But we like it.

And the cornflowers sown as seeds direct into the ground in April are lovely.

Also, I have to say the herbs have been exceptional (in spite of the best efforts of the neighbourhood cat - who seems to be staying away thanks to our heady combo of coffee grounds, lemon slices and prickly stems to put her off).

Not to be deterred, we've planted beans this week. (Get a look at this rustic homemade frame!).

Two glorious days of sunshine this week, followed by the usual Berwick fog and now it's raining. Yes, I know I pleaded for rain throughout March and April. That was then. This is now and it's supposed to be summer. And I am stuck at home for the duration, so it feels cruel.