<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/garden-producesep17.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-4527" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/garden-producesep17-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>As autumn streams in upon us and my thoughts turn to making adjustments in the garden it is always satisfying to bring into the house a selection of produce from the vegetable plot.

The beetroot has been magnificent and I've already pickled enough to fill three kilner jars which should last until next summer. The onions (red and white) although not massive have produced sufficient for me to store away in a pair of Jane's tights (they keep dry and don't sprout). I will use the onions over the next 10 months. After a late start the runner beans are overwhelming and I cannot eat enough so must put some out at the top of the drive (free to a "good" home). The courgettes are doing well and I keep picking them so they don't get too large. Finally, for the time being the carrots are good, if a little small, however I need to do better next year. Still to come is the celeriac (experimental) and the parsnips.

Lessons learned: Sow fewer beetroot and runner beans; more carrots; and be careful in my choice of courgette variety - I like the striped kind. I shall also plant garlic this autumn because I've started using it in my cooking.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/garden-dinnersep17.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-4528" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/garden-dinnersep17-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>Then there's the meal I produce from all this "stuff": Roasted beetroot; carrots and runners with spiralized courgette and salmon flavoured with rosemary (from the garden) on a bed of pesto mash (my King Edward potatoes.

I'm trying to lose a little weight (78Kgs) and I know it's all healthy food but there's just too much...

Off to pick more runner beans and set up my stall at the top of the drive.