I knew that my chard was growing – it always survives the bad weather but I never managed to pick any sensible amount. This year is different. I went to the allotment on Boxing day in the morning and returned with a large bag of very clean-looking chard.

It was washed and steamed within the hour, chopped, and after cooling it, put in the freezer. I’ll use it to make a spinach lasagna and spinach – filled pancakes.

I’m sure I’ll have one more harvest from it.

Next year I’ll make sure I grow it again.