We Grow Our OwnWhat we grow, what we cook, what we eat …

Time for a little bit of a catch up I think, since I have been a bit stingy with blog updates recently!

You may remember that recently I was lucky enough to win the competition run by Wahaca, the Mexican restaurant chain opened by Thomasina Miers, to be their ‘Chilli Guru!’

I’ve just had a very tiring, but such a fabulous weekend.

On Saturday I went to the West Dean Chilli Fiesta with Chris Jagger (@VolcanoChilli) and his wife Rosie.

As you know, I like my chillies. This year I’ve decided not only to grow twice the amount of varieties this year (19), but also to come over all Heston and experiment with different ways of growing them.

I had a fantastic start to my weekend when I received an email from those lovely people at Wahaca to say that I had won their competition to be their resident ‘Chilli Guru!’

I’m looking forward to showing how anyone can grow chillies, no matter whether you have a sunny windowsill, or a garden the size of a small county. I’ll also be showing how versatile chillies can be, and how each variety of chilli is different in terms of flavour and heat, and can be added to all different types of food, even chocolate!

Watch this space for further details …

The lottie took a back seat this week, as I had to pot on the numerous chilli plants from the 19 different varieties of chillies that I’m growing this year.

I was worried earlier this year that the majority of the crop was going to fail, as they took such a long time to get going compared to last year. It must have been the long winter/cold spring, as they have most definitely cranked into life. It is a good job, as I’m now reaching the end of last year’s crop which were either dried, pickled or frozen, as I had more chillies than I knew what to do with at that point.

I always get a little annoyed that after a few weeks watering, the labels for all my chillies have either faded or smudged, although thankfully I can still tell which one is which.

Today has been a bit frustrating, as I need to clear the right hand side of the allotment, so I can start making beds for the rest of my seedlings to go into.

However, today has been typical Bank Holiday weekend weather, and I think we have had four seasons in one day!

Now that the sun is out, and the days are warmer, everyone wants to get out in the garden, and exercise those green fingers that have been in hibernation for far too long!

The start of a beautiful veg and flower garden is making sure that you give your seeds the best possible start.

www.freshlyforked.com has a growing range of practical kitchen and garden tools and stylish accessories. Our friends at Freshly Forked have kindly agreed that three lucky winners of this competition can choose between the ultimate potting shed kit and the ultimate planting out kit to help you get your seeds get off to a flying start this spring.

To win one of these prizes, just answer the following question by emailing your name, address and answer to sal...@freshlyforked.com by the closing date of 16.4.10. If you are lucky enough to have won, we will email you on 19.04.10 to ask you to pick your prize.

…and the question is …