[TheWhiteRabbit]

I think it depends on your expectations as to whether it's a good year or not!

This is our first year too and so far we've successfully grown peas, mange tout, carrots, broad beans, potatoes, onions, garlic, cauliflowers, cabbages, sprouting broccoli, courgettes and lettuce (most of that from seed). Ok some haven't been awesome and we've lost a few bits to bolting but we're happy. We've been able to pick plenty and learnt a load and put things in place to make it easier next year.

It's early days on the toms, celery, swede and parsnips...how exciting!!

[BabbyAnn]

Is it a bad year?  Nah! 

We've all gone through it at some stage and you have to look at the things that did well and feel proud of yourself - you grew that so stick your chest out and give a big smile  (I still grin to myself when I harvest something that looks amazing)  From the disasters, see it as a challenge to be met and find out how to improve on them - this is how we learn   

[3759allen]

thanks for all the comments. think i may just be trying to run before i can crawl.

agreeing with the plan idea. as i've not long had the garden and it was a state when i got it, i didn't have time to plan properly or any knowledge to be honest. think i'll be entertaining myself over Christmas with plans, lists and a diary.

think i was just disappointed after all the hard work and hours of watering just to have the brassicas eaten to pieces by caterpillars. even with netting they just flew threw the small holes. another lesson learnt for next year.

onwards and upwards next year, and stop moping over things i think.

[BobE]

I use a garden wire mesh(fencing mesh) around my brussel sprouts to stop the birds.  As for the butterflies, well every evening I go through them and literally rub off the eggs.  Its sounds a bit OCD but it does work.
I only grow 5 plants and so its not an arduous task.  Cabbages and carrots I grow in micromesh tunnels.
This pic is about three weeks old, you can see the wire and the tunnels.