@Ken - Interesting technique for the carrots, thanks, might try it as an experiment. Did you just go back over and sprinkle a few seeds per dibbed sand-hole? We had ok carrots last year, I think because the soil here is quite granular when cultivated, though not much sand in it as far as I can tell. Don't know that they'll amount to much this year though... Got some earlies in the polytunnel that have done ok at least.

re: snails, yeah why not? I think you have to starve them in clean water for a few days so they empty out their digestive tracts of any nasties, but if big enough to bother with, worth a shot, I'd say.

Thanks for the sympathies, we're considering our options and cutting back on spending and investments for now. Still a way to go before all our savings and pre-inheritance from parents gets frittered away. Part of it is not finding routes to market and locals willing/able to subscribe for boxes. And cost of living shooting way past what we're realistically able to charge. But this weather... starting to see why Roger Hallam quit growing to become a full time campaigner cos if the climate's f*ed then none of this is going to be viable, organic or conventional. Well, not as a business anyway, maybe back-to-the-land subsistence communes could still manage.

@Cockneymystic - commiserations about the slugs, didn't realise you were in Stirling. Yes, blackcurrants (and gooseberries) are one of the few things that have done ok somehow over here too. Going to freeze them and make jam in the winter when there's more time.

cheers,
I