Even those lettuces that are so tough you can pick leaves off them and they grow back. All gone.

The exception was my potatoes which have thrived.

They reside in eight special growing bags that were bought through the internet at great expense and painstakingly filled from large sacks of compost.

When we went to Donegal I proudly told my son-in-law of my endeavours. He said, "Oh aye. I’m growing potatoes, too."

He showed me. He hadn't bothered with growing bags obtained through the internet at great expense.

He had simply slit open the tops of the compost sacks and planted his spuds.

Anyway, my bags are sprouting impressive foliage that is already as tall as the sacks themselves and is becoming a small forest.

Pretty soon, I’ll be able to climb one of the plants and look for a giant and a pot of gold.

But when will the potatoes be ready for picking?

One website I looked at said when the foliage flowers. But a local expert told me they won’t be ready until autumn. I don’t want to start digging my potatoes too early but will it really be another three months before I get a crop of spuds?

When I started, Maria said, "I don't know why you bother when you can go to the shop and buy a lettuce for half the price and none of the trouble."

She’s right. My investment has cost loads more than a visit to Sainsbury’s and I am hoping to find salvation through my potatoes.

But can somebody tell me when?