Hello! Another new person here. I would completely agree with using it to supplement what you buy in, and also, as Nancy said, play to your strengths and the strengths of the land you have.
I have a good-sized garden, but am also a renter, so can’t plant much stuff actually in the ground. This means there are a lot of containers, but the yields are somewhat limited. I also have an allotment, but I work almost full time so I can’t spend every day tending to it. I have to take FF elements and slot them in where I can, adapting to my needs and the situation.
The hot weather in SE UK stymied a lot of things this year, too. Good job I still have fruit in the freezer from last year!
You’re right, a lot of jam is involved… Also, I really enjoyed the expression “novelty leaves”!
