We had nearly the same experience as you: our land here in Tuscany was full of bushes and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) early this year. In May we planted 50 tomatoes, zucchini, egg plants, cauliflowers, onions, corn, bush beans, broccoli, cabbages, pumpkins, cucumbers and now we are invaded of delicious vegetables.
The 100 potatoes were unfortunately all eaten by the crested porcupine (Hystrix).