“Growing your own food is like printing your own money”
Ron Finley
Do you want to grow your own fruit and vegetables?
Learn how to grow your own allium veg, beans & peas, beetroot, courgettes & cucumbers, cut-and-come-again veg, herbs, potatoes, radishes and tomatoes.
Whether you have a big or small outdoors space, you can create your own little edible garden. Essentials for growing your own include soil, sun, water and patience.
By growing your own, you can reap many rewards.
Environmental benefits:
- Food is organic (no pesticides used)
- Lower your carbon footprint (no transport needed)
- No plastic packaging
- Reduces food waste (you pick veg only when you need it)
Health benefits:
- Sense of pride—nurturing a plant from seed and then harvesting the crop to eat is a very rewarding feeling
- Fresher fruit and veg are more nutritious and have more flavour
- Being outdoors keeps you active which is good for the body and mind
- Fresh air relieves stress
Economic benefits:
- Saves you money in the long-run as you buy less fruit and veg from the supermarket
How to grow your own?
Raised beds are a great choice for growing your own veg. They offer better drainage as the soil is never stepped on, meaning it is not compacted down. You will have fewer weeds. As the bed is raised it stays warmer for longer, giving you a longer growing season. However, as the soil gets warmer quicker, it dries out quicker so it requires more watering during summer months. You can create the optimal soil medium from scratch, ensuring you grow your veg in healthy soil. Raised beds are even beneficial to the gardener, you won’t strain your back since it is higher off the ground.
Vegepods have all the great benefits of a raised bed, but have less maintenance. The permeable mesh canopy cover allows light, air and rain in, while keeping pests and weeds out. This mesh also creates a micro-climate that promotes rapid growth. It has a self-watering feature where plants are kept alive with the wicking reservoirs. In cooler weather, plants may not need watering at all. The hinged lid ensures you can easily access your plants.
Crop rotation ensures you maintain soil health and helps prevent the build-up of crop-specific pests and diseases. It simply involves moving crops to different beds each year. By rotating your crops, you can achieve bigger and healthier vegetables.
Natural pest control:
The cheapest and most eco-friendly form of pest control is nature. By encouraging insects, such as ants, ladybirds and spiders, they will feed on the pests. Feed the birds to ensure they regularly visit your garden. In return, the birds will keep insects, like aphids, at manageable levels. Grow bee-friendly plants as they are vital for the pollination of plants, including your crops. By planting spring bulbs, you’ll provide nectar for insects emerging early. Copper rings can be used as a physical barrier to deter slugs and snails.
Grow your own: Cut flowers:
Growing your own doesn’t just involve food, you could grow your own cut flowers. Sweet peas make a great addition to gardens with their pretty and fragrant blooms. These fresh cut flowers can add a touch of colour to your home. By regularly picking them, you’ll ensure they continue to bloom.
“You are far less likely to waste food when you have nurtured it from a seed into a plant”
Darina Allen