Food
Green fingers
What
Searching for local and seasonal produce that doesn’t cost the earth? Look no further than your own garden, patio or window box! Growing your own fruit, vegetables and herbs is simple, cheap and rewarding, not to mention planet-friendly.
Benefits
For people
Not only does growing your own food get you outside and active, it also means you can control exactly what goes into your produce, ensuring that it’s packaging, pesticide and additive free. Better for you and better for the planet: win win!
Home-grown tastes better. Growing your own produce means your food is guaranteed to be fresh and full of natural flavour. But don’t stop there: preserving your produce is great fun, means you can enjoy the benefits for longer, and cuts down on food waste.
Growing your own food is a great way to shave a few pounds off your food bill. The more tactical about what you choose to grow, the more you’ll save. For example, a flourishing herb garden means no more expensive bags of supermarket. Salads and soft fruits, like strawberries and raspberries, are also a relatively pricey item you can easily grow at home.
For planet
The global food supply chain is a long and complicated one. Processing, packaging, storing and transporting food adds up to a huge amount of energy. In fact, food production is responsible for 25% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
By just growing a small portion of your own fruit, veg and herbs, you can slash those emissions and take better care of the planet. If you’re buying in compost, make sure to source peat-free composts, otherwise all the carbon savings from your garden might be wiped out!
How
You can grow your own food anywhere. Gardens are great, but if you don’t have one, window boxes, containers and allotments are just as good. Here are some top tips to get you started:
- Start simple (and seasonal): check out the Royal Horticultural Society’s month-to-month guide for when to sow, grow, and harvest your fruit and veg.
- Simple guides: Check out @marfskitchengarden on instagram for quick practical tips of growing food in small spaces.
- Pick the right spot: gardener and writer Sarah Raven suggests a sunny, sheltered spot, clear of any over-hanging trees or sun-blocking buildings.
- Find your local garden centre: as well as supplying you with seeds and equipment, your local garden centre is a great place to pick up knowledge and advice from gardening experts.
- Space savvy: If you’re really short on space, try a large pot or window-box - you'll be amazed by how much you can grow. BBC has some great tips on growing veg on a window sill.
- Skill up: growing food takes seconds to learn and a lifetime to master. There are so many resources available to help you grow into a fully fledged master gardener - from online permaculture courses to an two-day intensive course in edible garden design!
- Regrow: really step up your waste-reduction game and try growing food from scraps!
References
