Home Ec: into the swing of Spring

Why grow your own produce?

Growing your own food is easy, rewarding and inexpensive. You have full control over the growth of your vegetables, meaning that you can be guaranteed that your produce is organic and free from chemicals and pesticides.

So where to start?

Preparation is key. Vegetables need sunshine to help them grow and ripen, so choose a sunny area that isn’t too exposed to wind. Start by using a fork or rake over the soil, breaking up large clods of earth and removing large stones and weeds. This will help the seeds to take root. The best vegetables will grow in nutritious soil, so use organic waste from your compost bin that is rich in nutrients. If you don’t compost regularly, start with fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells and used teabags.

What are you going to grow?

There is a huge variety of vegetables that can be sown in spring to be ready for harvest in a few months.

Top tips

• If it is your first time planting, you might decide to stay away from root vegetables as these need more space and attention compared to lettuce, garlic and herbs.
• Watch out for slugs and don’t let the weeds take control. Regularly check and water accordingly.
• To have year-on-year success in the garden, it is important to rotate your beds. Grow something new next year and allow the soil to breathe, as otherwise it can become deficient in specific minerals needed for growth.
• Don’t be deterred by limited space. A bright kitchen window sill is an ideal location for growing herbs such as rosemary, parsley and coriander, as it provides heat and light.