You'll find that there's something definitely delightful about planting a small seedling, seeing it evolve into a healthy plant and then harvesting the produce to be able to feed your family. The sense of achievement and fulfillment probably will leave you beaming, and hopefully those around you, too. Sure, you've got to put in a certain amount of work, however the returns are worthwhile - you realize you'll be outside in the fresh air, you'll be getting some exercise, you will be mastering something new as well as taking pleasure in food that has been produced just like you want it to be.
But if the whole thought of growing your own is of interest but would seem a little time consuming, it need not be. When you have your ground well prepared, get yourself a number of seeds and you will shortly be taking advantage of scrumptious home-grown fruit and veg, as well as pondering why you did not get started years ago.
Beginning steps
Presuming you are already lucky enough to possess your own plot, be it a council-run allotment or simply a plant area within your garden, then apart from having a few basic bits of equipment, all you'll need to get things rolling is good old-fashioned hard work - and some favorable weather would not go amiss, either!
But before you decide to go rushing off with fork in hand, it is essential to have a planting strategy, even if it's only provisional, particularly when you're a new comer to this 'growing your own' game. You will need to have an notion of what you wish to grow (be certain to go for stuff you know family members shall eat) and the whats and wherefores of how to do it. Keep it straight forward at the start and when you've tasted success, move ahead to even more ambitious crops and add fruit and veg you prefer growing rather than simply sticking to the more regular types. Adhere to guidelines on the back of the seed packet for special growing conditions.
Perfect plot
You may need to prepare the ground before you start growing. If you put in the groundwork now, you will unquestionably enjoy the benefits, so as you get down to digging, think about the enjoyment you'll get when you are tucking into your own fresh produce. The most important job is to get rid of the weeds as they'll be fighting your fruit and veg for water, nutrients and space. It's best to dig them out by hand, getting as much of the root out as possible, as using a rotavator simply chops up the roots. For annual weeds, this doesn't cause a problem, but for perennial weeds like dandelions, each piece of root can make a new plant, so instead of getting rid of them, you're just making more!
Once you've dug the plot over and got rid of as many weeds as possible, it's worth adding some well-rotted compost to improve the condition of the soil - this will not only boost the structure but give your seeds and plants a head start. It's also a good idea to apply a fertiliser to increase the nutrient content for your hungry soon-to-be veggies. For organic gardeners, incorporate a balanced general fertiliser such as blood, fish and bones about two weeks before you sow any seeds, and for traditionalists, try inorganic Growmore.
The final step to seed-ready soil is raking so you get a fine, crumbly tilth (top layer of soil). Remove any stones and you're all set. Happy sowing and growing!
But if the whole thought of growing your own is of interest but would seem a little time consuming, it need not be. When you have your ground well prepared, get yourself a number of seeds and you will shortly be taking advantage of scrumptious home-grown fruit and veg, as well as pondering why you did not get started years ago.
Beginning steps
Presuming you are already lucky enough to possess your own plot, be it a council-run allotment or simply a plant area within your garden, then apart from having a few basic bits of equipment, all you'll need to get things rolling is good old-fashioned hard work - and some favorable weather would not go amiss, either!
But before you decide to go rushing off with fork in hand, it is essential to have a planting strategy, even if it's only provisional, particularly when you're a new comer to this 'growing your own' game. You will need to have an notion of what you wish to grow (be certain to go for stuff you know family members shall eat) and the whats and wherefores of how to do it. Keep it straight forward at the start and when you've tasted success, move ahead to even more ambitious crops and add fruit and veg you prefer growing rather than simply sticking to the more regular types. Adhere to guidelines on the back of the seed packet for special growing conditions.
Perfect plot
You may need to prepare the ground before you start growing. If you put in the groundwork now, you will unquestionably enjoy the benefits, so as you get down to digging, think about the enjoyment you'll get when you are tucking into your own fresh produce. The most important job is to get rid of the weeds as they'll be fighting your fruit and veg for water, nutrients and space. It's best to dig them out by hand, getting as much of the root out as possible, as using a rotavator simply chops up the roots. For annual weeds, this doesn't cause a problem, but for perennial weeds like dandelions, each piece of root can make a new plant, so instead of getting rid of them, you're just making more!
Once you've dug the plot over and got rid of as many weeds as possible, it's worth adding some well-rotted compost to improve the condition of the soil - this will not only boost the structure but give your seeds and plants a head start. It's also a good idea to apply a fertiliser to increase the nutrient content for your hungry soon-to-be veggies. For organic gardeners, incorporate a balanced general fertiliser such as blood, fish and bones about two weeks before you sow any seeds, and for traditionalists, try inorganic Growmore.
The final step to seed-ready soil is raking so you get a fine, crumbly tilth (top layer of soil). Remove any stones and you're all set. Happy sowing and growing!
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