Big Crops in Small Places

I got to thinking earlier about everyone being able to grow vegetables - wherever they live. Not everyone is blessed with a back garden (let alone acres of land). Some people have a balcony, some dont even have that.

So, how can everyone grow their own food?

Well, thankfully, there are plenty of plants, fruit and vegetables that are simple to grow. All you need is a container, some compost and some seeds.

Window boxes are a great idea - they should perch happily on a windowsill, and can accommodate baby carrots, or spring onions, herbs - of any variety, dwarf pea varieties, peppers or chillis, Tumbling tomatoes, little gem lettuce or cut and come again type lettuces.

If you can’t stretch to a window box, then any container will do as long as it is at least 3 inches deep, is waterproof but has drainage holes and is clean. Ice cream tubs with holes punched through the bottom, large food tins, spare tyres, an old bucket! Use your imagination.

Compost can be picked up in supermarkets these days, in relatively small quantities. This can be helpful for those limited with space.

Tools - well, you dont really need any - except for a watering can! A spoon can be used for digging and dibbing!

Seeds - again - they can be picked up cheaply in supermarkets, or, perhaps you have a friend who grows vegetables that will share some.

Then, warmth, light, and water is all you need to grow your own.

Hanging baskets of tomatoes or dripping with strawberries, pots of lettuce, onions, carrots, peppers, aubergine, peas, broad beans - delicious!

The children can each have a pot of their own to grow what they choose.

What if you can’t even stretch to that? Well, cress seeds grown on damp kitchen roll will grow anywhere

Give it a go!