Over the last ten years, there has been an increase in families integrating elements of ‘The Good Life’- way of living into their own lives. This is largely attributed to a growing awareness of environmental factors and an increase in living costs, as well as an increase in awareness of genetically modified foods and the desire to know more about what we are putting into our bodies and the desire for organic home-grown foods.
Growing your vegetables might seem like a difficult thing to do but we have put together a guide to easy veg growing for beginners to help you start. Vegetables can be grown in pots or beds and they are easier than you think! Before you know it, you will be tucking into your very own home-grown beautiful tasting salads and vegetables with a serving of accomplishment to boot.
Growing Lettuce
This leafy veg makes a delicious base for a healthy salad or adds crunch to a sandwich. Lettuce can be sown throughout most of the year. It can be sown directly into the ground, but slugs may cause an issue so make provision to protect the crop. It should take around a month to produce a crop. You should follow the instructions for the type of lettuce you have bought in terms of spacing when you plant it. They can be started in pots and planted later.
Growing Runner Beans
A perfect accompaniment for winter roast dinners, these are one of the easiest to grow and are rich in magnesium, potassium and calcium. These should be sown in April or May and can be started with one bean per pot or straight into the ground. Don’t allow them to dry out and ensure there is adequate climbing provision for them to grow. Trim them once they reach the top of the canes. Runner beans do not need much care, but you will need to pick the beans daily to encourage a good supply, don’t let the beans get too big or they won’t taste great. French beans can also be grown in the same manner.
Growing Spring Onions
Spring onions boast anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and make a great addition to a salad or stir-fry. These can be sown directly into the soil then thinned out. Slugs can be problematic for Spring onions, but they are otherwise simply to grow.
Growing Carrots
High in Vitamin A and Vitamin B, carrots are highly versatile and a must for grow-your-own. A child-friendly vegetable to grow- they seem to love pulling them out of the ground. They should be sown in rows and thinned out to 2 inches apart. They take about 4 months to get to harvest point. Beetroot is another simple vegetable to grow and use the same method as for carrots.
Growing Potatoes
Rich in carbohydrate, another highly versatile and easy to grow vegetable is the humble potato. Mash, roast, bake or boil, your home-grown ‘taters will taste incredible. Potatoes like well-drained soil so raised beds are perfect for them. Plant your seed potato about three inches deep into the soil and a foot apart. It is ideal to plant them about 1-2 weeks after your last frost. As the plants start to grow, pile up soil around them, this is called ‘hilling’. You can harvest the potatoes by removing the sides of the beds.
Did you know the Vitis Siebel produces grapes which are known to make truly beautiful wines, well worth growing.