Grow your own
Why not join the increasing number of people who grow their own food?
The last few years have seen a big increase in the number of people growing at least some of their own food. We're not suggesting you turn your whole garden over to fruit & veg and livestock, like on "The Good Life", but most people can find a little space to grow some fresh vegetables. Some of the benefits of growing your own include:
- fresher vegetables/fruit, meaning more of the nutrients are present
- zero food miles, so you're helping to reduce carbon output
- you know exactly what's gone on your food, so no need to worry about pesticides or chemical fertilizers
- it's a great way of getting outdoors to get some fresh air and a bit of exercise!
You could:
- Grow lettuce and tomatoes in a growbag by you back door or on a balcony
- Plant a dwarf fruit tree in a large pot by your front door
- Turn a small part (1 metre x 1 metre) of your garden over to growing veg - you'll be surprised how much produce you can get from a relatively small area
- Go the whole hog and get an allotment, which should keep a family of four in veg and fruit for at least nine months of the year - saving you money; reducing food miles; and providing a great way to get some exercise. To find out more about getting and running an allotment, visit www.nsalg.org.uk or www.allotment.org.uk