More and more people are interested in growing their own vegetables to save money, but are not sure where to start.
With some help from Head Gardener Tina Hammond from Felbrigg, Norfolk, we have put together some clever tips to help you get the most out of your garden.
So whether you’re short on space, money or experience, here are the vegetables that are best picked from your own soil, as well as those that are just as good bought from the shops.
Sow
© NTPL / Stephen Robson
- Dwarf French beans are expensive to buy but really simple to grow yourself. They’re small, so are great for containers if you haven’t much space, and you can get a good couple of helpings for the average sized family from each plant
- Courgettes almost grow themselves, and produce a prolific crop. Two plants are plenty to provide the whole family enough for two meals a week for a couple of months, which will save lots of money
- Pumpkins and squash can cost a fortune and they’re great grown in your own garden - they thrive in a wide range of soils and produce a lot of crop. Once picked, they last for ages - an autumn crop could last you the whole winter
- ‘Cut and come again’ mixed salad leaves are fabulous value for money. Fresh leaves can be cut as and when required and they’re perfect for tubs, troughs or window boxes
- Strawberries are the best soft fruit to grow at home - they don't need any pruning or staking, are great in small areas, look really pretty - and most importantly, taste much better grown yourself
Splurge
© NTPL / David Levenson
- Unless eaten straight from the garden, frozen peas tend to be more nutritious as they’re usually frozen within an hour of picking. They’re also available year round this way
- Potatoes are very cheap to buy in the shops and take up quite a lot of precious space in the garden. In terms of taste, potatoes are relatively similar whether they’re from your garden or the shops
- Sweetcorn produces a huge glut of crop for around two weeks of the year, and unless you’re willing to pick off the corn and freeze it, it’s a good idea to buy these in the shops
- Carrots are prone to pests and can be time-consuming to look after. They’re also cheap enough to buy regularly without breaking the bank
- Cabbages take up a lot of space if your garden is small and also can be difficult to keep safe from pests, as well as disease
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