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VIDEO: Growing gains
Want to save cash at the checkouts? Grow your own! Vicki Robinson reports
WE all know we're supposed to eat five port ions of fruit and veg a day.
But with supermarket prices hitting shoppers in the pocket, that is proving more difficult than ever.
Now, though, it seems people are taking matters into their own hands – by turning to growing their own.
People attracted by the low cost and health benefits of producing their own fruit and vegetables are rediscovering their green fingers.
At one Leeds garden centre – Hayes Garden World in Whinmoor – turnover has increased 25 per cent in recent months, almost entirely down to the newly-energised grow- your-own market.
VIDEO GUIDE TO PLANTING YOUR OWN HERBS - CLICK HERE.
VIDEO GUIDE TO PLANTING YOUR OWN CABBAGES - CLICK HERE.
Manager Jon Dixon said: "Vegetable patches are really enjoying a major renaissance. I think people are realising the amount of money they can save by growing their own produce.
"Our increase in turnover is almost solely down to first-time gardeners – or people that haven't had an interest in growing their own produce for years as they have not needed to save money. We're seeing them invest in the tools, seeds, fertiliser and other products needed to grow your own."
He said people could begin growing their own with as little as 10 to invest – which would buy them a starter kit of a pot, compost and some plants.
If they have enough space, by the end of summer when most of the crop will be ready for harvesting, people can easily save around 10 a week – a huge return on a relatively small initial investment.
Jon said: "It is very easy to get started, the plants are already growing so they just need transferring to a pot or a patch.
"It is really simple, which is attractive to people who might not have grown before.
"It's not expensive. For instance, you can buy 12 cabbage plants for 2.99. That will be 12 organic cabbages for less than 3 – you couldn't get that deal from anywhere else and all you need to put in is bit of care and attention."
He said the centre's new customers included some unlikely gardeners – like young professionals with only balconies or backyards for their vegetable plots.
He said: "Traditionally, we've always had an older clientele, but this year we're seeing the younger generation and it's mainly vegetables they want to know how to grow.
"A lot of them don't have a lot of outside space, but you can grow lots of things in pots. Herbs are a really good thing to start with. They don't take up much room and they grow quickly so you can start using them very soon.
"Salad leaves grow really well, as do tomatoes if you have a sunny spot.
"Or you could cut a growbag in half and plant potatoes in one and onions in the other. You'd be surprised at how many you can produce."
As well as saving cash, there are major health benefits to growing your own.
"Digging in the garden will keep you fit – and your yield can be entirely organic."
Jon added: "You can control exactly what goes on to your fruit and veg . You also know it came from your doorstep – so the food miles are zero."
Never grown your own before? Log on to the YEP website to watch our step-by-step video.
'It doesn't take long, a few minutes a day, but the more you put in, the more you get out'
TEACHER Clare Johnson first began planting a few fruits and vegetables five years ago as a hobby to share with her daughter, Sophie, now eight.
But this year she has turned over a large part of her garden to growing her own in an effort to shave money off the shopping bill.
Clare, who lives in Farsley, Leeds, said: "We're a family of four so the fruit and veg bill – especially when you want your kids to eat well – can be high.
"They are also organic, which if you were to buy them in the supermarket, would cost you a small fortune."
Clare started out growing just strawberries and peas but this year also hopes to be enjoying tomatoes, potatoes, onions, shallots, sweetcorn, cucumbers, raspberries, blackberries and blackcurrants.
Clare, 36, who is married to Tony, also 36, said: "We really enjoy it. The kids like helping in the garden and watching things grow. We don't tend to have many strawberries to bring in the house because Finn (three) is always eating them straight off the plants!
"Before it was just a hobby really but because of the recession, I've definitely increased the numbers of things I've planted.
"It doesn't take long, a few minutes a day and a little longer at weekends, but the more you put in the more you get out of it, .
"I can't wait for the summer and autumn so we can see what we've grown and start eating it."
What to plant right now
A lot of garden centres are selling off strawberry plants on the cheap as the season for planting out is coming to an end. Shop around to pick them up from as little as 50p, but get moving.
May and June is a good time to plant French beans as they enjoy warmed up soil.
Sow broadbeans now and you can enjoy a bounty in around 14 weeks time.
You can grow chilli plants indoors on a sunny windowsill. Sow seeds directly into a little fertilised soil and you should see growth within around a fortnight. It should then be another 14 weeks before you see the first fruits of your labour. You can buy dozens of different chilli plants and seeds online.
Save money on salads by planting out lettuces and rocket plants. These grow well – and fast – in pots. Plant as soon as the risk of frost has gone and you should have a plentiful supply to see you through the summer.
Now is a good time to sow pumpkins. They need a moist soil but are otherwise unfussy.
Sow spinach every few weeks. Landlords will have to register
A MAJOR new package of measures will protect tenants living in private rented accommodation, says Housing Minister Margaret Beckett.
Under the new plan every private landlord – from large developers to individuals with buy-to-let mortgages – must be listed on a national register.
Those then found to break the code of conduct, perhaps by intimidating tenants or failing to carry out essential repairs, could be struck off.
All private sector letting agents will also be closely regulated.
For more information go to www. communities.gov.uk/newsroom.
A stream of great ideas
A LEEDS ad agency found that shower storming was the way forward when it came to improving creativity.
Home, which operates from offices in Roundhay, also reported a leap in productivity among staff that took regular shower breaks during the working day.
The eight week study was conducted for Mira Showers.
"Being away from the ringing phones in the office was great for mulling over ideas," said Sam Walsh, who took part in the trial.
"I even came up with a great new TV ad idea for one of our clients while I was in there."
Pet aid for families forced to rent
HELP is at hand for pet owners hit by the recession.
Lets with Pets is a new campaign from Dogs Trust aimed at encouraging landlords to let new tenants keep animals at home.
The UK's largest dog welfare charity hopes the move will reduce the number of pets abandoned when owners are forced to move into rented accommodation.
All 17 Dogs Trust rehoming centres have witnessed a nationwide influx of pets being handed over by owners forced to move house.
For more information go to www.letswith pets.org.uk.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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