The Good Life

Cultivating your patch, no matter the size

- Gillian Harvey

Many of us like the idea of growing our own fruit and veg, or even investing in a brood of chickens. But these dreams are often put off until an imagined future in which we have more time and space

However, while we may not have the sprawling acres of our dreams, we can still have a go at "micro-farming" —making use of what we have now and dipping our toes into the world of growing on a smaller scale.

Small is beautiful

While allotments or large gardens provide an ideal space to grow your own fruit and veg, those with more modest gardens needn’t be put off. In fact, it’s possible to produce your own micro-crop even if you have no garden space at all, by taking advantage of balconies, or even pots on windowsills.

“Tomatoes are a really good crop for a balcony,” says Helena Dove, head of the Kitchen Gardens at the Royal Botanic Kew Gardens, “You could even get trailing ones and use them in hanging baskets.”

“Herbs are good too, and one of the advantages is that you can have a little with every single meal. Basil tends to grow well, as does mint, parsley, and coriander.” Helena also recommends micro-greens—the seedlings of edible vegetables— which can be easily grown and are highly nutritious.

Sara McQueen, 25, a PR executive from Leeds, has been growing her own herbs for years, and has recently branched out into tomatoes, even sprouting an avocado, despite not owning any outdoor space. As well as the excitement of producing her own modest crop, Sara also feels that growing her own has been good for her mental health.

“My mum is a keen gardener and my grandfather was a farmer,” she explains. “I get this curious joy from re-potting and sorting all my plants out.”

Space-savers