The good life

There’s never been a better time to discover your green fingers and have a go at growing your own fruit and vegetables

- Ellie Fells

In recent weeks, the Covid-19 pandemic has meant that many of us have had a lot more free time on our hands. Whether you have a dedicated outdoor space, a balcony or just some window boxes or hanging baskets, a bit of gardening is a great way to get some much-needed headspace and relaxation. However, with the weekly shop often involving long queues and with fresh fruit and vegetables in such high demand, now is the perfect time to try your hand at growing your own produce in the garden too.

Your first task will be to find a suitable location for your vegetable patch. As Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at the RHS, explains, you don’t necessarily need acres and acres of space to get started. ‘A plot of just 1x1m would still produce a good amount of vegetables,’ he insists. If that’s not possible consider putting in place some raised beds, or you could get resourceful and utilise buckets, big plant pots, empty wheelbarrows, and even an old kitchen sink! The key thing is that your vegetable patch has access to plenty of sunlight and that it’s slightly sheltered from the wind, and be sure to remove all weeds before you start planting.