How to grow your own vegetables and herbs
In this article, I will share some tips and advice on how to grow your own vegetables and herbs, from choosing the right crops and containers, to preparing the soil and watering the plants. Whether you want to grow salad leaves, tomatoes, beetroot, chillies or herbs, you will find some easy-to-grow options that are suitable for beginners.
Choose a sheltered, sunny spot
Most vegetables and herbs need at least six hours of sunlight a day to thrive, so choose a spot that gets plenty of sun exposure. However, some crops, such as salad leaves and mint, can tolerate partial shade and may bolt (run to seed) in full sun. Avoid windy or frost-prone areas that can damage your plants.
Prepare the soil or potting mix
Good soil is essential for healthy plants, so make sure you enrich it with well-rotted compost or manure before planting. You can also add some organic fertilizer or worm castings for extra nutrients. If you are growing in pots or containers, use a good quality peat-free potting mix that drains well and retains moisture.
Choose the right crops and containers
The best crops to grow are the ones you like to eat, but also consider how easy they are to grow and how much space they need. Some crops, such as salad leaves, radishes, beetroot and bush tomatoes, are quick and easy to grow from seed and don’t need much space or maintenance. Others, such as potatoes, carrots, courgettes and beans, need more room and care, but can yield a lot of produce.
You can grow most vegetables and herbs in pots or containers, as long as they are big enough for the roots to spread and have drainage holes at the bottom. You can also use recycled materials, such as buckets, cans or bottles, as long as you clean them well and make some holes for drainage. For herbs, you can use smaller pots or even a windowsill planter.
Sow the seeds or plant the seedlings
You can start most crops from seed by sowing them directly into the soil or potting mix, following the instructions on the packet. Make sure you sow them at the right depth and spacing, and keep them moist until they germinate. You can also buy young plants or seedlings from a nursery or garden centre and transplant them into your pots or garden.
Some crops, such as salad leaves and herbs, can be harvested on a cut-and-come-again basis, meaning you can pick some leaves as you need them and let them regrow. Others, such as tomatoes, chillies and beans, will produce fruits over a long period of time. And some crops, such as potatoes, beetroot and carrots, will be ready to harvest when they reach a certain size.
Water and feed your plants regularly
Watering is one of the most important tasks for growing your own vegetables and herbs. You need to water your plants regularly and deeply, especially during hot or dry weather. Check the soil or potting mix with your finger: if it feels dry an inch below the surface, it’s time to water. Avoid watering the leaves or flowers, as this can cause fungal diseases or rot.
You also need to feed your plants with some organic fertilizer every few weeks to boost their growth and yield. You can use liquid seaweed, fish emulsion or compost tea for this purpose. Alternatively, you can add some slow-release fertilizer pellets or granules to the soil or potting mix when planting.
Protect your plants from pests and diseases
One of the challenges of growing your own vegetables and herbs is dealing with pests and diseases that can harm your plants. Some common pests include slugs, snails, aphids, caterpillars and birds. Some common diseases include powdery mildew, blight, rust and rot.
To prevent pests and diseases from attacking your plants, you can use some physical barriers, such as copper tape, netting or cloches. You can also attract beneficial insects, such as ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies, by planting flowers like marigolds, lavender or calendula near your crops. These insects will help control pests like aphids by eating them.
