Shopping for your ‘5-a-day’ conjures up more than a few dilemmas for an Ethics Girl. Trying to source local and organic produce, weighing up the value of organic versus fair-trade, stretching the pennies over soaring food prices? Ever thought of ‘doing a Barbara Good’ and growing your own? (After all, ‘70s flares are back).

The ‘Grow Your Own’ movement is well and truly enjoying a renaissance and with the Soil Association’s Organic Fortnight around the corner (6-21 September) you should have all the impetus you need.

The benefits to growing your own are numerous. Freshness and flavour – Produce is at its most nutrient-rich at the moment of harvesting, unlike those ‘limp’ salad bags. You can grow by organic principles, improve flavour and avoid the supermarkets’ over-inflated organic prices.

Reduce food miles - The journey from window box to plate is probably the shortest you can get, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of your lunch.

Less waste - Avoid excess supermarket packaging and only harvest what you need to ensure less food is wasted.

Eat seasonally – Get back in touch with the seasons and add some joy to a miserable late winter when you can look forward to harvesting your own purple-sprouting broccoli.

Physical and mental - A study by the Horticultural Trades Association suggests that exposure to plants helps reduce stress levels, increases concentration and improves mood, recommending we all spend at least 20 minutes a day indulging.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) website includes all the basics for beginner veg growers, including how to prepare the soil, techniques, maintenance and dealing with pests and diseases. The site also includes a comprehensive calendar detailing all the crops you can sow and harvest every month. Perhaps best of all are the yummy recipe ideas including contributions from Nigel Slater and Raymond Blanc. Visit www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables.

There are no obstacles for flat-dwellers or anyone with little outdoor space. Use height if you only have little ground space such as a balcony. French beans, squashes, cucumbers and peas are all suitable for growing up fences, wigwams and trellises.

Many herbs can be grown in window-boxes or in patio pots. Planting or sowing herbs and salads closely whilst quickly harvesting young leaves for tasty salads is the most productive use of space. Lettuce, spinach, chard, Chinese leaves, rocket, coriander, dill and land cress are common choices. Hanging-baskets can be used for growing tumbling and patio tomatoes.

If you want to grow more than your small garden or window box will allow, put your name down for an allotment.

Visit the National Allotment and Leisure Garden Society at www.nsalg.org.uk for more information or contact your local council.

Garden Organic is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Visit their website to browse their catalogue for a range of organic vegetable and herb seeds, organic compost and other gardening sundries. Proceeds support the work of Garden Organic and members receive a 10% discount. www.gardenorganic.org.uk

Other suppliers selling organic seed online include:
Suttons Seeds – www.suttons.co.uk, carrying the Organic Farmers and Growers Seal of Approval Meadow Mania – www.meadowmania.co.uk, a range of seed produced to Soil Association standard.

written by Kerry Amberlaw - freelancer - previously worked for RHS & is a keen organic gardener - using the window box technique :)

Do you have your own allotment & proud of your crops this year?

Why not drop us a line. We would to hear about how you have got on this year & we would love to see any photos - just email us :)