By Kerry Law, March 2009
You’ve saved money on your outlay, now by knowing the right crops to grow at the right time you will soon be reaping the fiscal rewards along with a tasty harvest.
Long-term investments
The canny veg-lover, just like the stock market trader, will be resistant to trends and limited discounts in the shops. There are some crops that are consistently pricey year in, year out compared to what you can grow at home, and this is the food worth making room for.
Asparagus
Contrary to popular belief, asparagus is not that difficult to grow but requires patience.
Planting and care:
Plant seeds in modules in February and transplant in June, or buy a dormant plant (crown) in March or April and plant straight into the ground.
Fork over a well-prepared area and dig a trench 30cm wide and 20cm deep. Work in well-rotted manure, cover with 5cm of the excavated soil and make a 10cm-high ridge down the centre of the trench.
Place the crowns on top spacing them 30-45cm apart.
Fill the trench leaving the bud tips just visible. Give them plenty of water and mulch with well-rotted manure.
Keep the beds weed-free.
Harvesting:
In the third year you can harvest your spears from mid-April. A well-kept plant will provide nine to 12 spears per season for up to 20 years.
Price comparison:
Tesco: Asparagus spears (250g) = £1.99
Thompson & Morgan: Asparagus ‘Martha Washington’ seed = £2.69 (50 seeds)
Purple or white sprouting broccoli
Regular Calabrese may be dropping in price this year but the tender sprouting forms are often more expensive. The sprouting types are hardy and grown over winter for harvesting in spring.
Planting and care:
Sow thinly in April-May outdoors in seed beds 15cm apart.
Water well in dry weather and conserve soil moisture with a mulch.
Occasional feeding over summer will improve results.
Harvesting:
The plants produce delicious shoots to be picked frequently from late winter to early spring.
Price comparison:
Asda: Extra Special Purple Sprouting Broccoli (200g) = £1.67 Suttons Seeds: Purple or White Sprouting Broccoli (350 seeds) = £1.45
Globe Artichoke
Another ‘luxury’ vegetable that can be inexpensively grown at home, and they are also feted for their ornamental properties producing a striking 6ft plant and an attractive addition to the flower garden.
Planting and care:
Sow seed outdoors in March and April, or grow in pots of compost.
When large enough to handle (usually when they have at least five true leaves) transplant to their permanent position allowing 60-90cm between plants.
They need little maintenance once established but ensure they are well-fed with well-rotted manure and fertiliser in spring.
Harvesting:
Cut the flower buds from July to October when they are large enough and before they produce flowers. hey will produce their best heads in the second year and become more prolific over time.
Buy:
Garden Organic: Artichoke ‘Green Globe’ or ‘Purple Globe’ seed = £1.59 for 20 seeds
Quick returns
Herbs and salad leaves can be expensive in the shops but are among some of the easiest crops to grow. They require little maintenance and minimal space – perfect if outdoor areas are reduced to a sunny window sill.
Rocket
Rocket is easy to grow and will be ready in around four weeks after planting. Grow in pots on a balcony or patio – rocket can even grow in the cracks between paving stones!
Planting and care:
Sow from April to August in well-drained soil.
Thin out when the seedlings are large enough.
Harvesting:
Rocket is best eaten when the leaves are young.
Remove flower buds that appears to prolong cropping.
Price comparison:
Sainsbury’s: Organic Wild Rocket salad bag (100g) = £1.79 Garden Organic: Organic Wild Rocket (240 seeds) = £1.73
Coriander
Planting and care:
Sow in early spring in light, well-drained soil.
Does well over a warm, dry summer.
Harvesting:
Leaves are ready for harvest as soon as the plants reach 10cm high.
Price comparison:
Asda: Coriander, bunch (per 100g) = 97.5p Garden Organic: Coriander, organic (95 seeds) = £1.20
Mint
Planting and care:
Sow from late winter to early summer in compost indoors. Ensure compost is moist but not wet and that the seed is not covered. Seal in a plastic bag until germination which takes around one to two weeks.
Price comparison:
Asda: Cut Mint (per 100g) = £2.72 Suttons Seeds: Mint (1,500 seeds) = £1.45
written by Kerry Amberlaw
Kerry is a freelancer - previously worked for RHS & is a keen organic gardener - using the window box technique :)
Want to read more?
If you haven't already done so, check out Kerry's 1st article where she runs through the preparations needed to start thinking about Growing Your Own Veg
