by Dina Psichogiopoulos

Created on: July 27, 2010

Growing your own herbs, fruits and vegetables not only will help with your budget but also provide you with a beautiful interest and hobby that will keep you fit and connect you with nature. How many times have we got to the end of the week and find that fresh produce we bought is ready for the compost heap? By growing your own, you harvest what you need to cook and prepare. Now, that is fresh.

Consider your available garden plot and start off with a small garden area that is manageable. Begin your gardening venture with easy to grow herbs, fruits and vegetables that do not require a lot of work or specific growing conditions. Be mindful of the time you have available to tend to your garden and remember to plant in the season.

Having a successful crop is the key to keep you interested and involved in your garden. Visit your nursery and garden centres and get information and knowledge of what herbs, fruits and vegetables are to be planted in your area and that time of the year. Make a list of vegetables you can grow easily that you like to eat, herbs that you use in your cooking recipes and fruits that interest you.

Select seedling that are ready for planting as this will save you time establishing your garden and producing edible crops sooner. Greens such as silverbeet, chicory, endives and lettuce are good leafy vegetables and do not demand a lot of work to keep producing.

If you have tasted your own home grown potatoes you would know what a fresh potatoe tastes like. If you have the room in your garden try some as they are simple and grow effortless. They will even grow in a large tub.

Broadbeans, green sting beans and peas are wonderful croppers and excess produce can be packed away in the freezer. Broccolini is easy to grow and can be cooked up as a warm salad or added to stir frys.

Summer fruit and vegetables are such a delight to have available in your own backyard. Tomatoes, zuchinis, capsicums, strawberries  and cucumbers are all available and easy to grow. Cherry tomatoes are a prolific producer and very hardy plant as well as sweet and tasty.

Mint, basil, corriander, rosemary, sage are herbs which look great in any garden and are effortless to grow. If you use these in your cooking, plant them in your garden or in pots and have them ready on hand to use. Some herbs can be used to make your own tea, such as mint or sage tea. Fresh herbs from your garden are full of flavor and you will find that they have a far superior aroma than the supermarket produce.

There are many varieties of fruit trees and many are now available for compact gardens. Spend some time looking at what is available in your nursery. Take a walk in your neighborhood and see what grows well. Then select a fruit tree that you like.

Gardening information is readily available and community gardens are gaining popularity. Read up what you can about gardening and about the plants you like. Learn about soils, composting and companion planting and keep your plants healthy without pesticides.

Garden grown produce is full of flavor and freshness and growing your own is extremely satisfying. If you consider and compare the prices of organic produce you will be well ahead in your budget. Also the time and cost to drive to the nearest shop can be a considerable advantage if you have something you can use from your garden. There is nothing like taking a walk into your garden rather than rushing off to the supermarket or greengrocer, and harvesting your evening meal or salad, or picking some sweet aromatic herb for that final touch. And, you have done it yourself.

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