Our expert is on a mission to get us eating what we grow! Here’s how to make a start
WORDS: SUSIE WHITE; WWW.SUSIE-WHITE.CO.UK, @COTTAGEGARDENER. PHOTOGRAPHS: SUSIE WHITE; GRAPHICS: SHUTTERSTOCK
When I sow seeds with my grandchildren, I’m reminded of just how amazing it is to garden. As they push each dried pea into pots of compost, they know that these will sprout into young plants. It teaches them where their food comes from, we all enjoy being outside and it brings us close together. Later on we will dig potatoes, eat strawberries straight from the plant and harvest those peas.
At any age gardening is beneficial. Numerous studies have shown that it helps us mentally as well as physically. Gardening keeps you active and uses all your body because it involves so many movements. Whether bending, lifting, reaching or walking, I think of my time in the garden as a bit like yoga.
The health effects of producing our own veg are not only in the eating. When I’m outside I notice the small things in nature from ladybirds to bees, wrens and thrushes, tiny spiders and beetles. Growing vegetables organically brings me in touch with nature and also with other people. I have surplus to give to friends, seeds to swap and food to share.
It saves money too, especially on crops such as garlic or fresh salad leaves. There are plenty of kinds of veg that you can grow in small spaces so whatever size your garden you can grow vegetables for health and wellbeing.
Staple Veg
Potatoes, onions, leeks and beans. These are some of the staples that can be used to make oven bakes, stews and a whole variety of dishes. Add some carrots and garlic, and you have a hearty soup. If you’re new to gardening, these make a good start as they are all tried and tested basics.
Potatoes will sprout quickly now it’s warm. Just be wary of any late frosts once the foliage is up so cover the tops with fleece if necessary.
One of the most reliable and high-yielding varieties is ‘Charlotte’ and, being known as a ‘Second Early’, this is one that you can plant now.
It’s not too late to plant onions using sets (tiny bulbs) bought from the garden centre. The pointed tip should show just above the soil surface in open ground. Make sure they are kept well weeded, since onions don’t like competition from other plants.
We plant garlic each year in November for harvesting in July, when the bulbs are laid
