Monday 27 April 2009

Grow your own

Growing my own herbs and vegetables is one of the things I look forward to most about the summer, If you've never tried growing your own before then now is the perfect time to get planting! Even if you live in a small flat on the 50th floor with no room to swing a cat you can still grow something, a pot of herbs such as parsley or basil is ideal for growing indoors on a windowsill.
Basil seedlings
Of course if you have more space then you can grow all sorts of delicious things, I would highly recommend growing tomatoes, not only are they easy to grow but they are also one of the most rewarding. There's nothing quite like a tomato picked straight from the vine still warm from the sun.
Young tomato plants
In the past I've also had a lot of success growing potatoes -it's like digging for treasure when it comes time to harvest- , beans, broccoli and leeks.

This year I'm growing basil, tomatoes, rosemary, chillies and rocket, hopefully I'll get a bumper crop!
Rosemary is easy to grow from a cutting, just put a spring in a glass of water and wait until the roots sprout.

16 comments:

James said...

We're starting to see green shoots....

I trying butternut squash too - saved the seeds from inside a shop brought one - did you do the same with the chilli?

Beth (jamandcream) said...

I am envious. I wanted to start growing some more veggies this year but we are starting an extension (sometime in the summer hopefully) and our back garden is going to be a building site. Will have to make do with my herbs this year I've had my Rosemary plant for years and it's still doing really well.

Sylvie said...

Sam, at the moment my growing is quite limited, but two of my friends and I are looking for an allotment. The waiting lists in our area are quite high though, but we're keeping our fingers crossed.

Hopie said...

Those look like great plants to have! I have lavender and thyme so far, but I'd like to plant some more herbs in my window boxes.

Sam said...

James: I used bought seeds this time but I have grown them successfully from a shop bought chilli before.

Growing squash from saved seed works really well too and it's an incredibly useful vegetable. I hope they do well for you!

Beth: At least you've got the rosemary! It's one of my favourite herbs and so easy to grow.

Sylvie: I used to have an allotment but had to give it up in the end because I moved away. They are hard work but well worth it if you have the time.

Hopie: Can we look forward to some lavender recipes? I've never really known what to do with it!

Amanda said...

Hooray! Fun post--I absolutely love the 'swing a cat' reference!

Your plants look great, too.

Pam said...

I wish I had a green thumb but I usually end up killing whatever herb I try to grow.

Karen said...

Looking good! It's so much fun to eat food from the garden you've created.

Anonymous said...

We're moving this weekend--to a great house with a big fat yard. The current owners have a large veggie garden, and we are very excited about continuing the tradition!

Joy said...

You put my little window box to shame. I can't wait to have a garden so I can grow potatoes etc!

Maggie said...

I was pleased that you put an explanation link for 'room to swing a cat'!!!
You can't beat the smell and taste of a home grown tomato.

gastroanthropologist said...

I'm so excited for you and your little seedlings! I love watching things grow - especially food for yourself and friends.

Sophie said...

Your seedlings and cuttings all look very happy and healthy!
I've decided this year is the year to grow my own too, so we've got tomatoes, courgettes, beans, radish and lettuces on the go

The Caked Crusader said...

Good luck with the growing - I have tried a pot of windowsill herbs that are now just about ready for the bin. Alas, I do not possess green fingers!

Anne said...

Hope your seedlings all grow into big crops!

I have basil in our spare room windowsill as it gets the most light, they are doubling in size daily at the moment it seems! Am also sharing some of mother-in-law's vegetable patch, though is an ongoing battle with the slugs who seem to equeally love seedlings!

Alicia Foodycat said...

It's a good time of year, isn't it? I love when all the shoots are popping up!