New adventures with vegetables

I’ve been growing veggies in a very haphazard way for a few years. Well, to be honest, I think things grow in my veg patch despite my attempts at gardening and not because of them; what survives seems to have either seeded itself there, or been planted and looked after by the man who comes once a week to keep my garden under control.

But this year I’ve decided to take my vegetable garden more seriously, because …

  • I want to grow food that’s free of pesticides and artificial fertilisers so that I know exactly what I’m feeding my kids.
  • I want to try to eat food that I know is locally grown and in season (to lower my carbon footprint) and what better way to do this than to grow it myself?
  • I want my children to know where their food comes – that brocolli does not appear miraculously from the heavens washed and in a microwavable plastic bag – and not to be squeamish about snails and worms or having to wash off a bit of soil.

Being able to grow food is an important skill that most of my generation seems to have lost. Fifty years ago a lot more people grew their own fruit and veg in urban gardens. Not so long ago I wouldn’t have been able to tell you whether cucumbers grew on trees or under the ground – which is just pathetic. Regaining that knowledge is important, I think, not only to help get us back in touch with nature but also to learn to lead less wasteful lives.

You’re welcome to join me on my gardening adventures: it’s always useful to be able to learn from other people’s mistakes. And, feel free to offer advice or ideas.

Happy New Year.

Laura


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4 responses to “New adventures with vegetables”

  1. pia Avatar

    Hi Laura
    It’s so much fun growing your own! I grew up with a huge vegetable garden, so happily I had some memory of how they’re supposed to grow, and in what form… but when you’re tending your own suddenly you realise you might know what they SHOULD look like, but they very often don’t do as you desire. That’s the bit I’m learning, and every day is a learning curve. That day those tomatoes start turning red and asking to be plucked is a happy day indeed… Good luck!

    1. Laura Grant Avatar
      Laura Grant

      Hi Pia. Thanks for the encouraging words.

  2. Tracy Avatar

    Growing your own is a wonderful gift to give your kids. My littlest (now 4) was a few weeks old when I started taking her to our allotment (in the UK) in a sling. She has picked up so much by just watching me work that she can now recognise seedlings of various veggies, knows how to sow seed, plant out seedlings, harvest vegetables.

  3. Laura Grant Avatar
    Laura Grant

    My 4-year-old will not let a vegetable pass between her lips. She can spot them no matter how heavily I try to disguise them. I am hoping that getting her involved in growing them will change her attitude. My fingers are crossed.

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