A simple guide for anyone wanting to grow their own food.

If you’ve found this leaflet interesting and would like more information, great advice and top tips on home growing check out the following useful websites:

Groundwork - Food GrowingInformation and tips to help anyone who wants to grow their own food.http://www.gwor.org.uk/foodgrowing

Big Lunch - Grow you ownA site started by the Eden project to promote the development of skills in growing vegetables. http://www.thebiglunch.com/ideas/grow-your-own.php

One Pot Pledge - Grow something edible in one potUK’s leading organic growing charity. Dedicated to promoting organic gardening.http://www.onepotpledge.com/

Veg Dork - Grow your own fruit, veg and herbsVeg Dork aims to provide the most comprehensive resource for those who grow their own.http://www.vegdork.com

This leaflet was produced by Abigail and Julie, as part of their voluntary placement at Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale.

Find out more about Groundwork at www.gwor.org.uk

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There are many direct and indirect benefits from growing your own grub:

CHEAPER - home grown vegetables work out •much cheaper than supermarket produce

FRESHER - your food is as fresh as possible •(straight from your pot or garden)

BETTER TASTING - food is only picked •when it’s ripe (not before)

HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT - no transportation costs •or use of harmful pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

The exercise and nutrients from home grown grub will be rewarding to your health and wellbeing. Not to mention all the delicious homemade meals and treats you can make!

Don’t be put off at the idea of having to maintain plots. Growing your own produce can be as small scale and manageable as you want it to be. For example, if you are someone who has no outside space, not a problem, several vegetables are incredibly easy to grow with very little space. Cress can be grown all year round on a piece of damp kitchen towel! Home grown food is possible for everyone.

Here are some simple steps to get you on your way to growing your own grub:

If you are new to growing vegetables pick a vegetable 1. that is easy to grow from seed. Tomatoes, peppers, radishes, lettuce and cucumber are five vegetables that are easy to grow in a container. Follow our planting guide inside this leaflet but for accuracy always refer to seed packet.

Choose your container, with holes in the bottom and 2. some gravel for drainage (this prevents the soil from becoming water logged).

Buy some good seed compost (full of goodness it helps 3. the plant to grow bigger – a worthwhile investment).

Ensure you have a nice sunny spot for the container. 4.

Carefully water the seeds (never over water as the seeds 5. can become starved of oxygen)

Once the seedlings emerge, they can be gently 6. separated and located to a pot of their own or even outside (if you have this type of space – also ensure any danger of frost has passed).

Always ensure the soil/compost is moist, so the 7. compost never dries out. If outside ensure the area around the plant is free of weeds and pests (slugs, snails etc). Just wait to reap the rewards!

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