Crop Growing for Beginners: Protect The Environment & Your Wallet

As the cost of living crisis continues to escalate, food prices rise and environmental concerns skyrocket. Growing your own fruits and vegetables is not only a way to save money on your weekly shop but also a way to make a positive contribution to the environment.

This Sustainability Day, Two Wests & Elliott, gardening and greenhouse experts, have shared their beginner guide on how to get into crop growing.

Not only is growing your own fruit and vegetables great for your wallet, but it also reduces air and water pollution as no herbicides or pesticides are used. Another bonus is that home-grown food isn’t transported from source to supermarket, this reduces air pollution as planes, ships, trucks and cars are not used to bring the food to your plate.

Where do I start?

Start by jotting down a list of all the fruits, vegetables and herbs that you enjoy eating, as well as a list of the meals that you like eating, think about meals that you buy prepared like ready meals, and what vegetables they have, this may inspire you to cook your own from fresh.

Now, from your list, eliminate the fruits and vegetables less likely to thrive in the UK climate (goodbye lemons and peppers). As well as eliminating fruit such as cherries, as well as not having the correct temperature, these fruits spoil easily and won’t usually be part of your weekly recipe book so may become wasted, instead focus on favourites that are best when fresh. Such as tomatoes, onions, garlic and baby potatoes.

Grow your most expensive and most used vegetable:

Most used: Two Wests recommends sewing your most used product for cost efficiency and to prevent food wastage.

A packet of shredded lettuce at a local supermarket costs around 80p, if this is an item that is on your weekly shopping list, it could set you back around £42 a year. A great amount of money when shredded lettuce tends to spoil and turn brown a couple of days after opening, resulting in more wasted food going to landfills to release more harmful greenhouse gases. Consider growing your own lettuce, a new crop grows every 4-8 weeks.

Most expensive: Make a smart decision by growing a couple of the most expensive veg on your list.

Asparagus at your local supermarket averages at £1.80 per 250g packet, instead, consider growing your own. Although asparagus does require patience, with plants taking 2 to 3 years to grow before harvesting. Established asparagus plants can provide a bountiful, increasing yield for 10 to 15 years.

Vegetables

Even in the UK’s rainy, cold temperate climate, many vegetables can still be successfully grown by beginners. Here are a couple of vegetables that are suitable for novice gardeners:

• Lettuce: Lettuce is a fast-growing leafy green that thrives in the UK’s cooler temperatures. You can continuously sow seeds for a continuous supply.
• Onions: Onions can be grown from sets or seeds and do well in the UK. They are a versatile addition to various dishes.
• Garlic: Garlic is a low-maintenance crop that is planted in the fall and harvested in summer. It’s great for flavouring many dishes.
• Spinach: Spinach is another leafy green that thrives in cooler weather. It’s rich in iron and makes a nutritious addition to salads and cooked dishes.
• Broccoli: Broccoli can be grown as both a spring and fall crop. It’s a healthy and delicious addition to your garden.

Herbs 

If herbs such as parsley and basil are regulars on your weekly shopping list, then growing them will indeed save you some money. Herb gardening is beginner-friendly, and many herbs can flourish on a windowsill indoors. Here’s a list of 5 easy-to-grow herbs that are ideal for beginners:

• Basil: Basil is relatively easy to grow and is a staple in many cuisines. It does well in containers or the garden, requiring plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil.
• Chives: Chives are one of the easiest herbs to grow. They can be grown in the ground or containers, and they produce tasty, onion-flavoured greens.
• Parsley: Flat-leaf or curly parsley is a versatile herb that’s relatively easy to grow. It’s a great addition to salads, soups, and various dishes.
• Thyme: Thyme is a low-maintenance herb that adds wonderful flavour to many dishes. It’s drought-tolerant and does well in well-drained soil and full sun.
• Sage: Sage is another hardy herb that’s easy to grow. It’s excellent for flavouring poultry and stuffing.

When do I start?

Once you’ve selected the vegetables you want to cultivate and prepared your garden for planting, the crucial next step is timing. When you sow your seeds depends on the specific plant. For instance, onions are sown in November and ready for harvest in June, while pumpkins are sown in June for an October harvest. Regardless of the vegetable you choose, it’s vital to sow the seeds during the appropriate season to maximise your harvest.

If you are ever unsure about when to sow your seeds, simply check the back of the seed packet which should show full details or do a quick Google search to receive your answer.

Make your compost

Creating your own compost turbocharges your vegetable garden. Set up a compost bin or pile in well-drained soil. Alternate layers of kitchen scraps or grass clippings with brown leaves and straw materials. Add fruit and veggie scraps with a 3:1 carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. When it turns into dark, crumbly soil, it’s ready for your garden. Compost reduces chemical fertiliser needs and boosts crop yields.

About Two Wests & Elliott

Two Wests & Elliott is a UK-based gardening supply company that specialises in greenhouse equipment, garden accessories, and various horticultural products.

Two Wests offers a wide range of items related to greenhouse gardening, including greenhouse staging, shelving, heaters, irrigation systems, pest control solutions, and more. A reputable supplier for both amateur and professional gardeners and has been serving the gardening community for 48 years.