Grow your own vegetables, eat fresh, and cut out the middle man

Years ago, our fore fathers and more recently our families and neighbors all grew their own vegetables. They enjoyed the satisfaction of walking outside in the fresh air to pick their vegetables, knowing they had grown it themselves. With the added knowledge, they had sprayed no chemicals over them.

When we buy our vegetables and fruit from the stores today, we really cannot be sure of where and how they were grown. Nor do we know with one hundred percent surety, if any chemicals are in the sprays, or fertilizers being used.

With the advent of properties becoming smaller all the time, it cuts down the area to grow our vegetables and herbs. Do not panic, we can still grow them in small areas, although not as many.

Whether you have a large or small yard, you can still grow your own vegetables. Start small, and dig up an area about six feet by six feet. Mix in a good all round fertilizer, add some blood and bone, and if available throw in some rotted lawn clippings.

Plant your seeds or seedlings in rows. Read the directions for planting each type of plant. You will need to decide which way the sun comes from. Most plants enjoy full sun but, for the others, plant them in front of taller plants this will give them more protection.

Plant by size; place the largest ones to the back.

Peas & Beans:

Best to grow these on a trellis of sticks, wire netting, or weld mesh. Make sure trellis is supported to hold weight of vegetables growing on them.

You can grow all types of cucumbers this way; it will prevent the cucumbers from rotting as it lays on the soil too, and will be easier to pick.

Tomatoes:

Always buy healthy young plants, preferably ones without fruit on. Plant after the last of the frosts, and fix to a strong support stick. Pick off the side shoots as it grows to put the goodness back into the plant. Pinch out the top centre when it has several bunches of flowers. This will encourage fruit growth.

You could plant a few herbs in the front of these veggies, as they are easy to grow.

Patios, around Park homes or on- site vans

Living in a park home or on site van does not mean you cannot grow a few vegetables. It will depend on the rules of each Caravan park. Some have small garden areas, while others allow you to have several planter pots.

Therefore, you can have a small pot with a variety of herbs for cooking. In a larger pot, you could grow tomatoes, or cucumbers, or peas and beans.

To do this you will need:

You need a small trellis, a large pot, newspapers, good potting mix, and if possible grab some rotting lawn clippings. Place the torn newspapers in the base of pot, and then some lawn clippings, potting mix then put trellis in the centre.

Now plant a tomato plant on either side. As it grows, tie it up onto the frame. Be careful when the tomatoes grow to tie more supports. Use the same principle for growing the other vegetables.

You may choose to grow fruit trees using this same idea, simply prune off the tree limbs that grow outwards and keep the others tied onto the trellis. This will make it easier to pick the fruit, as you can see them from both sides of the trellis.

Herbs will also enjoy growing in small pots or on window -sills.

If your Tomatoe fruit skin splits- caused from irregular watering. It is best to water every second day rather than heavy watering to make up for letting them dry out.

Suggestions -you could plant a row of silver beet or spinach, one of lettuces. Then continue with rows of a variety of carrots, radishes, or whatever vegetables or salad plants you prefer and in season. Remember do not buy more plants than the area you have for planting. Overcrowding will not encourage healthy growth.

Carrots, radishes and silverbeet

These are the best ones for kids to start with as they are more hardy and radishes grow real quick.