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Growing your own is as easy as 1, 2, 3...

We can't all give up our jobs and city-dwelling to live the 'Good Life' self-sufficient organic smallholder dream, but we can all go some way towards growing our own food. Michelle Lowe outlines some simple low-cost ways to get started.

Growing your own food is a great way for individuals to reduce our environmental impact. As he ultimate in local food, it's sustainable, cheap and healthy. What's more, it is immensely satisfying to eat food you have produced yourself (even if your crop is just a few small carrots for the family to share).

Many readers will be aware of the arguments for growing your own food, but feel put off by the amount of time and effort it might take, or by not having a garden.

Don't be discouraged! Even if you don't have the time and space to grow everything you need, it's worth getting started with a windowsill, a small patch of ground or a rooftop. Of course, it you're really enthusiastic you can get involved with an allotment, a community garden or city farm, or get outside and dig up the concrete in your backyard and replace it with a veggie plot.

Top tips: Getting going with growing


1. Even if you have no garden, you can still grow inside. Sunny windowsills are ideal for growing peppers, baby tomatoes, chillies and herbs such as chives, mint, basil, parsley, sage and thyme. Cut and use them often to encourage bushy growth.



2. If you don't even have a sunny windowsill, try sprouting. Beansprouts are cheap, nutritious and very easy to grow even in a dark corner. All you need is a jam jar, some muslin and some seeds and beans. Try alfafa, cress or mustard. www.primalseeds.org/sprouting.htm



3. If you have any outside space, even a corner of a shared back green, put a pot in it! You can grow herbs and vegetables in almost anything as long as you can make drainage holes in the bottom. Try reusing car tyres, bins, wooden barrels, baths and sinks.



4. If you have a garden, growing your own food doesn't have to be a huge undertaking. Start with small steps e.g. consider using a sunny wall to grow runner beans, of try interspersing vegetables amounst your flower beds.




5. Growing your own doesn't have to be expensive. Why not start by collecting seeds from vegetables you already eat? Squash, tomato and pepper seeds can all be collected and dried.




6. Get an allotment. If you don't have time to cultivate a whole plot, consider sharing with a group of friends. You may have to go on a waiting list in some areas.



7. Many gardens are left un-dug or under-used. If you're keen to grow, try asking friends or neighbours with gardens whether you can make use of them. You can always promise them a share of the harvest in return!



8. Find out about city and community gardens in your area from the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens. www.farmgarden.org.uk/scotland





9. If you've been put off in the past by pests and bugs visit the organic pest control website for advice on identifying and tackling them without using chemicals. www.organicgardenpests.com



10. For those who are novice gardeners or plot-holders, getting to know the experienced gardeners around you is invaluable. They will know what works in the local soil and climate and will often be only too pleased to offer advice.

Friends of the Earth Scotland is an environmental charity based in Scotland
5 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PR. Tel: 0131 243 2700. Registered charity number SC003442