Grow your own
Growing your own fruit and vegetables can help you save money and help the environment. You can grow food in a garden, on a balcony or even on a windowsill. Home-grown food can cut shopping costs and reduce the energy used to transport, store and package food.
Benefits
Save money
Growing your own food can help you spend less on fruit, vegetables and herbs. Even a few plants can provide fresh food for your meals.
Cut energy use
Food from shops often travels long distances before it reaches your plate. Growing food at home means less energy is used for transport, storage and packaging.
Reduce waste
Pick only what you need. This can help you waste less food and use less plastic packaging.
Feel good
Gardening helps you spend time outdoors, stay active and enjoy fresh food that you have grown yourself.
Easy vegetables to grow at home
You do not need a garden to grow your own food. Many plants grow well on a sunny windowsill or in small pots.
Cress - Sprinkle seeds on damp kitchen paper or compost. Ready to eat in about a week.
Basil - Grows well in a pot on a sunny windowsill. Pick the leaves as you need them.
Salad leaves - Fast-growing and easy to care for. Pick a few leaves at a time.
Spring onions - Grow these by replanting the roots from shop-bought spring onions.
Top tips for beginners
- Start with one or two easy crops
- Water little and often
- Grow foods you enjoy eating
- Don’t worry if some plants don’t grow well. Gardening takes practice
Ready to start growing your own food?
Take a look at our useful resources for simple tips and advice. You can learn what to grow, when to plant it, and how to get the best results.
Useful Resources:
- Grow Wakefield
- A social enterprise which can support Wakefield district residents with growing their own fruit and veg
- Crop Planner
- How to Extend The Growing Season
- Growing Fruit and Vegetables from Seed