How easy is it to grow your own?

[puds11isNAUGHTYnotNAICE]

I am thinking of starting to grow some of my own food to save on money. I don't have a lot of space, and don't have a garden so everything will have to be grown in pots iyswim.

Problem 1: I'm crap at gardening and the likes, but I really want to try.

Problem 2: Will it cost more to set up and maintain than the benefits?

I'm wanting to grow potatoes, some herbs, maybe some other root veggies and some grass for the rabbit.

Is it doable? I cannot express how shit I am with plans, however my DD is quite into watering so I'm hoping she will help.

Any advice is greatly appreciated and any suggestions as to where to start

[gardeningmum]

If you haven't got much space then doubtful you will save money by the time you have invested in containers, soil, seeds and plants. On the other hand GYO is fun, satisfying and will be of great benefit to your daughter. You could start small and see how you get on. Buy some perennial herbs ( that means they come back every year). Chives, rosemary, thyme, oregano and sage and start growing and harvesting - then take it from there.

[Beamur]

You can get potato bags, which can be re-used, but you'd need to think about buying compost every year & the hassle of changing it etc. I think your best bet is herbs, maybe tomatoes if you have a sunny spot? Roots are surprisingly difficult and you need the right kind of soil and also to protect against pests more.
Strawberries are easy to grow and are quite happy in pots.

[puds11isNAUGHTYnotNAICE]

Thanks guys. I am definitely going to get the herbs. DD was very excited when I told her we where going to grow things

[WomblesOfCairngorm]

The easiest things to grow in the whole wide world are lettuce/salad leaves.
Put some soil in a pot. Dampen soil a little. Sprinkle seeds on top. Trail fingers over the top a few times so the seeds are slightly covered with soil. Keep soil damp. Watch them grow!

[chocolatespiders]

My dd loves growing cherry tomatoes. easy to grow in a pot or growbag

[puds11isNAUGHTYnotNAICE]

Thank you! I hadn't thought of growing salad that's a great idea.

[KB02]

Yep mixed salad leaves are easy and save loads of money if you buy bagged salad.taste loads better than shop bought too. Have you got a wall to grow runner beans up as the yield is massive.

[redwellybluewelly]

Have a think about what you buy to eat veg wise that is expensive. I started out growing just the things which cost the most. Courgettes, tomatoes (esp cherry toms which can grow in hanging baskets), carrots, spring onions and salad leaves. I have grown potatoes but certainly don't save money doing so. Now I grow more squash whoch take up room and I'm just drawing up my design for my new veg patch.

In terms of garden equipment post on your local freecycle page, also the seed from £ stores can be quite good or again ask if people have spares in local selling pages. BBC sometimes does free seeds for school gardening which are open to children, so maybe have a hunt.

It is hugely rewarding, very frustrating and ultimately addictive good luck!

[DewDr0p]

YY to herbs and salad leaves. Super easy, don't take up too much room and I think one of the things that will save you a bit of money.

[SleepyCatOnTheMat]

I've got a really good book called How To Grow Plants In Pots by the RHS, it gives you step-by-step instructions on growing all the things you mentioned OP.

[puds11isNAUGHTYnotNAICE]

I'll have to check out the book.

Where would you advise to get the salad leaves seeds from?

I am intrigued by the growing of tomatoes in hanging baskets. My DD loves them so they will get eaten!

[breatheslowly]

I'd recommend alpine strawberries as well as herbs. They are really tasty and are fun to pick.

[Aethelfleda]

Climbing french beans are super easy, can grow v happily in a pot, and are tons nicer than the limp things flown in from kenya for £1.50 a little punnet. Kids LOVE help picking them too. A disease resistant type like Blue Lake is about £2 a packet at the garden centre and one packet of seeds lasts about 3 years.

[DewDr0p]

Garden centre B&Q or supermarket all good for seeds OP. maybe places like Wilkos too (don't have one near us so not sure)