Gardening Knowledge - Sow It Grow It and Feast

20 Recycled and Repurposed Items to Sow Seeds In

Planting seeds is one of life’s simplest joys, but what if it could be even more rewarding? By using recycled or repurposed items to start your seeds, you can save money, reduce waste and give a new lease of life to things you already have at hand. It’s sustainable, creative and a wonderful way to bring a sense of purpose to everyday objects.

Whether you’re an eco-conscious gardener, someone on a budget or just a lover of all things green, these ideas are bound to inspire. Here’s a collection of 20 household, garden and pre-loved items you can turn into seed-sowing pots.

1. Newspaper Pots

Transform yesterday’s news into tomorrow’s garden! With a potmaker, you can easily roll up strips of newspaper into biodegradable seed pots. Perfect for planting straight into the soil, as the paper will break down naturally.

2. Toilet Roll Tubes

Those cardboard tubes left behind after the loo roll is gone? They’re a seed-sowing classic! Ideal for deep-rooted plants like beans and peas, simply stand them upright in a tray, fill them with soil and plant your seed.

3. Tin Cans

Save your baked bean tins and soup cans—they make sturdy planters! Just be sure to add drainage holes at the bottom before use. A coat of paint or a splash of creativity can make them even more cheerful.

4. Egg Boxes

Cardboard egg cartons are brilliant for starting seeds. Their individual compartments are perfect for small seedlings and when the plants are ready, you can cut them apart and plant them directly into the ground.

5. Coffee Tins

Metal coffee tins are not only functional but chic as well. Remove the lid, add drainage holes and you’ve got a sleek container for your seeds. Bonus points for upcycling something stylish!

6. Plastic Bottles

Single-use plastic bottles get a new purpose as mini greenhouses. Cut them in half and use the bottom as a plant pot; the top half can act as a lid to trap warmth and humidity for germinating seeds.

7. Yoghurt Pots

Instead of tossing those little plastic pots into the bin, give them a rinse and reuse them for seed sowing. They’re lightweight and the perfect size for starting your garden.

8. Eggshells

Nature’s own tiny pots! Gently crack your eggs in half and save the shells to plant your seeds. They’re compostable, so you can bury the whole thing in the soil once your seedlings are ready.

9. Food Trays

Plastic or cardboard food trays from produce or baked goods make excellent seed-starting containers. Just add some drainage holes, and they’re ready to be filled.

10. Ice Cream Tubs

Ice cream tubs offer plenty of space for a variety of seedlings. They’re especially useful if you want to grow a little forest of seedlings in one go!

11. Milk Cartons

Empty milk cartons can be transformed in two ways—cut them in half to use the bottom as a seed container or use the top as a mini watering can by poking holes in the lid!

12. Old Teacups

Unearth those chipped or mismatched teacups at the back of your cupboard (or pick some up from a charity shop). They’re ideal for growing one or two seeds and add a whimsical touch to your windowsill garden.

13. Baking Tins

Have rusted cake tins you don’t use anymore? They make excellent sturdy containers for planting seeds. They’re also great for grouping multiple seedlings together.

14. Ice Cube Trays

Each little compartment in an old ice cube tray can house a single seed. Once your seedlings sprout, pop them out like ice cubes and transplant them into larger pots or your garden bed.

15. Shoes and Boots

An old pair of wellies or shoes can be turned into quirky planters. Simply fill them with soil, add your seeds, and watch as new life emerges!

16. Coconut Shells

If you have access to coconut shells, they can be repurposed as rustic, biodegradable seed pots. These work wonders for a tropical vibe in the garden!

17. Jam Jars

Glass jars are perfect for seeds that don’t require drainage—just place a layer of pebbles or stones at the bottom to prevent waterlogging.

18. Biscuit Tins

Old biscuit tins can double as planters. Line them with some drainage material and they’ll add vintage charm to your garden.

19. Mushroom Tubs

Plastic tubs from pre-packaged mushrooms are sturdy, reusable and spacious enough for planting seeds. Just remember to add holes for drainage!

20. Colanders

Worn-out colanders that no longer strain your spaghetti can serve a new purpose as unique planters. They’re ready-made with drainage holes and bring a fun look to your space.

Ornate Picture Frame
Image of Recycled Pots: Clean tin cans, egg boxes and Paper Pots

Sowing Seeds Sustainably

Repurposing everyday items to sow seeds not only saves money but also helps reduce waste and supports a more sustainable lifestyle. Every small choice adds up to big change, and by giving these objects a second life, you’re contributing to a healthier planet.

Which items will you repurpose first? Share your seed-sowing creations with us and join our community of eco-conscious gardeners. Together, we’re making sustainability bloom. 🌱

Further Reading: The Benefits of Growing your own Vegetables, Grow Your Savings The Smart Way Leverage Your Garden to Combat Rising Food Prices, Growing Food in Your Garden: A Beginner’s Guide to Feeding Your Family

Homemade Fertilisers for Your Garden

Gardening is more than just a hobby; it’s a way to connect with the earth while making sustainable choices for our environment—and it doesn’t have to cost the earth, either. By creating homemade fertilisers using items you might already have around the house, you can nurture your garden, save money, and contribute to a healthier ecosystem free of synthetic chemicals.

Before getting started, remember to test your soil. Understanding what your soil lacks ensures you can give your plants exactly what they need—nothing more, nothing less. Over-fertilising, no matter how natural the source, can harm plants and upset the soil’s natural balance.

Here’s a list of some of the most effective homemade fertilisers you can try, what they bring to your garden, and how to use them.

1. Comfrey Tea

Nutrients: potassium, potassium, nitrogen

How to Prepare: Steep well-rotted compost in water for 24–48 hours. Use a ratio of 1 part compost to 5 parts water.

How to Use: Dilute further if needed and pour around the base of your plants to improve soil fertility and encourage healthy growth.

See our Blog on Comfrey Tea here

2. Animal Manure

Benefits: Rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, manure helps plants grow vigorously.

How to Prepare: Allow the manure to age for several months to reduce its harshness.

How to Use: Work aged manure into your soil or mix it with water to make a nutrient-rich tea.

3. Banana Skins

Benefits: Loaded with potassium and phosphorus, banana skins are ideal for flowering plants.

How to Prepare: Chop the skins into small pieces or blend them with water for faster decomposition.

How to Use: Bury pieces in the soil near your plants’ roots or pour the blended mixture around them.

4. Seaweed

Benefits: Rich in trace elements and plant hormones, seaweed promotes plant health and resilience.

How to Prepare: Rinse any salt off collected seaweed, then soak it in water for a few weeks to create a liquid fertiliser.

How to Use: Dilute and water your plants with this nutrient-packed tonic.

5. Epsom Salts

Benefits: A great source of magnesium and sulphur, which are essential for photosynthesis and plant health.

How to Prepare: Dissolve one tablespoon of Epsom salts in a gallon of water.

How to Use: Spray the solution onto leaves or water at the base of the plant.

6. Bone Meal

Benefits: Full of phosphorus and calcium, bone meal fosters strong roots and healthy flowers.

How to Prepare: Grind clean, dry bones into a fine powder.

How to Use: Mix into the soil at the base of plants before planting.

7. Fish Emulsion

Benefits: Packed with nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace minerals, it’s excellent for leafy vegetables.

How to Prepare: Steep fish scraps in water for several weeks until the liquid ferments.

How to Use: Dilute the liquid (1 part emulsion to 10 parts water) and apply it as a plant fertiliser.

8. Molasses

Benefits: Feeds beneficial soil microbes and helps increase microbial activity.

How to Prepare: Mix one tablespoon of molasses with a gallon of water.

How to Use: Water your plants or add it to compost tea to give your soil extra life.

9. Coffee Grounds

Benefits: High in nitrogen, coffee grounds are especially great for acid-loving plants.

How to Prepare: Dry used coffee grounds to avoid clumping and potential fungal growth.

How to Use: Sprinkle them lightly onto the soil or mix them into compost.

10. Tea Leaves

Benefits: Tea leaves add nitrogen to the soil and improve its structure.

How to Prepare: Dry used leaves or compost them. Ensure no tea bags contain plastics.

How to Use: Add tea leaves directly into the soil or mix them into your compost bin.

11. Grass Clippings

Benefits: Fresh grass provides nitrogen, while dried clippings make excellent mulch.

How to Prepare: Allow the clippings to dry before use to prevent mould.

How to Use: Spread dried clippings around the base of your plants to retain moisture.

12. Egg Shells

Benefits: Eggshells add calcium to the soil, which prevents issues like blossom-end rot in tomatoes.

How to Prepare: Crush shells into small pieces or grind into a powder.

How to Use: Scatter the shells over the soil or blend them into the compost.

13. Wood Ash

Benefits: Provides your garden with potassium and trace nutrients.

How to Prepare: Use ash from untreated wood, and store it in a dry place to avoid clumping.

How to Use: Sprinkle it lightly around your garden; avoid overuse as it can raise soil pH.

14. Stinging Nettle Tea

Benefits: Contains nitrogen, iron, and other trace elements, making it a fantastic plant tonic.

How to Prepare: Steep nettle leaves in water for a few weeks to produce a nutrient-rich tea.

How to Use: Dilute the liquid and use as a foliar spray or soil fertiliser.

15. Vegetable Cooking Water

Benefits: Packed with minerals leached from vegetables during cooking.

How to Prepare: Simply save the water after boiling vegetables. Avoid over-salted water.

How to Use: Allow the water to cool before pouring it onto garden soil.

16. Old Aquarium Water

Benefits: This water contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from fish waste.

How to Prepare: Use water from a freshwater aquarium (not saltwater).

How to Use: Pour gently onto the soil around your plants, avoiding foliage.

Final Thoughts

Switching from synthetic fertilisers to these homemade alternatives isn’t just a budget-friendly move—it’s a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly gardening. By using what you already have and composting kitchen waste, you can reduce landfill contributions while creating a thriving garden ecosystem.

Remember, every plant has its own unique requirements, so test your soil, observe your garden, and apply fertilisers in moderation. Now’s the time to roll up your sleeves, improve your soil health and nurture your plants with natural, affordable care.

Further Reading: How to Discover Your Soil Type (And Why It Matters),

Take a look at our Great Range of Grow Your Own Seed Sets

How to Discover Your Soil Type (And Why It Matters)

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or new to gardening, understanding your soil type is one of the most important steps to growing a healthy and thriving garden. Different plants thrive in different soils and knowing what you’re working with can save time, effort and resources in the long run. Plus, understanding soil is key to promoting environmental sustainability in your garden.

But what exactly is ‘soil type’ and how can you discover yours? Let’s break it down.

How to Discover Your Soil Type

There are a few simple methods you can use to determine your soil type. These are quick, straightforward and work for any garden.

The Squeeze Test

This classic method is as simple as it sounds. Grab a handful of slightly damp soil and squeeze it in your hand. Then, observe how it reacts:

If it forms a solid ball that holds its shape when prodded, you may have clay soil.
If it crumbles easily, it’s likely sandy soil.
If it holds its shape but breaks apart with gentle pressure, you might have loamy soil, the holy grail of soil types.
If it feels sticky like glue, your soil may be silty.

Using a Soil Testing Kit

For a more in-depth look at your garden soil, purchase a soil testing kit. These kits can identify not only the soil type but also the pH levels and nutrient content. Follow the instructions on the kit to take a sample and discover valuable insights into your soil composition.

Pay Attention to Drainage

Another clue to your soil type is how water behaves when added:

Clay soils tend to hold onto water, often resulting in pooling.
Sandy soils drain too quickly, often struggling to retain water for plants.
Loamy soils absorb water at a steady rate, which plants love.

What Are the Different Soil Types?

There are four main types of soil you might encounter in your garden:

Clay Soil

Characteristics: Heavy, compact, and nutrient-rich.
Pros: Excellent at retaining nutrients and water.
Cons: Drains poorly and can be challenging to work with due to its dense nature.

Sandy Soil

Characteristics: Light, gritty, and drains quickly.
Pros: Easy to work with, warms up quickly in spring.
Cons: Nutrient-poor and struggles to retain water, which can lead to plant dehydration.

Silty Soil

Characteristics: Smooth, soft, and rich in nutrients.
Pros: Fertile, retains moisture well.
Cons: Can become compacted easily, which stops plants from developing strong roots.

Loamy Soil

Characteristics: A well-balanced mix of clay, sand, and silt.
Pros: Drains well, retains nutrients and is ideal for most plants.
Cons: Requires consistent upkeep to maintain its balance.

How to Improve and Work with Each Soil Type

Don’t worry if your soil isn’t perfect; there’s plenty you can do to improve and work with it:

For Clay Soil

Amendments: Add organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to make the soil lighter and improve drainage.
Tips: Avoid working with clay soil when it’s wet as it compacts easily, making it harder to handle.

For Sandy Soil

Amendments: Compost and vermicompost can help sandy soil retain moisture and nutrients.
Tips: Mulch your garden beds to help lock moisture into the soil and prevent quick drying.

For Silty Soil

Amendments: Adding organic material like straw or shredded leaves can improve its structure and reduce compaction.
Tips: Rotate crops regularly to prevent overworking the soil in specific areas.

For Loamy Soil

Amendments: Loamy soil also benefits from the yearly addition of compost to maintain its excellent structure and nutrients.
Tips: Protect loamy soil from erosion by planting ground cover crops or using mulch.

Why Understanding Soil Type Matters

Knowing your soil type offers key benefits:

Healthier Plants: Providing the right conditions for your plants leads to stronger growth and abundant harvests.
Better Resource Use: Tailor your water and fertiliser usage based on soil requirements, reducing waste.
Environmental Sustainability: Healthy soil reduces erosion, retains carbon and improves the local ecosystem.

By taking the time to understand your soil and how to work with it, you’re not only setting your plants up for success but also making an impact on the environment.

Final Thoughts

Understanding your soil type is the foundation of successful gardening. With a simple squeeze test or soil kit, you can uncover valuable information to tailor your gardening efforts, improve your soil, and be more sustainable.

Further Reading: Harvest More, Waste Less with Successional Planting, Leafmould -Breathe New Life into your Soil

Kickstart Veganuary by Growing Your Own

If you’ve been toying with the idea of living more sustainably or are a dedicated veggie lover ready to take the next big leap, Veganuary presents the perfect opportunity to align your lifestyle with your values. And what better way to celebrate Veganuary than by growing your own vegetables? Whether you’re a gardening novice or a seasoned grower, cultivating your produce has countless benefits for your health, the planet and even the local wildlife.

Why Growing Your Own is the Ultimate Veganuary Experience

Being part of Veganuary is more than just joining a movement; it’s about making thoughtful choices that embody sustainability and self-sufficiency. When you grow your own fruits and vegetables, you’re not just reducing your carbon footprint—you’re reconnecting with the environment in a way that processed supermarket products can’t match.

Benefits of Growing Your Own Food:

Healthier Eating: Homegrown vegetables are packed full of nutrients and are free from pesticides and chemicals. Plus, having fresh produce just a few steps away encourages healthy eating habits.
Environmental Gains: Skip the extra plastic packaging and reduce food miles by producing your veggies in your garden or balcony.
Support Wildlife: Vegetable patches also create safe spaces for pollinators like bees and butterflies that are essential for maintaining biodiversity.

Veganuary pairs so well with home gardening because it magnifies these benefits. The dishes you prepare become even more meaningful as they represent your efforts to improve your own health and the world around you.

Getting Started: Your First Steps as a Grower

Taking the plunge into growing your produce doesn’t take a sprawling garden or specialist skills—just some patience and the right approach.

1. Choose Space-Saving Crops for Newbies

If you’re starting small, opt for beginner-friendly vegetables that thrive in pots. Lettuce, spinach, radishes, spring onions and even small carrots are easy to grow on a windowsill or balcony.

2. Think Seasonal

Growing veggies in the appropriate season ensures they thrive and taste their best. For Veganuary, think leafy greens, cabbages, kale and root veggies like parsnips.

3. Create a Compost Corner

Why not reduce food waste while feeding your future veggie garden? A compost bin is the ultimate sustainable gardening secret weapon.

4. Experiment with Containers

Don’t have a garden? No problem. Many greens and herbs—like rocket, basil, or coriander—flourish with adequate light, water, and a spacious container.

Cooking Up a Storm with Your Homegrown Veggies

Once your veggie patch is producing, your kitchen will become a playground of plant-based creativity. Veganuary challenges you to push your culinary skills, and there’s something deeply satisfying about cooking with ingredients you’ve nurtured yourself.

Big on Bowls: Toss a medley of roasted carrots, parsnips, and kale together for the ultimate winter Buddha bowl.
Smoothie Boosters: Add homegrown spinach and mint to your morning smoothies for an energy burst.
Leafy Wraps: Use fresh, sturdy lettuce leaves as a wrap for your favourite Veganuary fillings of chickpeas and tahini.
Stir-Fry It Up: Create quick, warming dinners with green beans, peppers, garlic, and soy sauce—all straight from your plot.

For those completely new to plant-based cooking, Veganuary’s website offers a ton of recipes to help you get started.

The Bigger Picture—Improving the Planet and Giving Back

Beyond benefiting your own lifestyle, Veganuary combined with sustainable gardening makes a powerful statement. Growing your food reduces food waste, lowers carbon emissions, and helps cut down single-use plastics. Meanwhile, the wildlife you’re supporting in your garden—whether it’s bees, ladybirds, or worms—will thrive alongside your veggie patch. It’s a ripple effect of sustainability.

Even your small patch can inspire others. Share a photo of your thriving plants or your dishes online. Talk to your neighbours about what you’re growing. Every little bit helps spread awareness of sustainable living.

Veganuary is Just the Beginning

Taking part in Veganuary isn’t just about eating plant-based for a month—it’s about setting new habits and allowing the positive changes to stick. By growing your vegetables, you’re creating a lifestyle brimming with fresh, sustainable and seasonal produce that will benefit you long after January ends.

Are you ready to don the gardening gloves, plant those first seeds, and truly connect with the fruit of your labour? Start small, stay consistent, and watch as your garden flourishes.

Here’s to a sustainable Veganuary and a greener, healthier future!

Further Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Seed Ordering

Start your Grow Your Own Vegetables with the Help of one of our Grow Your Own Kits here

Harvest More, Waste Less with Successional Planting

Are you tired of peak harvest seasons yielding more produce than you can manage, only to leave your garden barren for the rest of the year? Successional planting could be the solution. This method involves strategically planning and timing your plantings to ensure a continuous and diversified harvest. Not only does this keep your garden productive year-round, but it also maximises yields and minimises waste. Whether you’re an avid gardener, a horticulture enthusiast or someone dedicated to sustainable living, understanding successional planting will transform your growing season.

What is Successional Planting?

Successional planting is a gardening technique aimed at maintaining a continuous supply of fresh produce by staggering plantings of crops over time. Rather than planting everything at once and facing a single, overwhelming harvest, successional planting ensures that you have a steady stream of fruits, vegetables and flowers throughout the growing season.

There are several methods to achieve this, including:

Sequential Planting: Planting the same crop at staggered intervals.

Intercropping: Growing different crops together to maximise space and resources.

Relay Planting: Planting a second crop immediately after the first has been harvested.

Each method caters to different types of plants and gardening goals, offering flexibility to suit various needs and preferences.

What are the Benefits of Successional Planting?

Optimised Harvests

One of the primary benefits of successional planting is the ability to optimise your harvests. By staggering your plantings, you can avoid the glut that often comes with a single, large harvest. This not only makes your workload more manageable but also ensures a steady supply of fresh produce throughout the year.

Efficient Use of Space

Successional planting allows you to make more efficient use of your garden space. Instead of leaving beds empty after the initial harvest, you can immediately replant with another crop. This method maximises the productivity of your garden and ensures that no space goes to waste.

Pest and Disease Management

Rotating crops and staggering plantings can help manage pests and diseases. Many pests and diseases are specific to certain plants; by changing what you grow in a particular area, you can break the life cycles of these harmful organisms. This leads to healthier plants and higher yields.

Are There Any Disadvantages?

Complexity in Planning

While the benefits are substantial, successional planting does require careful planning and organisation. You’ll need to consider the growing requirements and harvest times of each crop to avoid overlaps and ensure continuous production. This can be time-consuming, especially for novice gardeners.

Increased Labour

Successional planting can also mean more frequent planting and harvesting, which translates to increased labour. Gardeners need to be prepared for this additional work and have the necessary tools and resources on hand.

Risk of Soil Depletion

With continuous planting, there’s a risk of depleting soil nutrients. To mitigate this, it’s crucial to practice good soil management techniques, such as incorporating organic matter and rotating crops to maintain soil health.

What Do You Need to Consider When Planning for Successional Planting?

Choose the Right Crops

Selecting suitable crops is essential for successful successional planting. Take into account the climate, soil type and seasonality of your region. Some crops, like radishes and lettuce, have short growing periods and are ideal for sequential planting. Others, like tomatoes and peppers, may require more extended periods but can still be incorporated into a successional plan.

Create a Planting Calendar

A planting calendar is a vital tool for organising your successional planting efforts. This calendar should detail when to plant each crop and when to expect harvests. By mapping out your planting schedule, you can ensure that you always have something growing and avoid gaps in production.

Monitor and Adjust

Monitoring your garden closely is crucial for success. Keep track of growth rates, harvest times and any issues that arise. This will help you make informed adjustments to your planting schedule as needed. Flexibility and adaptability are key components of effective successional planting.

How Can Successional Planting Improve Your Harvest Yields?

Maximising Crop Rotations

By practising crop rotations through successional planting, you can improve soil health and reduce the likelihood of pest infestations. Different crops have varying nutrient requirements and root structures, which helps maintain a balanced soil ecosystem and enhances overall productivity.

Utilising Intercropping Techniques

Intercropping allows you to grow multiple crops in the same space simultaneously. This not only maximises space but also enables you to take advantage of complementary plant relationships. For example, planting beans with corn can provide mutual benefits, as beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which corn utilises for growth.

Continuous Harvest

The most significant advantage of successional planting is the ability to enjoy a continuous harvest. By carefully planning your plantings, you can ensure that there’s always something ready to be picked. This steady supply of produce reduces waste and allows you to make the most of your garden’s potential.

Successional planting offers a powerful method for maximising your garden’s productivity. By staggering plantings and rotating crops, you can enjoy continuous harvests, make efficient use of space, and manage pests and diseases more effectively. While it does require careful planning and increased labour, the benefits far outweigh the challenges.

Ready to take your gardening to the next level? Start implementing successional planting techniques today and experience the joy of a bountiful, year-round harvest.

Further Reading: Leverage your Garden to Combat Rising Food Prices RHS Successional Sowing

The Benefits of Growing your own Vegetables

Growing your own vegetables is a practical and satisfying. There’s no better joy than eating the vegetables you’ve cultivated yourself. It’s a healthy and rewarding way of living a more intentional lifestyle. We are here to guide you through the benefits of growing your own vegetables.

Saving on Grocery Costs: Growing your own vegetables not only helps you save on grocery expenses but also offers you healthier alternatives. You can purchase a packet of seeds at a lower price than what you would pay for produce in the supermarket. For instance, a single seed of the Beefsteak Tomato variety can produce around 100lbs of tomatoes throughout the growing season. Imagine how much you can harvest! Not only will you save on costs, but you’ll also enjoy fresh and chemical-free vegetables to use in your cooking.

Sustainable and Environment-Friendly: Growing your own vegetables reduces your carbon footprint and contributes positively towards a sustainable environment. The process of planting and harvesting your vegetables conserves water and reduces soil erosion – leading to healthier soil, plants and animals. You’ll also eliminate the carbon footprint of transporting the vegetables from far-off places. By taking up vegetable gardening, you’re playing a part in reversing the impacts of climate change.

Physical and Mental Health Benefits: Gardening is an excellent way to exercise without going to the gym. Spending time tending to your vegetable garden strengthens your muscles, increases flexibility, and builds endurance. The fresh air and sunlight you get also contribute to your mental health, reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation. Moreover, harvesting and sharing your crop with your community can uplift your mood and provide a sense of achievement – making the time spent in your vegetable garden ‘feel-good’ moments.

Enhancing Your Culinary Skills: Growing your vegetables provide you with an exciting way of experimenting with new recipes. Incorporating fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruits from your garden into your meals can completely enhance the taste and quality of your food. You can also get creative with preserving your vegetables with pickling and canning to use them beyond their season.

Connecting with Nature: With vegetable gardening, you get to reconnect with nature and acknowledge your relationship with it. You become more attuned to the cycles of life in nature, and this helps you appreciate it more deeply. Gardening is an excellent way to spend more time outdoors and observe the different species of birds, insects, and trees in your garden. You’ll gain more appreciation for biodiversity and reduce the risk of environmental stress and degradation.

Growing your vegetables is a fulfilling way of engaging in sustainable and healthy living. It connects you with nature, saves you money, provides you with healthier alternatives, and is an excellent way to remain physically and mentally active. By incorporating the practices mentioned above, you can reap the numerous benefits of growing your own vegetables. We hope that this guide inspires you to create your vegetable garden and start the journey of cultivating your food. Happy gardening!

Further Reading: RHS – Grow your Own Fruit, Vegetable and Herbs, Grow stronger together with companion planting

Skirret – The Forgotten Vegetable – Herbaceous Perennial

Sium sisarum – Skirret Other common names: crummock, jellico

Skirret, a starchy root vegetable that belongs to the carrot family, was once a popular crop in Europe during Roman times. The Emperor Tiberius was particularly fond of it, and even demanded it as a tribute from the Germans. It was the main root crop eaten in Europe before the potato was introduced. Skirret has a unique taste between a carrot and parsnip and can be found in sweet and savoury dishes. The name “skirret” is derived from a Germanic origin meaning “sugar root”. However, despite its popularity in the past, skirret has faded from gardens and tables over time.

Skirret is a vegetable that is quite easy to grow once you know how. Unlike most of its relatives, it is a perennial plant that produces a bunch of roots, making it easy to lift and replant. Skirret can be grown from seed and produces a single “crown” consisting of several shoot buds around the base of a stem, with a cluster of roots attached. To form a clump made from several crowns, a crown can be divided easily. However, some of the roots in a cluster are not worth picking, so it’s best to dig up the clump, snip off the roots that are worth having, and replant.

Skirret roots can sometimes have a woody core that can’t be softened even after prolonged cooking. This issue is more common in young plants but may disappear as they grow older. It can also be caused by insufficient water during the growing period. Alternatively, it may be due to genetic factors that vary from plant to plant.

Another yield from skirret is the immature flower stems, which have a nice carroty taste when boiled or steamed. They are fairly substantial and produced in reasonable volume, but they are fast-growing and soon harden off, so if you want more than a brief harvest you will have to freeze some.

Skirret can be grown from crowns, but it’s not easy to obtain them. You either have to spend a lot of money or start from seed. Skirret is not easy to grow from seed because it needs a period of winter cold to germinate. If you’re planning to grow Skirret from seed, make sure you source current-year seed in the autumn and stratify it right away. The seed loses viability quickly, like many plants in the Apiaceae family.