Due to the current economic climate, for many people nowadays being self sufficient is not just an ideal, it is a necessity.
In the past, gardens were a place purely for pleasure - for growing your favourite flowers and plants and a place for children and pets to play in. Now more and more people are using large areas of their garden for growing fruit and vegetables.
The main advantage of being able to Grow your own is that, with careful organisation and planning, you are able to pick fresh, healthy produce from your own garden throughout the year, at a fraction of the cost.
With the correct preparation and basic knowledge, anybody can grow their own produce. Most people will start with easier crops such as lettuce, carrots, potatoes and onions.
Tomatoes and cucumber require slightly more care, although they are still relatively easy to grow in a sunny position, ideally in a greenhouse.
Provided space is available, fruits such as apples, plums and pears can also be readily grown in any UK garden or allotment. Fruit are more prone to disease, however, and should be sprayed regularly to prevent any infestations.
If space is limited or if you are not lucky enough to have a garden, many fruit and vegetables can grow happily in pots and containers in a courtyard, balcony, or even a sunny windowsill.