For me, the year seems to start between February half-term and the Easter Holidays when I can get out into the greenhouse and start planting seeds for the year. I am very lucky that our garden is big enough to allow us to have a good size vegetable plot with a number of raised beds allowing us to grow a good selection of vegetables but I would encourage everyone to get out and plant vegetables in any space you have, be it an allotment, raised beds in your garden, pots on a patio or on a window sill indoors. There are many studies* that have found that gardening is good for your mental and physical health and I know for sure that I feel a lot better when I’ve had a day or two out in the garden pottering about.
It’s always a great feeling to get out and start planning for the year and then seeing those first shoots poking up out of the soil. This year we are trying a few new things like Kale and Cauliflowers as well as the regulars like Sweetcorn, Broad Beans, Courgettes, Peas, Potatoes and Carrots. At the moment most of the plants are getting big enough to be put out during the day to “Harden off” ready to plant out in a couple of weeks, before being tucked up in the warm greenhouse overnight.
Chris T (Health Improvement Advisor)
