Recession Gardening | Grow Your Own Food

Potatoes have a long history, beginning in the High Andes as 'batadas'. The Spanish conquistadors introduced them into Spain in the 1570s and they further popularised by Drake in 16th century England.

They are one of the easiest vegetables to grow yourself and come in a range of varieties suitable for planting in many different situations and locations.

Always seek local advice when it comes to choosing which variety is best and when to plant based on local conditions.

Getting Started - The easiest (and cheapest) way is to retain some of last year's crop to plant the following year. However, be warned this can lead to a build of diseases such as potato blight which led to the notorious Irish Famine in the 1840s.

You can buy good seed potatoes at your local garden centre or order online.

When to sow & harvest? - Depending on the variety (and your location) mid-Feb to late-April.

First Early Varieties - Plant in March (a week or two earlier in southerly areas, a week or two later in northerly areas.) Harvest in June or July.

Second Early Varieties - Plant in April and lift in July or August.

Maincrop Varieties - Plant in late April and harvest in September or October for storage.

How to sow? - It is possible to plant your seed potatoes straight into the ground but it is a good idea to set them out in wooden trays in a 1 inch layer or dry peat first for about 6 weeks.

Where to grow? - Potatoes can be be grown in almost any location and soil type including containers.

Like the potato, tomatoes come in a wide range of varieties from small cheery to the largest beef tomatoes. They can be grown outside but usually require some form of protection.

Growing your own tomatoes actually requires quite a bit of effort in terms of the maintenance required (regular watering and deleafing) but there is something about watching the bright red fruits appear that fascinates both gardeners and non-gardeners alike.

Getting Started - The easiest way is to grow tomatoes is in grow bags although they may look unsightly. First sow the seeds in small compost trays and once the plants are 6 - 8 inches high transfer then to your pre-watered grow bag.

When to sow & harvest? - Depending on the variety, your location and method, mid-Jan to June. Harvest from June to October.

Where to grow? - If you have a heated greenhouse you can begin your sowing as early as January for an early crop. More typically, in a cold greenhouse you would begin sowing in February or March. Outdoor Varieties would be later still in March or April.

Like potatoes, tomatoes can be grown just as well in containers if space is limited.

If space is at a premium, don't despair! You can grow a large range of fruit and vegetables in containers right outside your back door, in window boxes or a terrace.

The principles are basically the same but you need to remember that containers will require more maintenance in terms of watering and a lack of light can be an issue in certain enclosed spaces.

Tomatoes, for example, require 4 - 5 hours of direct sunlight to really grow well although this is not such an issue for root vegetables like the potato.

And be creative with your choice of container! Just about anything can be turned into a productive container from an old wheelbarrow to old wooden wine boxes!