FOOD GARDENING ON A SHOESTRING

As a gardener, I can't resist tips that promise to be budget beaters and I am probably not alone. With the cost of everything going up, the idea of gardening for free (almost) is enormously appealing.

- Alice Spenser-Higgs

It's possible, with some help from friends and neighbours, freecycling and being creative when reusing what's to hand.

Save with seed

When it comes to savings, a packet of seed will last two seasons or more. That beats a six pack of seedlings hands down. Even if you have a small garden and only want six tomatoes, there is no reason why they can't be started from seed.

Seed stored correctly can be viable for up to three years. Once a packet has been opened, it should be stored in a cool, dark place and kept closed (I use clothes pegs). A desk drawer is good, as long as you don't forget about them. Rather keep the packets in an airtight container or shoebox, and mark it as a seed box. You'll notice that all seed packets are date-stamped.

Vegetable Growing in South Africa by Charles W. Smith, is a very old garden manual, that sold for 10 shillings, which means it was probably printed in the 1950s. His advice is still sound. He writes, under General Rules: "It makes no difference how much fertiliser or water or care you give a crop grown from poor seed.

The result will be poor if the seed is poor. You may have to pay a little more for good seed but if the seed is good, it is worth the little more."

Freecycle - within your neighbourhood