More and more people are being turned on to the benefits of growing their own food.
What was once a pastime for the "knit your own sandals" brigade is now an activity for the masses and to prove the point, waiting lists for allotments in the UK are the longest they have ever been.
You first battle then, is to find a suitable piece of land for your plot.
Once you have acquired your potential larder, you will want to make it as productive as you can and here's how:
1. Keep your plot as environmentally friendly as you can. Instead of using new plastic plant pots, either re-use old ones or better still, make your own pots from old newspapers which will eventually compost down into the soil.
2. Realise that a 250 square metre plot can produce almost three quarters of a ton of food each year - that's a potential saving of ?500!
3. Weeds are very powerful - your plot may be over run in a single season. Make sure that any unplanted areas are covered with some sort of membrane - old carpets are good for this.
4. The soil is your friend and provider. Make sure that you keep feeding your plot with the nutrients your crops will need. Make your own compost and feed it back into the soil.
5. Protect your plot from pests. Slugs, snails, caterpillars, birds, mice and rabbits can all decimate a plot in very short order. Try to work with nature to control and deter these pests and a bountiful harvest is yours for the taking.
6. Don't go berserk when sowing seeds or you'll end up with feast then famine. Spread your sowing over several weeks to ensure a steady supply of fresh produce. Remember you aren't able to irradiate your harvested crops to preserve them in the same way as supermarkets - it's always best to eat your veg just after it comes out of the ground.
7. Don't lose heart. A vegetable plot can be hard work - weeds, pests, and the climate in your area can be formidable foes. Start simple and adopt a little and often approach and you'll find vegetable growing hooks you forever.
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