Grow your own

A small backyard can feed you more than you think.

You don't need a farm. A few beds, good soil and a plan will put fresh vegetables and herbs on your table – and cut your grocery bill.

Start this weekend: 6 simple steps

Pick the sunniest spot. Most vegetables need at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
Start with one raised bed. About 1.2 m × 2.4 m is easy to reach from both sides and enough to learn on.
Feed the soil, not the plant. Mix in compost. A simple compost heap from kitchen scraps and leaves is free.
Grow what you actually eat. Spinach, tomatoes, onions, beans and herbs like basil, mint and parsley are forgiving for beginners.
Water deeply, less often – and mulch. It builds deeper roots and saves water.
Plant a little every few weeks. Small, staggered sowings give you a steady harvest instead of a glut.

Two guides worth a look

For the whole homestead

The Self-Sufficient Backyard

A guide from authors who describe 40 years of living off the grid, on turning an ordinary house and yard into a small self-sufficient homestead – food, water and energy projects.

FormatBook

Sold throughDigistore24

Good forBeginners with a yard

See The Self-Sufficient Backyard →

For herb growers

Medicinal Garden Kit

A seed kit of traditional medicinal herbs with growing instructions, from the team behind "The Lost Book of Remedies". A nice starting point if you want a herb corner in your garden.

FormatPhysical seed kit

Sold throughDigistore24

Ships fromUSA

Important: many countries, including South Africa, restrict importing seeds without a permit. Check your country's rules before ordering. Herbs are not a substitute for medical advice.

See the Medicinal Garden Kit →