There is something actually fantastic about sowing a little seedling, seeing it grow into a healthy vegetable and then harvesting the produce to feed your household. The sensation of achievement and satisfaction is going to leave you beaming, and hopefully those around you, too.

Of course, it's likely you have to put in a little bit of work, however the benefits are worthwhile - you realize you'll be outside in the fresh air, you will be getting some exercise, you will be discovering something new as well as taking pleasure in food that has been grown just as you want it to be.

But if the whole concept of growing your own is of interest yet appears to be just a little overwhelming, it need not be. Once you've got your ground well prepared, get yourself a few seeds and you should shortly be experiencing tasty home-grown fruit and veg, and pondering why you did not begin in years past.

Beginning steps

Assuming you are already fortunate enough to possess your own plot, be it a council-run allotment or perhaps a vegetable area within your garden, then besides having a few basic bits of equipment, all you'll need to get things setup is good old-fashioned hard work - and some decent weather conditions would not go amiss, either!

However , before you go hurrying off with fork in hand, it is necessary to possess a planting system, even if it's only provisional, especially if you're new to this 'growing your own' game. You'll need to have an notion of what you need to grow (make sure you choose stuff you know your family definitely will eat) and the whats and wherefores of how to do it. Keep it uncomplicated to begin with and when you've tasted good results, move on to more exciting crops and bring in fruit and veg you prefer growing rather than just sticking to the more common types. Abide by instructions on the back of the seed packet for special planting conditions.

Best plot

You may have to prepare the ground when you start growing. If you put in the groundwork now, you'll most definitely reap the benefits, so as you get down to digging, think about the satisfaction you will get when you're tucking into your own fresh produce. The most important job is to get rid of the weeds as they'll be fighting your fruit and veg for water, nutrients and space. It's best to dig them out by hand, getting as much of the root out as possible, as using a rotavator simply chops up the roots. For annual weeds, this doesn't cause a problem, but for perennial weeds like dandelions, each piece of root can make a new plant, so instead of getting rid of them, you're just making more!

Once you've dug the plot over and got rid of as many weeds as possible, it's worth adding some well-rotted compost to improve the condition of the soil - this will not only boost the structure but give your seeds and plants a head start. It's also a good idea to apply a fertiliser to increase the nutrient content for your hungry soon-to-be veggies. For organic gardeners, incorporate a balanced general fertiliser such as blood, fish and bones about two weeks before you sow any seeds, and for traditionalists, try inorganic Growmore.

The final step to seed-ready soil is raking so you get a fine, crumbly tilth (top layer of soil). Remove any stones and you're all set. Happy sowing and growing!