I have always enjoyed fresh herbs and vegetables, and many a time have I tried to grow my own produce from seeds. From indoor herb patches to garden allotments, I've tried it and I can easily say not a lot has come out of it. I have grown some tomatoes and courgettes, but soon after the first batch of produce my plants died, and herbs just didn't make it to be big enough to be used in cooking.
Let's face it, fresh herbs are so much more fragrant and tasty than their dried variants and I can easily say that the produce you grow at home will taste one hundred times better than the stuff you buy in stores.
So, without further delay I present you with my first post on how to grow your own indoor herb allotment in partnership with Intellicig, an e-cigarette company who have launched their #GoGreen challenge to show all of us (include you city slickers who don't have a garden/countryside near you) that you can grow your own produce at home and lead healthier and ultimately happier lives. Little confession for you guys - I am a recently ex-smoker. I have quite smoking for good at the beginning of the year after years of having this bad habit. And it is a bad habit, there's no benefit that comes from smoking and I can honestly tell you that I feel so much better for quitting. My mouth doesn't feel dry, I don't have smokey breath and best of all my hangovers are nowhere near as bad as when I used to smoke on nights out. I'm very excited about this and I am proud of myself for kicking this habit which contributes to a much healthier and happier life.
What you get in this little allotment kit is a cute stand in the shape of a shed with a fence; three sets of seeds which include oregano, basil and coriander; soil pellets; planting pots with drainers; and herb scissors.
First of all, you have to soak the seed pellets in water until they grow in size and separate. This takes a few minutes so I just let mine soak and went on to do house chores. When I came back the pellets were big and the soil was fluffy and moist. Spread the soil equally around the pot and get planting!
In a pot, plant one variety of seeds. I chose to put in all of my seeds from the packet as this gives more of a chance that the seeds will grow and develop into herbs. Like I said, I'm not exactly green fingered so I'm taking all the chances I can get with this! Spread the seeds around and push them down into the soil but not too far, and ensure that the soil is fluffy and not hard at the top as it's harder for little seeds to push through hard soil.
I'm really hoping that my herbs grow nice and strong and maybe after so many failed attempts I have finally got what it takes to grow my own?
Update: the competition is now closed, thank you to everyone who entered! The winner was announced on Twitter, 6th April.
U don't have any tips to #GoGreen, so I will be looking at other peoples answers for some tops xxx
ReplyDeleteI grow salad my own salad veg, recycle as much as I can, I use my own cloth shopping bags and I use rain water to water my plants!
ReplyDeleteIf you have a small garden you can still grow lots of veg, Grow vining crops,such as tomatoes, pole beans, peas, squash, melons and so on,straight up
ReplyDeleteturn off lights when your not in the room and dont let taps drip
ReplyDelete#gogreen I recycle olive and corn oil and make my own soap :)
ReplyDeleteEeeek, this is so exciting! Hope I win! Well, my #gogreen tip isn't a very groundbreaking one, I don't own a car so I travel with my bike as much as I can, the boyfriend does the same. Also, we recycle! :D
ReplyDeletegrow your own and recycle thankyou
ReplyDeleteCompost all food waste and recycle and up cycle all u can
ReplyDeleteRecycle all you can
ReplyDeleterecycle everything that is possible in your local area and upcycle anyold funiture etc
ReplyDeleteKeep a collapsible bucket in the bathroom and use it to catch the hot water that comes through cold before it actually gets hot. Put the water on the plants or lawn.
ReplyDeleteAlso use the bucket to collect the soapy bath water after bathing. Use it to wash down patios, decking, pots, fencing etc.
When you've finished, collapse the bucket and pop it behind the loo or pedestal out of the way.
Recycle :)
ReplyDeleteWe have just moved and have the tiniest garden. I've bought troughs and tubs to plant herbs, tomatoes, etc. The patio is my new vegetable garden!
ReplyDeleteGrow your own
ReplyDeleterecycle and grow your own :)
ReplyDeleteMake the most of everything, reuse, recycle and avoid food waste by finding a use for everything in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteGrow your own and recycle
ReplyDeletere use carrier bags.
ReplyDeletePlan your menu for the week, shop only for the items you need and keep it seasonal
ReplyDeleteJust about everything can be recycled, I have taught my children that its fun to recycle and we have different bins for everything so guessing what goes in what bin has made recycling fun for my kids!
ReplyDeleteI have a mini composter in the kitchen, recycle pretty much anything, have water butts etc but my top tip is to take old furniture and appliances to refurbish centres rather than the tip, that way people can reuse your furniture when they can't afford to buy new.
ReplyDeletegrow lots of fruit and veg xx
ReplyDeleteRecycle as much as you can!
ReplyDeleteRecycle and grow your own stuff :)
ReplyDeleteI think 'going green' is bigger than a tip, it's about developing an attitude to do whatever we reasonably can to be ecological, so that consideration for the planet's resources becomes second nature :)
ReplyDeleteRecycle, Upcycle and get on your cycle!
ReplyDeleteLaura Harris
lots of recycling and growing your own veg x
ReplyDeleteupcycling is amazing, always use pinterest for inspiration
ReplyDeleteAlways Recycle!
ReplyDeleteThom
Get the children on board with recycling & upcycling
ReplyDelete...its a lot more fun
Don't leave appliances on stand by!
ReplyDeleteAshleigh
Wash up in a bowl and use the water on your garden. Turn off all unused appliances, including the oven. Only boil as much water as you need in the kettle.
ReplyDelete#GoGreen I grow some fruit and veg in my garden, try to re-use and recycle as much as possible, and use natural and eco-friendly toiletries and cleanig products. And avoid wasting food by freezing left-overs.
ReplyDelete#gogreen Many things can be turned into compost so rather than chucking out those old newspapers, eggshells, peelings, hair from old brushes....use them to make your own compost x
ReplyDeleteBe as economical as you an and do as much recycling as you can.
ReplyDeleteGrow you own veg and fruit. Even buying lemon grass from the shop and planting in pots so you can grow your own.
ReplyDeleteUpcycling furniture and clothing.
ReplyDelete@rachiegr
Recycle and reuse carrier bags
ReplyDeleteI recycle my washing up water to use on my plants in my front yard, I also take some of my recyclables (egg boxes, cardboard boxes etc.) to a local children's group so they can make things out of them, I decorate bottles, cans and use them around the house as planters and candle holders and I use plastic bottles in the garden as cloches and to catch the rain water.
ReplyDeletegrow plenty of veg!
ReplyDeleteDitch the plastic bags and carry a shopping tote every time you go shopping :) #GoGreen!
ReplyDeleteTurn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
ReplyDeleteJust because you don't have a garden doesn't mean you can't grow veg. Last year, I grew all sorts from potatoes to onions in pots on my patio. You need a lot of patience but the end result is well worth it!
ReplyDeleteKeep a mini compost bin in the kitchen and put all veggie peelings etc in it.
ReplyDeleteTURN OFF ALL LIGHTS WHEN YOU LEAVE THE ROOM :)
ReplyDeletegro our own potatoes x
ReplyDeletereuse your carrierbags and put things in your recycle bin
ReplyDeletereuse carrier bags and recycle plastic
ReplyDeleteWash your laundry with cold water instead of hot #GoGreen :)
ReplyDeleteWe pour our soapy dish water on the veggies growing in the garden as it is a natural insect repellent
ReplyDeleteturn off lights when your not in the room - leanne w
ReplyDeleteUse the water waiting for the hot tap to warm up to flush the loo
ReplyDeleterecycle
ReplyDeleteI grow lots of herbs for my rabbits and cooking
ReplyDeleteSave baby wipe wrappers, milk bottle tops & biscuit wrappers for Terracycle - it helps save them from landfill and helps charities
ReplyDeleteInvest in solar panels!
ReplyDeleteRecycle as much as possible
ReplyDeletewe only flush on a number 2 !
ReplyDeleteRecycle and reduce use :)
ReplyDeletegrow different types of tomatoes. Use some of the seeds next year and you could be growing unique tomatoes due to pollenation
ReplyDeleteUpcycle! Save wine bottle corks and turn them into pinboards, cut the tops of big plastic bottles and turn them into pencil pots or planters...the possibilities are endless!
ReplyDeleteMore recycling
ReplyDeleteWe upcycle as much as we can and try and use second hand where ever possible.
ReplyDeleteWalk as much as possible
ReplyDeleteInsulate, wear warmer clothing, don't buy over packaged goods.
ReplyDeleteGrowing your own herbs and veg is definitely the way forward! Prices in the supermarket for herbs are ridiculous, and they never last.
ReplyDeletetry to reuse everything until it is worn out from carrier bags for boot covers to old toothbrushes for cleaning!
ReplyDeleteWe bourght a woodburner and collect wood from the beach,scrap wood being chucked out, skips,etc and only had the central heating on a couple of times during the winter.
ReplyDeleterecycle and upcycle whenever possible, walk and leave the car at home, or at least take the bus :)
ReplyDeleteWe compost our food waste then use the compost to grow veg at home x
ReplyDeleteCompost and recycle
ReplyDeleteI grow my own veg and recycle where I can
ReplyDeletewe grow our own vegetables, turn everything that we can into compost and recycle.
ReplyDeleteUsing the water you've cooked with - e.g. pasta - to water your plants and use toilet roll tubes to plant out seedlings into the ground. As the plant grows the tube decomposes into the soil and in dry weather you can us clingfilm to cover the tubes with rubber band and pierce to allow air in. it acts as a mini greenhouse. use egg shells to prevent slugs and human hair to deter rabbits no pesticides needed .
ReplyDeleteRecycle as much as possible
ReplyDeletestart a garden xx
ReplyDeletemake use of your garden, make your own bread and use up all your leftovers
ReplyDeleteCompost and recycle
ReplyDeleteFab prize, I don't have any outdoor space in my new flat so I'd love to win this! As for going green, use as little plastic as possible. Always buy things in reusable glass packaging where possible and opt for things that don't have unnecessary plastic wrapping.
ReplyDeleteRUR: Reuse - Upcycle - Recycle. I dont always get it right but I am trying : )
ReplyDeleteRecycle, turn off things that aren't I use rain water to water plants :)
ReplyDeleteBuy secondhand, use canvas shopping bags, compost veg peelings, grow your own food, turn the heating down....I could go on and on and on :)
ReplyDeleterecycle :)
ReplyDeleteI make my own compost with veg peel etc, it quickly rots down in the bin and is organic and great
ReplyDeleteGet the kids involved with planting veggies and salad in the garden and then they are more likely to eat it and thus less wastage!
ReplyDeletewater the lawn with washing up water to save water. Grow veg with the kids, they love to eat what they've grown.
ReplyDeleteUpcycling and recyling. I make my own compost, collect rainwater in butts and try to reuse as much as I can in some way.
ReplyDelete#GoGreen! Recycle all the way!
ReplyDeleteRecycle & reuse x
ReplyDeleterecycle and reuse - join a freecycle local group
ReplyDeleteI recycle, use LED bulbs & plan to start growing my own vegetables this year. #GoGreen
ReplyDeleterecycling use bath water for plants not edible ones though save rain water use carrier bags kept from previous shopping cut up old clothes for rags instead of buying expensive ones I wash my washing up sponges in the wash and reuse good as new super giveaway
ReplyDeleteI have got an allotment and i grow all my own fruit an veg, i love it because i only pick what i am going to use so i don't waste anything. I even give my veg peel etc to my chickens and in return they give me beautiful fresh eggs everyday
ReplyDeleteRecycle as much as you can. I'm teaching my son to recycle and he is 2. Best to start young!!
ReplyDeleteRecycle everything you can
ReplyDeleteA compost heap is a very good idea if you have the space!
ReplyDeleteWe always recycle as much as we possibly can, we also have a compost bin, we have a waterbutt to collect rainwater which we can use to water our plants and we always try to grow lots of different vegetables and fruit!
ReplyDeleteMinimize food waste - pan meals, use leftovers, compost. We aim to scrap nothing but bones
ReplyDeleteFinding space to grow your own veg can be tough, so we use a variety of upcycled containers to maximise what we have!
ReplyDeleteThink moneysaving - often these are the things that save the planet too. Grow your own, turn off lights and appliances, plan meals so there are no leftovers, join freecycle for gaining and getting rid of things and stop thinking of recyclers as geeks and think of them as heroes.
ReplyDeleteRecyle as much as you possibly can and don't waste food (just buy what you need and plan a menu each week)
ReplyDeleteTo help #GoGreen I only put the lights on in the room I am in if I need the lights on.
ReplyDeleteget a compost heap going ,recycle your veg scraps and garden waste on it to make new compost for the following year
ReplyDeleteRecycle everything you can and grow your own chillis
ReplyDeletelisa ann tebbutt
use led lamps & tubes x
ReplyDeleteHave 1 night a week without electrity! No TV, lights etc! Just good old fashioned board games and candles
ReplyDeleteUse a compost bin to dispose of household peelings vegetable waste :)
ReplyDeleteGo to dads allotment
ReplyDeleteOne small thing you can do is to collect the cold water that runs down the if hole when you are usually waiting for the tap to warm up for the washing up. Then water your plants with it :)
ReplyDeleteI recycle as much as I can, have a compost heap, and collect rain water for water my plants :)
ReplyDeleteMy go green tip is to put your vegetable peelings in the compost bin.
ReplyDeleteTurn as much power consuming stuff in house off as possible, recycle and up cycle everything you can
ReplyDeleteI have replaced all my household cleaning products to natural. Bathroom, kitchen, window cleaner are natural products.
ReplyDeletei love to grow my own fruit, and recycle all the time.
ReplyDeletemake sure all you bulbs are eco freindly
ReplyDeleteI use my tuble dryer water on my garden plants and grow some of my own stuff :)
ReplyDeleteHarvest seeds from tomatoes, sweetcorn and peppers and start planting now. Cheaper tastier and healthiert
ReplyDeleteLots of stuff... eco light bulbs, don't leave things on standby, composting food waste, use own shopping bags, natural cleaning products, etc. We would love to grow our own food but only have a small courtyard. This mini allotment would be ideal for us!
ReplyDeleteLots of stuff... eco light bulbs, don't leave things on standby, composting food waste, use own shopping bags, natural cleaning products, etc. We would love to grow our own food but only have a small courtyard. This mini allotment would be ideal for us!
ReplyDelete