If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, growing things organically is a great way to start living “green” and doing your part to save the planet – especially in the summer when outdoor living is the order of the day.

And, says Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group, one of the best things to plan is an organic vegetable garden (no chemical pesticides or fertilisers), which will not only put natural food on your table and help to ensure your own long-term health and fitness, but will also help to cut down your “food miles” – the cost to the environment of getting food from its place of origin to your home – and your grocery bills.

Writing in the Property Signposts newsletter, he notes that an organic vegetable garden is also great for birds, insects and animals and that your garden overall will benefit from the fertility and diversity they bring to the eco-system.

“Growing some of your own vegetables and fruit is quite easy, but you will still need to be somewhat organised. You should follow growing instructions carefully and keep a record of your plantings and results so you can repeat them or plan improvements.”

It is also a good idea, he says, to start with easy crops so you will be encouraged to continue your green campaign. Among the easiest things to grow are radishes and lettuce for salad, swiss chard, green beans, potatoes, beetroot, parsnips, leeks, shallots, courgettes, gemsquash and pumpkin.

Herbs such as chives, parsley, garlic and rosemary are also great additions to an organic vegetable garden, and tomatoes, too, grow well in most parts of SA and are very rewarding in terms of versatility, although they are a bit labour intensive.

Article by: www.chaseveritt.co.za