There’s something incredibly rewarding about stepping foot in your garden and picking fresh vegetables or herbs. Growing your own vegetables or herbs isn’t just a way to save money – it’s also therapeutic, empowering, and a great way to get the whole family involved outdoors.

Whether you’ve got a small patio, a raised bed, or a rooftop garden, we’ve put together our Top Garden Tips to help you get growing together – and make that first step towards self-sufficiency.

 

It’s time now for our Top Garden Tips…

Top Garden Tips (1) – Start simple and start small!

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to grow everything at once and getting ahead of themselves – remember you can’t be a professional straight away. Growing your own vegetables or herbs can get overwhelming, but do not be perturbed; with time you’ll become a wise old sage!

Best vegetables or herbs to grow:

• Lettuce – grows quickly and keeps producing if you pick the outer leaves
• Radishes – super-speedy and fun to grow with the children
• Tomatoes – cherry tomatoes especially thrive in pots
• Courgettes – big yields from just a couple of plants
• Herbs – basil, chives, parsley, and mint are all low-maintenance winners

BONUS TGT: Choose vegetables or herbs you and the family like eating – it’ll keep you motivated and minimise wastage.

 

Top Garden Tips (2) – Sunlight

Most vegetables or herbs love sunlight, so ideally select a spot in the garden that gets at least 6–8 hours of direct sun each day. If you don’t have a large garden, that’s not a problem. Many vegetables or herbs grow perfectly well in containers on balconies or patios, especially with a good awning that can be adjusted to let in light and gentle warmth, while still offering excellent protection.

BONUS TGT: Our retractable awnings offer just the right balance of sun and shade, helping sensitive plants thrive in the summer months, as our motto says, “Shade when you need it – Sun when you want it.”

 

Top Garden Tips (3) – Prepare your soil

Healthy soil + healthy crops = healthy garden. Spend time preparing your beds and pots before planting your selection of vegetables or herbs; as if you fail to prepare you prepare to fail.

Things to do:

• Loosen the soil so roots can spread easily
• Mix in compost or organic matter to feed your plants
• Make sure your soil drains well – adding a small amount of pea gravel can help with this

Bonus TGT: Too much compost can cause problems for the health of your vegetables or herbs (further reading is advised).

 

Top Garden Tips (4) – Watering your vegetable or herb garden

We all like a drink of revitalising water, and vegetables or herbs are no different. They need consistent refreshment (especially when they’re forming fruit), but be careful – over-watering can cause issues.

• Water early in the morning or later in the evening
• Using a soaker hose or watering can enables you to target the roots
• Mulch around your plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds (weeds can cause the vegetables or herbs to die out)

Bonus TGT: Keep an eye on the weather forecast – if rain is forecast there’s no need to water.

 

Top Garden Tips (5) – Keeping pests away

Slugs, aphids, and caterpillars can make quick work of your plants if you’re not careful – but you don’t need to reach for harsh chemicals to stop them doing damage.

Natural solutions:

• Use netting to protect leafy crops
• Encourage beneficial insects like ladybirds and bees
• Plant companion herbs (like basil and marigold) to repel unwanted pests

Bonus TGT: Crushed eggshells around the roots of your vegetables or herbs help protect them from slugs.

 

Top Garden Tips (6) – Make a vertical vegetable or herb garden

If you’re short on room, why not grow upwards? A vertical garden can look great, no matter its location or size, and they work brilliantly for climbing vegetables or herbs.

Great vertical crops:

• Tomatoes
• Peas
• Beans
• Jiaogulan

Bonus TGT: You can use a simple trellis, wall planter, or even a repurposed wooden pallet to create a vertical vegetable or herb garden.

 

Top Garden Tips (7) – Get the kids involved

There’s nothing better than being in a garden having fun with the kids – all whilst teaching them about the environment, sustainable food, and much more.

Ideas to get them stuck in:

• Give them their own mini garden or pot to look after
• Let them pick fast-growing vegetables or herbs (like carrots or basil)
• Show them how to harvest and cook what they grow

BONUS TGT: Purchase children’s-sized garden tools – this will make them feel even more included.

 

Top Garden Tips (8) – Harvesting your crops

Once your vegetables or herbs are ready don’t wait too long to pick them – many will keep on producing the more you harvest, meaning you can reap the rewards time and time again.

BONUS TGT: These plants are also known as ‘Cut-and-Come-Again’, due to their returning nature.

 

Top Garden Tips (9) – Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space

Whether you’re planting a few pots on your patio or transforming your garden into a vegetable or herb paradise, having a comfortable, functional outdoor space makes all the difference.

BONUS TGT: Utilise air space by planting vegetables or herbs in hanging baskets, etc.

 

We hope our article “Grow Your Own Vegetables and Herbs: Top Garden Tips (TGTs)” has inspired you to grow your dream vegetable or herb garden. Thank you for reading; please come back for future articles… and who knows – maybe more TOP GARDEN TIPS.