With living costs ever increasing, one solution to combat rising prices is to grow your own fruit and vegetables. In a 2011 survey of 1,009 people by “which”, 24% of respondents said they are now growing their own vegetables. Plus, in a BBC survey of 2,007 people in May 2012, nearly a third of British adults claimed they grow their own food. Half of those surveyed said that they would start to do so if there is any further price increases. Food prices are globally rising but even within the European Union these increases differ significantly. Between 2007 and 2012, food prices increased by 13% in Germany and France whereas they increased by a huge 32% in the UK. Additionally, people are growing their own fruit and vegetables for reasons other than the rise in food prices. Although, 59% grow their own food in an attempt to become more economical There is a desire from people to want to eat more healthily; 33% grow their own food to try and have a healthier diet. And 22% of people interviewed grow their own fruit and veg as they have less disposable income for food. One problem that can often occur is the lack of available space to grow food. Allotment places are very hard to come by. According to Landshare, there are 86,787 people on the waiting lists for allotments. In London some waiting lists are 40 years! Allotments are by no means the only way to grow your own food however, even in the city. For every person that has an allotment, there are at least 80 people growing their own food elsewhere. If you are short on space you cab grow potatoes in tubs. All you need to do is put around 15cm of compost or soil in the bottom of a tub, add the potato and simply cover it with more soil and compost. Then just add compost as it grows. Some vegetables grow very quickly too. For example you can be eating your homegrown radishes a mere 21 days after planting them. Baby spinach is even quicker and grows in 20 days! In around 40 days you can have lettuces and baby beetroots; carrots in 56 days and leeks in 91 days. And finally, did you know that 83% of Home Farmer readers keep chickens in their back gardens? And a whopping 90% of you grow vegetables in your back gardens.

1. Is the cost of food driving people
to grow their own?
With the cost of food soaring, many people are either considering
becoming home farmers or are already growing their own
vegetables and keeping livestock. Are you a Home Farmer?
In comparison with other EU members, prices rose 32% in the UK between 2007 - 2012,
while they rose by only 13% in both Germany and France...
The TOp 3 reasons why people in the uk are
choosing to grow their own vegetables Are...
A - 59%
C - 22%
B - 33%
A - Increases in Food Prices Mean Trying to be more economical
B
- trying to eat more healthily or improve diet
C
- Less Disposable income to spend on food
Growing TIMES FOR Vegetables...
Radish - 21 Days Salad LEAves - 24 Days Onions - 35 Days
carrots - 56 Days Turnips - 56 Days potatoes - 70 Days
1,009 members of the uk public
were interviewed in june 2011, and
it showed that 24% of them are now
growing their own vegetables...
- Which?
51% of those surveyed said they
would consider growing their own
fruit, Vegetables and herbs - or
growing more- if food prices were
to rise further...
You can grow potatoes in tubs - the bigger the better. fill the
bottom with about 15cm of compost, or soil and compost mixed,
and just cover it. As the plant grows, keep adding compost until
the tub is full...
Growing QUICK TIP
Fastest Growing Vegetables Rise in Food Prices
Radish
Salad Leaf MIx
Baby Spinach
lettuce
BABY BEETROOT
CARROTS
Dwarf BEANS
Leeks
0 20 40 60 80 100
FASTEST GROWING VEGETABLES (in Days)
12%The percentage rise in
food prices over the last
5 years...
Rise in Food Prices
25%The percentage rise in
the price of Fish, Fruit
and veg since 2007...
83%
Of home farmer readers
keep chickens in their
back gardens...
90%
Of home farmer readers
Grow veg in their back Gardens...
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@homefarmer
www.homefarmer.co.uk
32% 13%
148,000 The Number of hectares dedicated
to fruit and vegetable growth in
uk in 2012...