Back To The Good Life

11 January 2010

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Saving money usually means cutting back on the things you enjoy doing.

But for those choosing to grow their own ‘kitchen garden,’ a more economical way of life doesn’t have to be boring.

Jeremy Dore is 39-years-old, lives with his wife and three children in Liverpool and is an expert in internet technologies.  Seven years ago however, he and his wife discovered an alternative way of life and set about learning how to maximise their garden’s full potential.

Many seeds and lots of digging later, Jeremy now grows every fruit and vegetable imaginable and prides himself on his family’s ability in being almost entirely self sufficient.

With a growing belief that organic culture was the way forward, Jeremy set up his own business, GrowVeg, an innovative online garden planning tool, which helps people grow fruit and vegetables to the best of their ability in whatever sized garden or allotment they have.

Jeremy believes there are hundreds of advantages to 'growing your own' and explains that people have their own reasons for doing so.

"I love getting my children involved and think that they are far more aware of healthy eating choices because of it.

"Other advantages include healthy organic food, introducing children to where food comes from, saving money, enjoyment of the outdoors and the superior taste of home grown produce.

"I concentrate on fruit and vegetables that I know taste much better fresh and normally cost a lot."

With over 68% of all people registered with GrowVeg under the age of 45, it’s clear that 'growing your own' is no longer stereotypically associated with those older or retired.

Many younger people in full time work have taken to the idea of the ‘kitchen garden’ because of the economical downturn and according to the first comprehensive allotment survey in ten years, commissioned by home insurer LV, over 56% of allotment owners chose to rent a plot to save money.

On average, allotment owners save around £950 a year through home growing; a huge amount of money to anyone during a recession.

The increased popularity of 'growing your own' has prompted many to draw comparisons with the 1970s self-sufficiency movement and the 'Dig For Victory' campaign of the Second World War.

The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG) has recognised this and is currently holding an exhibition in the Garden Museum, titled 'The Good Life,' which celebrates 100 years of 'growing your own.'

The NSALG has been around since 1901 and aims to promote, preserve and protect allotments and encourage the growing of food.

Understanding that the 'kitchen garden' is not a new thing, the NSALG recognises that 'growing your own' disappears for some decades and then resurfaces. Because of this the society wants to ensure that allotments have a future.

"There are many parallels with now and the past," explains Geoff Stokes, secretary of the NSALG, "and I think the recession does have a lot to do with it.

"In the 1970s, when people resorted to 'the good life,' it was a quaint and wonderful world. After the famous TV series, everyone wanted to grow their own.

"Up until about two years ago a lot of the enquiries we got were from people debating allotment and kitchen garden usage and sometimes questioning their worth.

"Now we are flooded with calls from people wanting advice and help about how to grow their own.

"Amateur growers are popping up everywhere and I think 'growing your own' has become a lot more accessible.

The celebrity influence seems to be another reason behind the increase.

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