Recognising key factors in community wellbeing, this year, the Royal Horticultural Society have launched new campaigns

The Royal Horticultural Society, RHS, are encouraging people to start growing their own food and are using the rapidly increasing price of it as leverage.

Along with sponsors NS&I, National Savings and Investments, the RHS have calculated: if one person grows enough veg’ to provide for their lunch each day ñ for example, lettuce, salad leaves and tomatoes ñ over their working life, they would save about £38,000! That is more than most of us earn in a year.

Richard Hunt at the RHS explained: ‘Getting people growing is at the heart of this campaign and we hope we’re able to show that even a space as small as a hanging basket or window box can reap rewards in terms of fresh tomatoes or lettuce, which will save you money in the shops. The campaign is much more than just growing veg’ though,’ he continued. ‘It’s about healthy lifestyle, having fun and saving money at the same time.’

John Prout of NS&I added: ‘Everyone can gain rewards from producing vegetables for the dinner table or interest for the savings pot. By working with the RHS, we aim to help the nation achieve healthy finances as well as a healthy diet.‘
People are starting to get the message. According to seed producer, Thompson and Morgan, the sale of vegetable seeds have risen by 40 per cent in the past two years. The RHS Grow Your Own Survey revealed that, besides lettuce and salad leaves, the easiest vegetables to grow are beans and potatoes. Coincidentally, the United Nations has named 2008 as The International Year of the Potato, hailing it as the food of the future’. You do not even need a garden: potatoes grown in barrels give excellent results.

Contact: www​.rhs​.org​.uk/​v​e​g​e​t​a​b​les
Above: Rachel Steell in a wildflower meadow ñ Alness in the Highlands of Scotland. Photo: © Derek Gordon