Green Man in the Garden

One of the most satisfying, healthy and green things I do is to grow some of my own food in the garden. I'm more of a composter than a grower, though, but I do manage to cultivate quite a few annuals (tomatoes, potatoes, climbing beans, squashes) and perennials (one of my favourites is blackberries) and I look after some fruit trees.

Not only does growing something connect you directly with the Planet, but if you grow edibles it reduces your reliance on bought food, and you are guaranteed it's fresh. There's nothing quite like picking sweetcorn and getting it into a pan of boiling water within a couple of minutes, and eating it just 5 minutes later.

You don't even have to have a garden, a pot of home-sown basil on a window-sill will be just as satisfying... and nearly everyone has access to a reasonably lit window-sill. For those with yards and no soil, a container or pot will enable you to try courgettes or beans, or salad leaves or even the humble spud. Once you have grown something successfully, you get a real buzz and want to do it the next year, and with many people it becomes an important part of their life. For those wanting to be really green, it is a central feature and can take over their life in a beautiful and positive way.

It is not too late in the season to start, although you won't have time to grow peppers from seed as they need putting in much earlier. But I reccommend planting some herbs, a squash, pumpkin or outdoor cucumber, and climbing French beans, which are far better than Runner beans, especially in a dry season. Spending a few moments organising this now will hopefully give you much satisfaction over the year, and should result in something delicious and edible... and be part of your attempt to live a greener lifestyle. Good luck!