Article submitted by Andrew ( Free seeds on their way )

At this time when the food shopping basket has gone up considerably over the last 12 months, money is tight and more people are getting concerned about “food miles” many people are turning to growing their own. There is much that those who don’t have an allotment or own a large garden can do to increase food production in a small garden.

First, use any South facing walls or fences for growing fruit against. A mature thornless blackberry will produce many kilos of fruit each year. Likewise, in a good season a grape vine will produce several bunches of grapes.

Second, plant fruit trees in borders or as features or even in large pots on patios. We have two apple trees in our small front garden which share the space with two cars. Last year they produced about 300 apples which kept us going until Easter. If space is very limited grow cordons or trees with a dwarfing rootstock. Select tasty varieties rather than the more bland varieties sold in the supermarkets.

Soft fruit is also a valuable producer. Our raspberries sit under one of the apple trees and we get a handful of raspberries most days from June until October with a mixture of summer flowering and autumn flowering varieties.

Rhubarb looks great planted near a pond – a sort of miniature Gunnera. After a year of getting established providing it is well mulched in the autumn and water during dry periods a crown will produce enough rhubarb for a weekly meal from April until the end of August. Strawberries can be grown in flower beds.

Patios can be used for large pots containing warmth loving plants such as figs and olives as well as for growing herbs such as rosemary, chives, parsley, mint, basil (in summer) and fennel.

And finally if you have space elsewhere in the garden consider making raised beds and growing the more valuable vegetables. Runner beans are great value for space and money, tomatoes do well if the weather is good and leeks are useful for growing during the winter. Spinach will grow throughout the year and if you like it is really worth considering.

If you really get into growing your own consider getting on the waiting list for an allotment. I reckon mine produces around £1000 of fruit and veg a year. You may also consider a chicken coop like my neighbour or a beehive similar to the Warre hive I made a couple of summers ago.

What other ideas are there for increasing garden food production?