More people growing their own veg

An increasing number of people are discovering the delights of growing vegetables, it has been claimed.

In an article for the Daily Telegraph, Joyce Russell revealed even a small garden can produce a large amount of food, but one way to maximise crops is to invest in a polytunnel.

Using one of these devices that act in the same way as a greenhouse, tomatoes, peppers and strawberries can all be grown with ease, she stated.

Ms Russell went on to say that the best way to start is to buy some young plants before moving on to winter salad leaves.

After 12 months, she added, "the freezer will be full of tomatoes, a grape vine or melons might be on the agenda, and you will see how easy it is to grow food for the table all year".

Donna McDaid, national secretary for the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners, recently said that home-grown food is usually much tastier than items bought in shops.