Grow your own way to 5 a day

Despite advice stating that everyone should be eating at least five portions of fruit and veg a day, only around one in eight are actually doing so in the UK, it has been revealed.

With growing food prices and financial problems hitting many families, the figures are perhaps not surprising.

But with 12 per cent of the 25,000 households questioned regularly eating no fruit or veg at all, the Health of Britain – Perspective on Nutrition 2008 statistics paint a frightening picture of the nations health.

What some wont realise is that it is easy and cheap to grow your own vegetables and given a little time and effort a consistent supply of food will be available from your own back garden.

When it comes to growing your own, the BBC website says that preparation is the key.

"When it comes to successful vegetable growing, a little preparation goes a long way," it says.

"Find out all you can about your soil, draw up a plan for your plot and then you can start the fun bit – choosing which of your favourite foods you want to grow.