As spring approaches, the garden starts to wake up. Bulbs are pushing their way through the soil, early daffodils are emerging to join the early crocus and late snowdrops, and sowing time is here for many crops.
Gardening needn’t be costly, or take up lots of space. You can make a herb garden out of old milk cartons; a fairy or dinosaur garden from plastic packaging; and use windowboxes or larger containers to plant your own fruit and veg, even if you don’t have a garden.
Seed and seedling swaps can help you get started on a budget. And you can use food waste to make compost (though you may need to buy a little to start you off). Newspaper can be folded into seedling pots, and yoghurt pots can be used for planting, or cut up to make plant labels. Growing your own fruit and veg is a great way to recycle so many things – and get fresh food on a budget.
On 24th March (10am-noon) the second Upcycle Your Life event will take place at Fearon Hall, Loughborough. This month has a gardening theme, with Transition Loughborough running a seed swap; information on free community gardens in the area; and the chance to make your own miniature garden from recycled packaging and learn about succulents. The Crop Club will also be there, along with Utilise Loughborough running a minimum waste cafe.
If you can’t make it, you can still get gardening. The more you sow, the more you’ll have to look forward to later in the year…