Health conscious people are being invited to test their green fingers by growing their own organic salads this summer.

With worries about chemical additives and “food miles” – some produce travels 50 per cent further than it did two decades ago before it reaches our plates – many people are turning to expensive organic vegetables.

The Greenfield Centre in Waltham Cross is running a course to help busy people who have no experience in gardening save money and eat more healthily by growing their own salads this summer.

Course organiser Jean Ralph said: “I have been growing my own veg for a few years now, mostly in my back garden in containers and raised beds and it is a wonderful experience.

“I wanted to run this course because many of my friends had shown interest in growing their own salads after seeing how easy it was and I thought that more people would probably enjoy this if they knew it was so simple.

“Anyone that can grow a hanging basket of flowers can grow a basket of cherry tomatoes, peas, strawberries, even radish and lettuce if they want to, and there is no satisfaction greater than eating food you have grown yourself.

“It is healthy, tasty, good for the environment and something everyone can do no matter how small a space they have available.”

The course covers sowing, planting out, after-care, and composting as well as basic companion planting – where you plant vegetables alongside flowers to help with pollination and insect control.

The two-hour Introductory to Organic Gardening course will be held at The Greenfield Centre, Waltham Cross, on February 9.

The course will be run in two sessions, from 9.15 to 11.15am and 1 to 3pm.

Places are £5 and a free crèche is available.

To book, and for information and other forthcoming dates, call Jean on 01992 301559.

source : www.herald24.co.uk