insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 02 - April 2015 | Page 54

FOOD+DRINK

grow your own
Even in this almost-spring-but-not-quite-there-yet weather, it is possible to quench our thirst for
growing our own fruit and veg (and even drinks) thanks to the plethora of ‘grow your own’ kits that are
available. These kits are becoming ever more popular, and are a fantastic way to grow at least some of
your five a day even if space, sunshine, or expertise is scarce.
So, what do you fancy growing?

Mushrooms

Herbs

The Grow Your Own
Mushrooms Kit from Fungi
Futures is great for beginners
as, according to its producers,
it is ‘100% reliable’. The
gourmet pearl oyster
mushrooms are grown from
recycled coffee grounds in this
kit, and all you need is a shady
spot, some water, and a little
patience. After 14 days you
should have your first crop –
pick them and start again with
the next batch! One kit
produces around 500g of
mushrooms over a two-month
period.
£14.95,
www.notonthehighstreet.com

Adding herbs to your cooking
can change a good recipe into
a great one, and if you can
just reach out and grab the
herbs you need, you’re
certainly onto something. This
Kitchen Herb Garden
Windowsill Planter will allow
you to do just that, after
planting your collection of herb seeds. You’ll receive basil, chives, and
parsley, as well as enough compost to look after them, and a fabulous
rustic planting box too.
£25.99, www.primrose.co.uk

Tea

Tea is the soother of all ills,
an incredibly popular infusion
that is beloved up and down
the country. Of course, it
can’t be grown in this
climate… or can it? With the
Tea Lovers’ Package from
Rocket Gardens, it most
certainly can be! The tea
plant – in this kit it is the
Camellia Sinensis – can be
grown inside or out, and the
leaves don’t have to be dried
to make great tasting tea;
just pick them, pop them in
a strainer, and you’ve got it! In addition to your own tea plant, you will also
receive a selection of other teas to enjoy.
£22.99, www.rocketgardens.co.uk

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are
incredibly versatile,
and are used so
often in our cooking
that to have a
homegrown batch
at hand would be
very useful indeed.
The Tomato
Growing Kit is ideal
for getting your
tasty tomatoes
ready in no time. Everything is provided, including the clever compost discs
that expand when water is added, and colour-coded pots to let you know
when you move your tomatoes into a bigger home.
£15, www.greenhousesensation.co.uk

Ginger Beer
(Alcoholic)

Eventually, winter will
turn to spring, and
hopefully the weather
will warm up. Once
that happens, it’s time
to be on the lookout
for refreshing, cooling,
delicious drinks to
ease you into summer.
Ginger beer is a
perfect example of that
kind of long drink, but it can be pricey if you want to spice it up by trying
the alcoholic kind. Never fear, though – there’s a kit for that! The Make Your
Own Organic Ginger Beer Kit from Plants from Seed makes two litres of
gorg V