Have you grown any vegetables yet? Six families are just starting and if you’re new to the idea, why not join them by following the month-by-month projects?

GIY Ireland launched Operation GIY Nation back in April choosing six pioneer families around Ireland to have a go at growing their own as well as be in with a chance to win a prize. As complete beginners the families are being helped and advised be GIY, a charitable organisation that’s doing a great job at helping and encouraging people to grow their own food, and I was delighted to be asked to write the projects for them.

The first month - April started by sowing cress seeds.

Herb Garden

In May the families (and anyone else who wants to join in) had a go at growing their own salad bowl  and in June everyone is being asked to grow a herb garden.

So what do you think? Will you give it a go? Herbs were the very first plants that I grew in my tiny mid-terraced garden many years ago. They need very little maintenance and there’s nothing better than snipping a few fresh leaves and adding them to your cooking pot.