Grow, harvest, eat

Herbs are versatile ingredients that can add a fresh touch, a burst of flavour or an attractive decoration to dishes and drinks. Classics like parsley and dill, but also mint and wild garlic, can be used as delicious seasoning – just like their Mediterranean counterparts, basil, and sage. It is so simple to add a handful of leaves to a dish or sprinkle them on top as a garnish:  

• Tarragon and grated orange zest can be mixed in a lovely BBQ herb butter.    
• Fresh mint and a slice of lemon can liven up still or sparkling water. 
• Rosemary is a delicious addition to roast potatoes and chicken – and homemade strawberry jam if chopped finely enough. 
• Chervil, dill, cress and other herbs can be added to a herby salad, dressing or dip. 
• Basil, parsley, or sage are perfect for pesto. 
• The German classic, Frankfurt Green Sauce, features seven herbs: salad burnet, borage, cress, chives, parsley, sorrel, and chervil. 

Herb plants do not take up much space and they are not too fussy when it comes to their location. Plants grow better when they are grouped together based on the amount of water and light they need. This approach can also save time and water when it comes to watering them. Herbs can thrive in beds and plant pots and on balconies, windowsills, and patios. They can be collected using harvesting scissors like the GripCut with their clever holding function or the HerbCut, which can be used to cut woody herbs and remove their leaves.  

Fresh and seasonal 
Space is not an issue when it comes to growing fresh vegetables. Tomatoes can be grown in pots, while the likes of peas, beans and cucumbers take up even less space because they grow vertically. Some vegetables even look pretty as they grow – like runner beans with their attractive flowers. Freshly picked vegetables taste delicious and do not require much preparation. Fresh peas taste wonderful when simply blanched with a little butter and salt. Lettuce is a safe bet for even the most impatient gardeners with limited space available because it can be grown in a window box and served up in a salad in a matter of weeks. Growing vegetables at home is possible all year round, with peppers as one example that will thrive in a pot during the winter when placed in a spot that gets plenty of light. The FreshCut secateurs come in handy for harvesting vegetables as does the VeggieCut harvesting knife, which can be used to clean and peel them too. 

Gardeners can enjoy the fruit they grow in their own garden while it is as fresh as can be. And fruit fans living in the city or anywhere with limited space do not have to miss out. Big tubs will do the job for cherries, apples, berries and even kiwis. It is best to go for self-pollinating and slow-growing varieties that grow up and not out like pillar fruit trees. A garden that truly delivers is one filled with a variety of fruits to cover all seasons. Strawberries start off the year, with blueberries, cherries and apricots sweetening the summer and apples ripening all the way up to October. Fruit is deliciously juicy when picked and eaten fresh. It can also be used in home-made jams, cakes, desserts, ice creams and even savoury dishes. 

1 How much fruit and vegetables do you eat daily?