why grow your own

[chefgage]

Started off as just a bit of a hobby but I soon realised how much better own grown veg is

[Feral007]

I like the flavour, so much better. Tastes better too when it's been a b**ch to grow

I also don't like things added to the ground too much, and all the other stuff they do to it to keep it going. We don't have apples this year because that didn't do well, but there's always next year.

My boys are enjoying it, my daughter is happy to race out and pick things for me, but she's more the horsey type. One of the boys is hellbent on having a food forest. There's worse things a teenage boy could want
And I do find it really relaxing, and let's the world and work stresses settle by connecting with the ground and how things grow.

[Andromeda]

Had to vote 'other' because my reasons don't fit neatly into 1 category.

Saves money, tastes better, absolutely fresh, no (or very little) waste, organic, gets me outside and away from my computer, good exercise, gratifying to see people eating what I've grown.

[eirish]

Because I've realised that my style of cooking revolves around veg and I find the over-scrubbed, plastic-wrapped, often-grown-across-the-world supermarket offerings completely uninspiring. And without that inspiration, I can't be bothered to cook. If I still had access to a really good farmers' market or a good local box scheme I might not be that bothered about growing veg, except for the few things that really do taste that much better for being picked and eaten immediately (peas!).

Herbs, on the other hand, I've tried to grow nearly everywhere I've lived, even when it was just a few on a windowsill. They're just lovely things to have around, to look at and to smell, and I like having them at hand when needed.

[rinabean]

For me it's partly because I want to eat organic British veg and it's so expensive, partly because I like gardening and the outdoors in general, but mostly because I literally have nothing better to do with my time and at least it's something useful to be getting up to.

[Snadger]

How long have you got?

I just do it!

[Florence Fennel]

Must admit, I was tempted to say "Because I can", but unless you're a Big Bang fan, I thought you might not understand, so I didn't

[greenishfing]

Quite simply the taste. Nothing can beat the first ,just dug up, new potatoes, or fresh picked warm tomatoes, or sun warmed tasty strawberries.

[Uber-Uncool]

It's more effective and beneficial than therapy.

[bearded bloke]

For lots of reasons but mostly because of the smile my Mrs gets when saying "can you pop down the veg shop & get ........................."