I’ve always liked the idea of growing a few fruit and vegetables in since moving to Spain. Now, I don’t have a huge plot of land in the country. In fact, quite the opposite, so anything I grow has got to be suitable for a small urban garden.
If you’re going to grown your food, then it might as well be ‘Super Food’. Not only will you get a tremendous amount of pride knowing that you grew the stuff that ended up on your plate, but also everything you’re eating doing you and your family some serious good.
1) Red grapes
Grapes are a great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B1 and Vtamin B6. That aside, they are delicious, juicy sweet gems that are a great snack. I haven’t made wine with them yet, but the thought has crossed my mind. The skin of the red grape contains an anti oxidant, anti inflamatory and anti cancer property called Resveratrol.
Growing your own grapes is easy. They take up very little space and will fit in well with any spare border in your garden. If you have a fence or pergola, even better as the grapes will climb really well. Lots of sunshine and regular watering is all that’s required to get juicy, sweet and plump home grown grapes.
2) Tomatoes
Tomatoes rightfully take a place on the Super Foods table because they contain one of the most powerful anti oxidants around. Lycopene really fires up the immune system and helps protect us from many cancer. When you cook the Tomatoe the Lycopene becomes even more concentrated. So your home made pasta sauces are both delicious and very good for you.
You don’t need much space to grow your own tomatoes, just enough room for a grow bag and a light spot to grow the seedlings. Check out this guide to growing your own tomatoes >>
3) Garlic
In addition to fending off vampires, these little bulbs of fragrant joy will help lower your cholesterol and help to prevent your arteries clogging up. Garlic is one of the easiest things you can grow in your garden. You just need some soil and a sunny spot in your garden. Just break up a Garlic bulb and plant the cloves about four inches apart and one inch down. Makes sure the cloves are planted upright and that’s it.
If you just can’t face the garlic breath there are some supplements available that come in capsule form. You still get all the goodness, but not the breath.
4) Onions
Onions have similar health benefits to Garlic. They grow really well in Spain, which is why most UK supermarkets import almost all their onions from here. Onions can be grown from seed but I find it easier to grow from sets, which are easily obtained from your local garden centre. Here’s a good guide on how to grow onions at home>>
5) Chillies
Chillies contain more vitamin A than Carrots and they even contain more Vitamin C than Oranges. Chillies also contain a substance called Capsaicin which can improve your circulation and help your body to release endorphins that can give you a real natural high. Take a trip down to your local garden centre and you’ll find many different varieties that you can grow at home. Spain introduced Chillies to the world, so growing them here is super simple. Here’s a good post by someone who has grown Chillies at home>>
