Theoretically, you can grow vegetables anywhere there’s sunlight. As long as you have that, the smallest surface will do, from awindow-sill or balcony to a few pots at the back door. In fact, the smaller you start, the less overwhelming the project will feel and the smaller the loss in case of a failed crop.
Since we published our (Afrikaans) book about starting a vegetable garden, we’ve heard from several readers who’ve thrown in the towel after one disastrous season, often because they were a little too ambitious at the start. We also felt like giving up in the first year or two, but through trial and error you learn what won’t grow in your garden or tends to fall victim to pests. And we made our peace with the fact that the only plants that grow in Koringberg in midsummer are herbs.
The other question that often comes up in readers’ letters (most likely after a failed harvest) is whether growing your own vegetables is really cheaper than buying them at a grocery store.
In our experience, first-time vegetable gardeners are often astonished at how much time, dedication and patience – rather than money – a food garden
