We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Chris Bonnett is the founder of Gardening Express
As the cost of living continues to rise, households are on the lookout for ways to save cash on their monthly food expenses. Cash-strapped families could look to family favourite vegetables, salad and herbs they can grow themselves rather than heading to the supermarket. Believe it or not, you can grow lots of food yourself even during the colder, dark months and if you’re growing it yourself, it saves that expense at the supermarket.
The latest ONS data show the cost of staples like onions, potatoes and apples have all risen considerably over the last 18 months. So how do you go about growing your own food during the autumn and winter months?
The key is knowing the crops which will thrive despite the chiller conditions – and having a very sunny windowsill that acts as a greenhouse. If you’re successful, you’ll have a bountiful crop to start enjoying next year, reducing how much you’re spending in your food shop.
Garlic
Garlic loves a cold snap so plant out now ready for a tasty harvest next year. It’s best to plant in pots in well drained soil.
READ MORE: ‘Can save you money’: Best leftover foods to make ‘cheap’ natural plant fertiliser
Chris Bonnett, founder of Gardening Express, explained how to grow vegetables (Image: GETTY)
Believe it or not, you can grow lots of food yourself even during the colder, dark months (Image: GETTY)
Onions
Plant these now and you’ll be eating these onions in early summer. These are a low maintenance vegetable to grow – a little bit of weeding is pretty much all you’ll need to do. Do plant in a well-drained, sunny spot. Onions do not thrive in waterlogged soil.
Broad Beans
These can be sowed now but they will need protection from really cold weather. Try using fleece or cloches. These will be ready to harvest early next year and make a great veg for beginners to plant.
DON’T MISS
‘Perfect time’ for winter scent – 10 plants to sow now [EXPERT]
Why we should prepare soil in autumn and how to do it [GARDEN]
‘Common misconception’ that could kill your lawn this winter [WARNING] 
Gardening planner: When to plant and harvest your veg (Image: EXPRESS.CO.UK)
Spring cabbages
These need planting in November and will only need protective fleece if the temperature is extremely low. Do cover them with a net or frame – spring cabbages are a tasty meal for hungry birds and wildlife during the winter.
Lettuce
This is a great salad vegetable to grow from a windowsill. You’ll only need to pick what you want to eat rather than buying a whole lettuce from the supermarket, saving money and food waste. And it’ll taste delicious.
Founder of Gardening Express Chris Bonnett (Image: EXPRESS.CO.UK)
Herbs
Herbs will thrive in a sunny windowsill throughout the chilly months. Plant favourites like parsley, basil, dill and chives. You’ll have fresh herbs for any dishes you’re cooking – and you’ll enjoy the lovely aroma they produce.
Peppers
You can grow these from the seeds you’d normally throw away when you cut up a pepper. Place them on a damp kitchen towel in a warm or sunny part of your house and let them sprout. It takes around three weeks for them to germinate. You can do the same with chillies.
See today’s front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.