All the rumours are true. Here at ooffoo we’re beginning to resemble characters from The Good Life!
As per other blogs that have been posted on ooffoo, and judging by the MULTI-multitude of other articles being published around the world every week, “Growing Your Own” seems never to have been more relevant than now.
For our money, starting to grow fruit and vegetables at home, even on a small scale, is right up there on the list of “green practices” we can embark on in pursuit of a healthier economy, ecologically more respectful living, physical well being and stronger communities.
If you are in any way considering dusting off the trowel, you might be interested to know that at 7pm on Tuesday, December 2nd, we hosted a free, live webcast, in association with the VegBox Recipes Team, to provide some straightforward guidance to help you get started.
We were joined by writer, broadcaster, ooffoo-ist and veritable eco-hero Penney Poyzer, who dispelled some of the myths surrounding the GYO lifestyle choice, and shared priceless “How To” tips for beginners.
A large group of ‘ooffers’ rang in to support, listen and learn from Penney and some incredible useful questions were asked. And answered!
A summary of Penney’s top tips, a digest of other essential resources, and a "get started" list of what to do first / next is available here.
You can listen to the recording of the call by clicking here.
We hope you are as inspired as we were.
The ooffoo Team
To help you get started
Here is a selection of products from the gardening section of the Natural Collection catalogue that you might like:
patio planters, ready-to-plant vegetable seedlings, no-dig potatoes for patios
About Penney Poyzer
Penney Poyzer is an author, broadcaster, trainer and campaigner specialising in the communication of green issues.
She is co-owner of the Nottingham ecohome, a pioneering eco retrofit of a Victorian semi in Nottingham. She and her husband green architect Gil Schalom have lectured extensively on their home and the issues surrounding our existing housing stock. Their ecohome has been cited as an exemplar and has been featured in many case studies, hundreds of media articles and formed the basis of dozens of dissertations. She is mentor to a number of PhD students and green business entrepreneurs.
She presented BBC2’s ‘No Waste like Home’ which has been broadcast on four continents. She is also author of two books with a third out in 2009.
She is a regular guest on TV and radio and frequently appears as panellist at conferences talking on a wide range of green issues. Penney is an advisor to several strategic organsiations including the Environment Agency.
She is a Matron, Patron and trustee of several green charities.
Penney is 48 and lives with husband Gil and toddler Jasmine. Penney also has Lucy, her grown up daughter and her two children. Penney is a happy, busy granny working hard with others to hand our children a planet worth inheriting.
Categories: food
Really enjoyed the webcast, practical, good humoured and encouraging. Catch it on the replay if you haven’t heard it yet.
Hi Ken, yes it was fab wasn’t it. A must listen for anyone embarking on the grow your own adventure
I managed to miss the live cast on Tuesday but have just finished listening to the replay which was jam packed full of extremely useful tips and advice. Have to say it was even better than Gardeners’ Question Time (!) as it was entirely relevant to organic and sustainable growers. Thanks to everyone involved in producing this invaluable resource. Will it be a regular feature on ooffoo or VBR?
Thanks Racheblue, it was good and the summary sheet is worth its weight in pumpkin
As for it being something regular well, we would be crazy not to so keep your eyes on ooffoo, lots of nice surprises ahead 
We’re delighted to let you all know that this article was featured in the “Nature, Conservation and Green Living Tips” blog carnival this month. The carnival was hosted by “Making a Difference”. You can visit it here: http://www.nithyanandam.net/bc3.htm. We hope it does indeed Make a Difference… How’s the growing going, folks?
There were some great tips in this podcast and it’s a good time for us to re-read / re-listen through the tips at this time of year. so far we have four potatoes in the ground, but we’re hoping to get some more things in during this week! What is everyone else growing this year?