We all know that we should be trying to eat organic fruit and vegetables, but it's not always that easy to get hold of organic produce, and how can we be sure that the food we are eating is really free from chemical pesticides and fertilizers? The answer is simple... grow your own.

This series of articles will explain the benefits of growing your own herbs, fruit and vegetables, giving advice on organic alternatives where possible, provide some projects to get you inspired, as well as lots of other useful gardening information.

By growing your own herbs, fruit and vegetables you can be sure that:

• you know exactly what is (or isn't) in the food you feed your family
• you can have nutritionally superior and tastier produce at a fraction of the price of a supermarket
• gardening is relaxing and stress-relieving, not to mention great exercise
• your children will learn where food really comes from

Anyone can start growing their own produce; you do not need a large garden. Herbs and salad leaves can be grown on a windowsill or in pots outside. All you need to start your own organic garden is a few pots, some seeds, and a few basic tools. It is advisable to buy organic seeds where possible; as these are produced from organically grown plants and have no chemicals used on them before or after harvest. A good source for purchasing reliable organic seeds is www.organiccatalogue.com.

It is greatly rewarding going into your own garden and picking a tomato or lettuce to eat that you have grown yourself.