Growing my Own Plants — Here’s What i’ve Learned So Far

Growing my own plants started as a small curiosity, but it quickly grew into something more meaningful.

Spending time at my Bebe ji’s ( grandmas) house and helping her out with the garden, opened my eyes to how rewarding it can be. She had been gardening for years—watching her work with care, patience and joy made me want to give it a go.

With gardening it gave me a sense of duty as a woman, it is a way to be nurturing, patient and grateful. Its a symbol of responsibility, and purpose.

At first I wanted to learn more and discover the possibilities but I didn’t know where to start. With the help of my bebe jis guidance and a little help from the internet I got a rough idea of where to begin. I’m still learning, still making mistakes but I’m exited to share what I’ve learned so far.

This isn’t a how to guide—more my experience of what has worked for me, and what I’m still figuring out.

Choosing Seeds and Where I Got Them

Most of my seeds came from my local supermarket where they can be easily found and affordable. But when planting with my Bebeji, we used seeds she had got from India on her travels. This might have made a difference—maybe it’s the quality or just the love and care she puts into it.

Some of the seeds I used were from vegetables at home that had spouted, like potatoes that started growing shoots. This is a good way to save on waste and try growing from scraps.

Choosing the right seeds also depends on what you want to grow and when. In early march I had helped my gran plant coriander, spinach and potatoes seeds. By June, when the weather is warmer in the UK, they had fully developed and were ready for harvest.

Planting seeds is a great option if you want to grow something from the beginning. However, it requires a lot of patience and time. If you’re looking for a quicker solution you can also buy young plants that have already sprouted. This is often easier and can give you a head start.

Always check the back of the seed packet before planting. This will provide the exact information you need and details on planting depth, spacing distance, sunlight requirements, and water needs.

Finding Something to Put Them in

There are lots of different pots and containers to start growing plants, but basic household items work just as well. Things like yogurt pots, egg cartons or food containers can be reused as seed starters.

For my setup I used a plastic seedling tray with 10 spaces to grow my seeds but for plants I wanted more quantity of like potatoes, I grew in a patch in my garden.

Planting in a part of the garden that gets a good amount of sunshine has worked best for me. It’s essential that the soil is moist and rich. This created the perfect environment and conditions for my seeds to sprout and grow well.

Picking the Soil

When growing my own plants choosing the right soil was key. I found that multiple-purpose compost was the easiest and more reliable to start with. It worked especially well for seedlings in pots, providing a good balance of nutrients and helping creating a healthy environment for roots to grow.

It was also very quick and easy to use— just open the bag and fill your containers—making the whole process more manageable.

If you’re interested in a more sustainable option, starting your own compost bin is a great idea. Food scraps like fruit and vegetable peelings can break down into rich, fertile soil overtime. It’s a good way to reduce household waste, and build up your own supply of nutrient dense compost for future planting.

Where I Put Them

My grandmother told me the best place to put seedlings is somewhere were they can get plenty of sunlight. Somewhere with warmth and good air conditioning, like a greenhouse effect. Warm slightly humid conditions help the seeds spout, while airflow prevents mold and keeps the plant healthy.

I placed my seedlings in a conservatory, where they get lots of natural sunlight and stay fairly warm throughout the day. but if you don’t have a conservatory, a sunny kitchen window cill or a sheltered stop in the garden will work just as well. If you’re keeping them outside Just make sure to regularly check for pests and any sign of damage.

How I’m Watering Them

When I first started watering my seeds, I didn’t follow an exact rule—I just tried to keep the soil moist without overdoing it. I had read that many people recommended 1-2 inches of water per week but honestly, I guessed based on how the soil felt.

In the first few days I made sure the compost was damp but not soaked, but after a week I started watering every other day. Some of the seedlings outside didn’t need as much as they were getting naturally watered by the rain.

Around this time I noticed the first spouts—coriander and spinach came up quite quickly. The potatoes took a little longer but eventually started to show signs of growth too.

What’s Happening so far?

So far we have already had a small harvest of coriander and spinach that I was able to chop and use in meals. It was really satisfying to cook with something id grown myself. the potatoes are taking longer, which is expected. Most varieties take around 90 to 120 days to fully mature, and usually spout within 2-3 weeks after planting, depending on soil conditions.

I’ve also started growing chilies, beetroot and corn. Some of the seedlings—especially the beetroot—have started to spout, but not all of them have come up yet. I’m checking in regularly to check their process.

From what I’ve learned so far, different plants have different timelines so a big part of this process is just being patient and observing how things grow overtime.

What I still don’t know about growing my own plants?

I’m still a beginner in gardening and I don’t expect myself to know everything right away about growing my own plants. Most of what I’ve learned has come from trial and error—and I’m sure that’s how I’ll keep leaning. But if your someone who has been putting of growing your own plants I encourage you to give it a go. Just start and see what happens.

There is something really rewarding in watching something grow from a little seed into food you can actually cook and eat. It’s a slow process but it teaches you patience, care and appreciation for where things come from. I’ve been grateful to have the knowledge of my bebe ji guide me through the basics.

So grab a few seeds, dig up some soil and start planting. You don’t need a big garden or fancy tools—just a bit of willingness and curiosity to try.

If you have been gardening for a while or have tips you’ve picked up along the way, I’d love to hear them. What works for you? What should I try next?

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