Growing Your Own This Spring with Ema Shortel
From her rural home on the Isle of Skye, Ema Shortel (@WeeHappySoul) is starting her journey into growing fruit and vegetables for the very first time – and Spring is the perfect moment to begin.
If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the idea of growing your own food, this is your sign to keep it simple and just get started.
Tips from Ema
Ema’s video walks you through super easy and affordable tips that make a measurable difference. Here’s what she covers:
| Tip | What Ema suggests | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy vegetables that can be sown directly outside | Carrots, Radishes, Turnips, Lettuce | Ema planted her carrot seeds in free-draining soil to prevent waterlogging and allow the roots to breathe. Keep the soil consistently moist and you could be harvesting carrots in 12–16 weeks. |
| Warmer-season crops can be started indoors | Tomatoes, Peppers, Spinach, Basil, Coriander | Using a lightweight, sterile compost and a seed tray, Ema sowed two to three tomato seeds per cell under a shallow layer of compost. A gentle mist from a spray bottle keeps the soil moist without overwatering delicate seedlings. |
Start Small, Grow More
Growing your own doesn’t have to be complicated. A few seeds, some soil and a bit of patience can go a long way - especially for those living rurally or off-grid. For more practical guides and seasonal advice, explore the Beyond the Grid Hub from Certas Energy and take the next step in your growing journey.
