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Sow and save – recycle in the garden for recycle week, says NS&I

30 May 2008

During Recycle Week (from 2 June 2008), NS&I is encouraging people to grow their own vegetables and save money by recycling old containers to double up your savings.

Growing your own vegetables, herbs or salads is cheap and easy, even in a small outside space or in a city flat. Make sure you double-up your savings by reusing old containers and pots from around the house, instead of buying special seed pots or growing trays.  Take a look around your home or workplace and you’ll be surprised by what you can reuse or recycle for gardening - the only limit is your imagination.

NS&I's top tips for garden saving in Recycle Week:

  • Use old plastic pots, such as milk cartons or soft drinks bottles, for growing seeds in. Just poke a few holes in the bottom for drainage, and then add compost and seeds!
  • Get creative with plant pots - why just use obvious shaped pots when old boots, shoes and even basins can make quirky additions to the garden or windowsill?
  • Make your own compost from kitchen and garden waste with a composting bin or a wormery. This saves money on buying compost, and cuts down on household waste.
  • Make seed incubators to protect seedlings from harsh weather by cutting the bottoms off old plastic bottles and pressing them into the ground above seeds and seedlings.
  • Use old plastic knives and a permanent marker instead of buying special plastic plant markers.
  • Plastic bags can be cut up to make great plant ties.

John Prout, Sales and Retention Director at NS&I, said: "Growing your own vegetables is a great way to save money and the environment, and Recycle Week presents the perfect opportunity to combine it with another great money-saving activity. NS&I has been helping the nation save for over 100 years, and we hope these tips will inspire people to think about saving money as well as the environment."

This year’s Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Grow Your Own Veg campaign, sponsored by NS&I, highlights the fact that anyone can grow their own veg, whether it be a small lettuce in a recycled container on your desk, or cauliflowers in an old bucket outside.

For further information regarding the campaign or events being held at each of the gardens, and to sign up for the e-newsletter, visit the Grow Your Own Veg website at http://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/  or visit www.nsandi.com/rhs.

For more extensive advice on container growing and recycling, visit http://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/advice/containers2.asp.

Media team
NS&I has a number of spokespeople available for interviews and our experienced radio team is available via our ISDN line: 020 7602 4522.

The numbers below are for media use only. Customers wishing to contact NS&I can find details here.

Gill Stephens 020 7348 9449
gill.stephens@nsandi.com
Iman Asante 020 7348 9301
iman.asante@nsandi.com
Angela Mason 020 7348 9433
angela.mason@nsandi.com

ISDN for interviews
020 7602 4522

Out of hours
All numbers above diverted to staffed mobile phones
 

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