From Dirt to Dinner: How to Grow Food, Feed Pollinators, and Feel Smug About It
- Greg
- Apr 3
- 10 min read
If you’ve been following my Rewilding Rainford journey, you’ll know I’m all about bringing biodiversity back into our gardens. But rewilding isn’t just about letting things run wild and hoping for the best—it can also mean growing your own food in a way that supports pollinators, improves soil health, and makes your little patch of the world a better place.
Gardening has always been a big deal in my house. My wife and her brother are obsessed—and I don’t mean in a casual, “Oh, I quite like plants” way. No, I mean competitive gardening warfare. Every year, they go head-to-head in an strange sweet pea growing contest, swapping techniques, trading seeds like they’re running some underground gardening syndicate, and sneakily measuring each other’s plants when they think the other isn’t looking. I pretend to stay neutral, but honestly, I love listening to them chat about what they’re growing. There’s something wholesome about the way they share advice, tips, and the occasional bit of mock outrage when a plant underperforms.
And that’s the thing about gardening—it’s not just about what you grow, it’s about the experience of growing, whether it’s food for yourself, flowers for the bees, or a bit of both. The best part? You don’t need acres of land or a perfect green thumb to get started. Whether you have a garden, a balcony, or just a sunny windowsill, you can grow herbs, veggies, and pollinator-friendly plants while creating a little haven for wildlife.
So, if you fancy growing something delicious while doing your bit for nature, here’s how to turn your space into a productive paradise—for you and the creatures that call it home! 🌱🐝
Composting for Beginners: Turning Waste into Garden Gold
“So, Greg, you barbarous ecowarrior, how do we get started?” I hear you ask.
“Delicious dirt…” is what I would reply, while affecting a manly pose.
Now, I have to say that because of the aforementioned brother-in-law and his obsession with the stuff. He moved in with his missus a few years back to help her renovate the rather knackered building. After they had redone the living room, bathroom, two bedrooms and god knows how much structural work, they invited us around to have a nosey (as you do). As we entered, Adam popped his head in through the back door of the building, smeared in all sorts of outdoor humours, and the first thing he said to us was “Katherine, come look at me compost!” before disappearing again…
Healthy soil is the foundation of any successful garden, and the best way to improve it is with homemade compost. Instead of sending food scraps and garden waste to landfill—where they aren't helping anyone and are just taking up precious space—composting recycles nutrients and reduces household waste while improving soil health. It’s an easy and effective way to help both your garden and the environment.
You might be thinking, “Why not just grab a bag of compost from the garden centre?” And sure, shop-bought compost is convenient, but many of these contain peat, and that’s where things get a little murky. Peatlands are some of the most carbon-rich ecosystems on Earth, storing vast amounts of carbon and providing a unique habitat for wildlife. The problem? Peat extraction releases all that stored carbon back into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change and destroying precious habitats for plants, insects, and birds. Not exactly the best trade-off for a bag of compost.
The good news? You don’t need peat-based compost to grow an incredible garden. In fact, making your own compost at home not only reduces waste but usually produces far better results than the stuff off the shelf. Unlike commercial compost, which can be overly processed and sometimes lacking in key nutrients, homemade compost is packed full of organic goodness, improving soil structure, increasing moisture retention, and boosting beneficial microbes that keep your plants thriving.
Please note, if you are not wanting to make your own compost then I highly recommend looking for peat free compost at garden centres.
How to Start Composting
Choose Your Bin: A simple compost heap works fine, but if space is limited, a compost bin or tumbler speeds up the process and keeps things tidy.
Balance Your Ingredients:
Greens (Nitrogen): Fruit and veg scraps, grass clippings, coffee grounds, tea bags (check if they’re plastic-free!).
Browns (Carbon): Dry leaves, shredded cardboard, paper towels, sawdust (from untreated wood).
Reduce Food Waste First: Before composting, try to reduce waste by planning meals and using leftovers creatively. Composting should be the last step in a sustainable kitchen.
Keep It Aerated: Turn your compost every couple of weeks to keep it from smelling and to speed up decomposition.
Moisture Matters: The pile should be damp, like a wrung-out sponge. Too dry? Add greens. Too wet? Add more browns.
Be Patient! Depending on conditions, compost can take a few months to a year to fully break down.
Composting Tip: Avoid adding cooked food, dairy, or meat, as they can attract pests. Eggshells, however, are great for adding calcium to the mix!
Using your own compost means healthier soil, stronger plants, and less waste—a win-win for you and for nature. However, composting doesn’t always go smoothly, and you might run into some common issues. Here’s how to fix them:
Compost too wet and slimy? Add more browns like shredded cardboard, dry leaves, or sawdust to absorb moisture and balance the mix.
Compost too dry and not breaking down? Sprinkle in some water and add more greens like vegetable scraps or grass clippings.
Smelly compost? This usually means there’s too much nitrogen-rich material (greens). Mix in more browns and turn the pile to aerate it.
Pests in the compost? Avoid adding meat, dairy, or cooked food, and always cover fresh scraps with a layer of browns to discourage rodents and flies.
Not breaking down fast enough? Chop up larger scraps before adding them and turn the pile regularly to speed up decomposition.
With the right balance, your compost will soon become a rich, earthy material that your plants will love. And speaking of plants, let’s talk about one of the easiest and most rewarding things to grow—herbs!
Growing Your Own Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide
Fresh herbs make everything taste better, and they’re one of the easiest things to grow, even in small spaces. Plus, many herbs are great for pollinators, offering nectar-rich flowers that attract bees and butterflies.
Best Herbs to Grow (and How to Use Them!
Basil (Sow in spring) – Great in salads and pasta dishes. Loves warmth and grows well on a sunny windowsill.
Thyme (Sow in spring or autumn) – A tough, drought-resistant herb perfect for soups and roasted veg. Pollinators love its tiny flowers.
Mint (Sow in spring) – Grows like crazy, so keep it in a pot! Great for tea, salads, and cooling summer drinks.
Lavender (Plant anytime) – Lavender is one of the best plants for bees, providing nectar even in dry conditions. Plus, it’s great for homemade teas and desserts.
Chives (Sow in spring) – Easy to grow and great for adding a mild onion flavour to dishes. The purple flowers are loved by bees. My wife enjoys grabbing a shoot to nibble on while perusing her garden.
Rosemary (Plant anytime) – A hardy, drought-resistant herb that thrives in well-draining soil. It’s great for roasts and loved by pollinators.
Sage (Sow in spring) – This fragrant herb attracts bees and adds depth to many dishes.
Dill (Sow in spring or early summer) – Produces delicate flowers that attract beneficial insects like hoverflies.
How to Grow Herbs: Step-by-Step
Choose the Right Spot: Most herbs love full sun, so pick a bright windowsill, balcony, or garden spot with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Pick the Right Soil: Herbs thrive in well-draining soil. A mix of compost and sand or perlite works best for Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage.
Sow the Seeds or Plant Cuttings: Some herbs (like basil and chives) are easy to grow from seed, while others (like mint and rosemary) do better when grown from cuttings.
Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Most herbs only need watering once or twice a week, though pots dry out faster and may need more frequent watering in summer.
Harvest Regularly: Snipping off leaves encourages herbs to grow bushier. Never take more than a third of the plant at once.
Even if you only have a small space, a few herb pots on a windowsill or balcony can provide fresh flavours for your cooking and a feeding station for pollinators. And if you have room for a little more, why not try growing some vegetables that support both you and local wildlife?
Growing Vegetables for Pollinators: The Best Crops for Bees & Butterflies
When we think of vegetable gardens, we often focus on what’s good for us. But some vegetables are also fantastic for pollinators, ensuring that bees and butterflies thrive while helping increase your harvest. Plus, growing your own food means fresher, tastier produce and a deeper connection with nature.
Best Vegetables for Pollinators
Runner Beans (Sow in spring) – Their bright red flowers are a magnet for bees, and they produce a bountiful crop.
Courgettes & Pumpkins (Sow in late spring) – Their large, open flowers provide easy access to pollen for bees.
Tomatoes (Start indoors in early spring) – While wind-pollinated, they attract bumblebees, which ‘buzz pollinate’ tomatoes—vibrating their wings at just the right frequency to release pollen, improving your harvest..
Strawberries (Plant in early spring) – Loved by bees and butterflies alike, and who doesn’t love homegrown strawberries?
Carrots & Parsnips (Sow in early spring) – If left to flower in their second year, they provide nectar for a variety of insects.
Building Raised Beds and Planters
Ever since Kat moved in with me in 2016, raised beds have been a non-negotiable in our garden. She absolutely adores them, and when we moved again in 2019, she demanded more—and bigger—beds, which I, of course, gladly built for her. At this point, I think if we ever move again, I’ll be drafting up blueprints for raised beds before we’ve even unpacked!
And honestly? She’s onto something. Raised beds and planters are a game-changer, whether you're working with limited space, tricky soil, or just want a more organised growing area. They improve drainage, reduce weeds, and help keep pests at bay, all while making gardening easier on your back—something future me will definitely appreciate.
So, if you fancy giving raised beds a go, here’s how to build your own and create the perfect home for your veggies, flowers, and pollinator-friendly plants.
How to Build a Simple Raised Bed:
Choose Your Location: The first thing to do is pick a sunny spot. Anything under six hours of sunlight, and you’ll end up with vegetables that look like they’re surviving on coffee and sheer willpower.
Select Materials: Use untreated wood, bricks, or recycled materials. Avoid pressure-treated wood as it may contain chemicals harmful to plants.
Build the Frame: A simple rectangle, 6-12 inches deep, is enough for most vegetables. Secure the corners with screws or brackets.
Fill with Soil: Use a mix of compost, topsoil, and organic matter to provide nutrients for healthy plant growth.
Start Planting! Choose pollinator-friendly vegetables and flowers, and water them regularly.
If you prefer a container garden, DIY planters can be made from upcycled pallets, barrels, buckets, or even old bathtubs if you’re feeling different. Hanging baskets and vertical wall planters are also great for small spaces.
Useful DIY Guides:
Making the Most of Your Raised Beds with Companion Planting
Kat doesn’t believe in wasted space when it comes to gardening. Every inch of her raised beds is packed to the brim, and rather than neat, orderly rows, what you’ll find is beautifully controlled chaos—a jungle of vegetables, herbs, and flowers all growing together in what looks like a plant-based free-for-all. But there’s method in the madness. This is companion planting at its finest.
The idea is simple: certain plants grow better together. Some provide shade, others act as natural pest deterrents, and some just make each other taste better (which sounds ridiculous but is absolutely true… looking at you, basil and tomatoes). By mixing the right plants, you can boost growth, attract beneficial insects, and reduce the need for chemical pest control. It’s a win for you, a win for your plants, and a win for the wildlife visiting your garden.
Of course, it does take a little getting used to. If you’re someone who likes straight, symmetrical planting, this method might send your inner perfectionist into meltdown. But trust me, once you see how well everything thrives together, you’ll never go back to rigid, single crop planting again.
Here are some great companion planting ideas to get you started:
Basil & Tomatoes – Basil repels aphids and enhances tomato growth.
Carrots & Onions – Onions help deter carrot flies.
Lettuce & Radishes – Radishes grow quickly, loosening the soil for lettuce roots.
Pumpkins & Sweetcorn – Corn provides natural support for pumpkin vines.
Marigolds & Any Vegetable – Marigolds deter pests and attract pollinators.
Planting flowers like calendula, borage, and nasturtiums alongside your vegetables can also attract pollinators while repelling harmful pests.
Other Delicious Vegetables to Grow
Not every vegetable is a pollinator magnet, but some are so tasty they’re worth growing anyway! Here are a few easy and rewarding crops to add to your garden:
Potatoes (Plant in early spring) – A staple crop that’s easy to grow in containers or raised beds.
Peppers (Start indoors in early spring) – Great for adding a kick to your cooking!
Spinach & Kale (Sow in early spring or autumn) – Nutritious leafy greens that grow well in cooler temperatures.
Garlic (Plant in autumn) – Easy to grow and adds loads of flavour to dishes.
Sweetcorn (Sow in late spring) – Nothing beats the taste of homegrown corn!
Aubergines & Courgettes (Sow in spring) – Great for roasting, grilling, and adding to summer meals.
Beetroot (Sow in spring or autumn) – Earthy, sweet, and full of nutrients.
Whether you’re planting to attract pollinators, grow your own food, or both, a mix of vegetables, flowers, and herbs will keep your garden thriving. And when combined with composting, sustainable gardening practices, and thoughtful plant pairings, your garden will become a flourishing haven for both you and local wildlife!
Bringing It All Together: Your Garden, Your Impact
Whether you’re planting to attract pollinators, grow your own food, or both, a mix of vegetables, flowers, and herbs will keep your garden thriving. And when combined with composting, sustainable gardening practices, and thoughtful plant pairings, your garden will become a flourishing haven for both you and local wildlife.
But why stop there? If you’re passionate about rewilding and creating a greener future, Rewilding Rainford is the perfect opportunity to make a real impact. Whether you start a wildflower patch, build a bee hotel, or simply plant a few extra pollinator-friendly herbs, every small action adds up. Imagine a Rainford where gardens, parks, and verges are buzzing with bees, fluttering with butterflies, and bursting with life—together, we can make it happen.
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