Searches for ‘how to grow food at home’ up 102% year-on-year

Potatoes, garlic and avocado were the foods that the people of Ireland wanted to grow most

Retail

23 February 2023

With the cost of groceries continuing to rise, searches for ‘how to grow food’ have increased by 102% over the past year. A 2017 study conducted by Bord Bia found that nearly one in five (19%) people in Ireland grow their own food.

To find the most sought-after foods, HelloFresh Ireland analysed Google search data for searches relating to homegrown produce. The data revealed that potatoes, garlic and avocado were the foods that the people of Ireland wanted to grow most. This was followed by sweet peas, tomatoes, onions, pumpkins, brussels sprouts, peanuts and mushrooms rounding out the top ten.

“Out of all the sought-after foods to grow at home, potatoes, garlic and tomatoes are definitely the easiest,” said head of culinary at HelloFresh Ireland, Hannah Duxberry. “Though potatoes need a bit more room than the others, this sturdy vegetable can withstand tougher weather conditions, plus they don’t require too much attention. What’s more, you don’t even need a garden to grow potatoes – they actually grow really well in a clean bin with lots of nutrient-rich soil.

“Tomatoes are another super easy vegetable to grow and can even be grown in the likes of small apartments, with very little space on offer. They need to be a little warmer, so they’re best grown indoors near a large window – but they can grow vertically in a tomato cage, so you can pop them in a corner without having to worry about them taking up too much room. Tomato plants are also very cost-efficient with a pack of seeds only costing on around €1 compared to a mature plant which will set you back around €5.

“Similarly, garlic is another plant that doesn’t require much maintenance or space but is an essential ingredient for any keen cook. In fact, this one’s great for beginners. All you need to do is look out for a space in your garden that doesn’t get too wet and plant your bulbs there. It’s a common misconception that you can plant the bulbs you get from a supermarket, but in reality, these aren’t always suitable for an Irish climate, so it’s best to buy from your local garden centre.

“Unfortunately, while it’s the third most popular, the most difficult food to grow at home is avocado, though it would certainly be the most cost effective if this wasn’t the case! From seeds, avocado trees take up to 10 years to bear fruit and even then, it’d require a heated greenhouse to grow in Ireland.”

For more information, visit the HelloFresh Ireland website.

Read More: Grow Your Own