Dreaming in Seeds: How to Plan Your Perfect Crofting Garden

It might be too early to plant, but it’s never too early to dream. As the weather still bites and the ground sleeps, now is the perfect time to start imagining your garden’s potential for the year ahead. Seed packets may seem small, but each one holds endless possibilities for delicious meals, beautiful blooms, and the satisfaction of a degree of self-sufficiency.

So, let’s talk about how to plan, take stock, and set yourself up for a thriving crofting garden—without breaking the bank.

Every great garden begins with a question: what does your family actually love to eat? There’s no point growing rows of radishes if no one’s going to touch them. Take some time to jot down your household’s favourite fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Imagine the dishes you’ll cook and the meals you’ll share, then let that guide your seed choices.

And don’t forget flowers! They’re not just pretty faces; flowers can attract pollinators, improve yields, and bring colour to your croft. A few marigolds or nasturtiums can work wonders in both the garden and the kitchen.

Our list this year is:

Malabar spinach

Yard Long Beans

Borlotti Beans

Mangetout

Mooli

Chillis

Garlic

lemongrass

Basil

Coriander

Ginger

Turmeric

Green Onions

Cherry Tomatoes

Gherkins

Bok Choi

Beetroot

Leeks

Salad Greens

Summer Herbs

Celeriac

Blueberries

Strawberries

Nasturtium

Marigolds

Black Eyed Susan

Now - here is what I need you to understand. My "croft" is less than 150 square feet! Its about the size of most people's lawns. I focus on the high value items for my kitchen and leave the growing of potatoes, carrots and cabbages etc to those with more space. You will see my "nooks and crannies" garden in all its glory very soon.

So if you have the space - knock yourself out and go gung ho in replacing your staples with home grown and cut your food budget even further. Do what you can with the resources that YOU have around you!

Before you rush out to buy new packets, take stock of what you already have. Gather your seeds from last year and check their viability. Not sure how? Drop a few seeds in water: if they sink, they’re still good; if they float, it’s time to say goodbye. Organise your collection by type and expiration date, and make a note of any gaps you need to fill.

A seed audit is also the perfect excuse to dream big. Are there varieties you’ve always wanted to try? Maybe a new heirloom tomato or a quirky purple carrot? Now’s the time to plan for a bit of adventure. Take a pound or two out of your budget and spring for something that you have never grown before - this year we are going to grow Mooli Radish in the hope that we can grow our own kimchi for putting up next autumn.

Crofting isn’t just about what you can grow; it’s about who you can grow with. Seed swaps are a fantastic way to connect with like-minded gardeners, share resources, and discover unique varieties you won’t find in shops. Check local groups, libraries, or community centres for upcoming swaps, or start one yourself.

No seed swap nearby? Join an online gardening community or bartering group. You’d be amazed at how generous people can be when it comes to sharing knowledge and surplus supplies. After all, gardening is better when we do it together.

Gardeners in my experience are also the most thrifty souls on the planet and can find, recycle and upgrade just about anything! I have one neighbour who has more plant pots than he could possibly use in a lifetime. I am free to borrow pots for potting on and return them when I plant outside - saving me the expense of buying and the space for storing.

Let’s talk about money. Gardening can get expensive if you’re not careful, but it doesn’t have to be. My crofting supplies budget is a humble £10 per month (Usually spent on timber and hardware) , and everything else is borrowed, bartered, or recycled. Egg cartons make excellent seed starters, old yoghurt pots can be upcycled into planters, and a little DIY ingenuity can save you a fortune.

By planning ahead and sticking to what you truly need, you can make that tenner stretch further than you’d believe. Plus, every pound you save on supplies is a pound you can spend on exciting new seeds or tools.

Having a tight budget really gets you thinking creatively - after all the goal of crofting is to expand our creativity, resilience and resourcefulness. It's not about a picture perfect garden, but one that is super productive, useful and saves you money in the kitchen.

Planning your crofting garden now is like planting the seeds of your dreams. Start with what you love, take stock of what you already have, and lean into your community for inspiration and support. Set yourself a budget, get creative with supplies, and watch as your garden takes shape—first in your mind, and soon in the soil.

It’s never too early to dream, and it’s never too late to start. What seeds are you most excited to plant this year? Share your plans in the comments and let’s inspire one another towards a productive (and pretty) croft this season.