Home cooks will find they are able to grow their own produce even if they do not have a large garden to hand, an expert claims.

Some properties nowadays have balconies where fruit and vegetables can be grown in planters, explained Lucy Halsall, editor of Grow Your Own Magazine.

In other instances, people head down to a community garden so they can join others in producing items to be used in recipes.

"It really does challenge people's ideas of growing in a small space, but at the same time, it is really focusing your thoughts," she explained.

Ms Halsall believes people are encouraged to think outside the box when it comes to home-grown produce, as they seek to make the most of what they already have.

The expert recently said that gardeners are keen to eat more healthily than those who purchase goods from a local supermarket.