DO you feel like you are stuck indoors all the time, miss the fresh air or just fancy a change of scene?

Well with the spring not far off, there is a chance to shake things up — in the garden.

You do not have to be a horticulturalist to benefit from learning to grow your own fruit and vegetables.

Not only is it a way of getting around the pesky supermarket vegetable shortage — salad can be grown in a pot — its means easy access to a healthy diet, with a little work!

On top of that getting your hands dirty is a boost to body and mind. Whether it be in an allotment, back garden, flower pot or on the kitchen windowsill, getting green-fingered is getting more accessible.

The popularity of home-grown vegetables has also seen growing waiting lists for allotments.

In Bolton there are 37 different allotment sites, some with an eight-year waiting list for a plot, while some are just up to a year.

But plot owner Fred Corr argues that it is worth the wait.

The 66-year-old retired engineer started turning the soil in 1989 helping out a friend and now turns from mechanics to marrows and everything else at Shepherd Cross Street Allotments in Halliwell.

He said: “By growing you’re own produce like garlic and potatoes you are producing something so much better than you find in the shops.

“It is a different world. There are no chemicals, it is all natural, and that makes a big difference. Homegrown vegetables are far more healthy.

“The fresh air keeps you mobile, keeps you going. Now I’m retired it keeps me going. I spend a lot more time in the greenhouse, it’s a good way to pass the time. It is not easy, especially at this time of year, you have got to keep on top of things — but that does motivate you.

“I’m a great believer in its health benefits and it does keep you moving.

“There definitely seems to be more people interested in the plots and growing, and you should definitely have a go if you are interested!

“People are starting to grow their own products, getting interested in their food and are getting healthier.”

Another aspect of allotment life is the community, with growers helping each other out and sharing advice and tips as well as time together. However, not everyone can get access to a plot but there’s plenty of ways to get horticultural in your own home, back yard or garden.

As well as courses and workshops, supermarkets sell packets of seeds to the novice grower.

Anyone can pick up a pack and give it a go — starting with anything from spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes and peppers to building up to the likes of asparagus, blueberries and leeks.

Getting interested in the natural world around you has even been identified by the NHS for its benefits. Fruit and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet — a source of victims and minerals — and growing your own is credited as the best way of getting your five a day.

It identifies that people who eat lots of fruit and veg are less likely to develop chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and some cancers and growing your own ensures you get the freshest pick of the crop, as well as saving you money.

Like Fred argues, it highlights how gardening is a good way to be more physically active — even relieving stress and improving mental wellbeing, be that from spending more time outside to more physical activity.

Tips from gardeners are available via the NHS website or look for local gardening groups such as Bolton Urban Growers.

Or if you are inspired enough to find an allotment visit the Bolton Council website.

Where you can find allotments in Bolton:

Astley Bridge: Moss Lea, Tippings Rd, Seymour Rd

Blackrod: New Street

Breightmet: Garstang Ave

Daubhill: Willows Mercadale

Deane: Manningham Rd

Doffcocker: Rawlyn Rd

Egerton: Longworth Rd

Farnworth: Avondale Rd, Back Plodder Lane, Clammerclough

Great Lever: Ainsdale Rd, Settle Street, Smedley Ave

Halliwell: Hatfield Rd, Lowndes Street, Shepherds Street

Horwich: Green Lane, Crown Lane, Longworth Rd, Lever Park Ave, Nasmyth St

Kearsley: Cemetery Rd

Ladybridge: Dealey Rd

Little Bolton: Cross St

Morris Green: Sapling Rd

Sharples: Florence Ave

Smithills: Harpers Lane

Tonge Moor: Firwood Lane, Thicketford Rd, Tonge Moor Rd, Tonge Fold

Westhoughton: Chequerbent Gardens, Glebe St, Hall Lea Bank, Central Park