Fresh home-grown fruit, veggies and herbs are not only good for you, but can work magic in a home cooked meal - and save money. However, if you call a suburban block or inner city apartment home, you may think you don't have the space or right conditions - but with a little knowhow, your kitchen garden could be sprouting in no time.

First, look at your space:

What spare outside room is available? A corner in a yard or balcony is often enough, as your garden can be established in a long narrow trough, or in pots layered on a stand. Your space will determine how much you can have growing at any time, just as the weather conditions will determine what you can grow.

Small pots will require more watering, and do not allow plants much room for putting down strong roots; try using a few big deep tubs or large pots to hold multiple plants (be sure to find out which plants live well together first).

Some plants such as tomatoes and lettuces thrive against a sunny wall, whereas others such as parsley and mint can be grown in limited sunlight. If there are no naturally shady spots on your balcony, consider creating one using mesh netting or an umbrella.

Secondly, consider what you'd like to grow:

Thyme and chillies can add a simple unique twist to a meal and can survive happily on a hot exposed deck, while bay leaves, turmeric, lemongrass and citrus trees can handle the heat but will need more attention and watering. Most garden centres offer a variety of seedlings for lettuces, baby spinach and rocket, which can be picked at random to add flavour to most meals.

Add a handful of herbs and some fresh Roma or Cherry tomatoes and you have a delicious instant salad.

Last, consider conditions and mulching:

While most herbs, fruits and vegetables will be able to handle the heat, be sure you know how much water (and even shade) they will need, especially as the days get hotter. Most commercial potting mixes contain moisture beads, but you could add more for particularly thirsty plants (such as mint or parsley). Throw some mulch on top of the soil to prevent drying out and to shade roots from the heat.

A small compost bin is a handy way to recycle non-oily scraps - throw in anything from egg shells to bread, tea bags, fruit peels or even the lint from the dryer. If you have space outside, you may even consider a worm farm for recycling food scraps and garden waste and to provide a constant source of nutrient-rich fertiliser. A worm farm however will struggle in the heat, so you'll need to keep it out of direct sunlight, in a place where the air can circulate around it.

With a little planning and care, you could be eating your own produce in no time. If you are unsure what plants will suit your conditions, talk to your local nursery.