Urban kitchen gardens: fine food in small places Like most of us, Tom loved growing stuff when he was tiny, but remembers the "uncool" stigma during his early teens. Later, though, like many young people, it was his love of cooking that encouraged him to grow ingredients; he wanted to have the freshest food at his fingertips, despite a busy city lifestyle. The constraints of space, light and free time meant that difficult choices had to be made, but the lack of acreage concentrated his mind. In his book, Tom presents recipes that are light, modern and inventive, using home-grown ingredients augmented with edible flowers, home-laid eggs, and his own city garden honey. Ingredients are fashionable but appropriate: beetroot, chillies, squash, mouse melons, radishes and peas, as well as herbs (shiso, sorrel and lemon verbena) and fruit (currants and gooseberries). The recipes include a delicious basil and lime ice cream. 25g sweet basil leaves and 150g caster sugar are blitzed in a blender, then mixed with 200g mascarpone and 400g full-fat yogurt, as well as the zest of half a lime. Each ingredient is introduced with recommended varieties and inherent pest warnings. This is followed by growing, harvesting and preserving instructions, then ingenious suggestions for use, such as six ways to use mustard seeds, five ways to use currants, and six ways to use verbena - why not add the leaves to a chocolate ganache, or to a finger bowl of warm water when scoffing messy food? Sections on how to be green in a small space are indispensable. Tom has ideas for how to make a pond in a salvaged bath tub, how to vermicompost and save water, and how to make use of inventive containers. His blue tray system for a steady supply of herbs and microgreens is feasible in the tiniest of back yards. Pot culture is exploited to the full, and advice on the suitability for container growing is included with each ingredient, plus information on which bit to eat and how much sunlight each plant needs. The benefits of edible growing for the city gardener come in spadefuls. Urban veg prices are high while true freshness is rare, and relaxation in the open air is the perfect antidote to city life. Much of the advice, however, can be adapted to container culture in any garden, and makes my large plot seem under-productive and wasteful by comparison. PS: For those with absolutely no space, may I recommend the delightful latex seedlings by artist Clare Tindall (questionersgardentime.com). Understand your growing space - its sunny spots, dark corners and draughty bits. Work out which bits get the most sun - use these areas for sun-loving crops. Expand growing space with extra levels and shelves, grow vertically as well. Windowsills offer warmth and protection for seedlings and tender plants. Don't worry about pollution if you are more than 3m (10ft) away from a main road. If wind is an issue, create windbreaks using screening and trellises. Patrol daily: weeding, checking water and harvesting. I do mine every morning with a cup of tea, and I use my mobile to remind me of chores. Buy 'The Urban Kitchen Gardener" at £14.99 + £1.25 p&p. 0844 871 1516 or books.telegraph.co.uk