EXCLUSIVE I grow almost all my own food on my small patio garden and have saved THOUSANDS on grocery bills

Daily Mail​

26-06-2025

A man who grows almost all of his own food on his tiny patio garden, saving thousands on grocery bills along the way, has revealed how others can do it too - even if they live in a city.
Alessandro Vitale, 34, originally from Italy but now living in London, spent much of his childhood gardening with his grandfather.
But after his grandfather passed away he put the hobby aside - that is, until one afternoon when he was cooking with chilies and noticed some 'leftover seeds on the cutting board.'
Suddenly, he became inspired to plant them.
At the time, he was living in a small apartment in East London and all he had was a 'balcony and a few dried-out plants.'
But he emptied the pots, planted the seeds in the leftover soil, and watched day by day as they grew into chilis.
'That was my very first plant - and within a few months, the whole balcony was filled with different varieties of vegetables,' he explained during a recent chat with the Daily Mail.
Alessandro eventually moved into a new apartment that had a small outdoor patio, which he transformed into a now-booming garden.
Suddenly, he was able to 'drastically reduce' his trips to the grocery store by relying on the food he was growing himself, cutting down his bills immensely.
'Over time, the savings really add up. I grow a big portion of my herbs, vegetables, and even some medicinal plants, which means I don't have to buy those regularly,' he shared.
'Plus, once your garden is established and you start composting, saving seeds, and reusing materials, the ongoing costs are minimal.'
Now, he explained that a 'good portion of what he eats' comes from his garden.
He has been documenting his endeavor on Instagram under the username SpicyMoustache, where he has racked up more than five million followers.
He also released a book in March, called Low Waste Kitchen: Radical Recipes for Sustainable Living, which is 'packed with over 100 plant-based recipes, plus tips on how to reuse scraps, make your own natural remedies and cosmetics, and store food more effectively.'
While speaking to the Daily Mail, he explained that there are so many benefits to growing your own food in addition to saving money on food.
'The real goal, at least for me, is to regain a sense of connection with our food, reduce dependence on the system, and become more resilient - even if it's just by growing a few herbs, fermenting your own garlic, or learning how to compost,' he shared.
As for others who want to give it a go, he recommended 'starting small' and 'staying consistent.'
'You don't need a huge garden or tons of experience - just a bit of curiosity and the willingness to experiment,' he continued.
'Grow what you love to eat, use what you already have, and don't be afraid to make mistakes - that's where the learning happens.
'Even a few pots on a balcony or a windowsill can change your relationship with food. It's more about the mindset than the space.'
He hopes that being so open about his journey will inspire others to try it too, even those who live in cities and think it's impossible.
'Even with a small garden, a balcony, or just a sunny windowsill, you can start building habits that move you toward a more intentional, independent lifestyle,' he concluded.
'It's not about perfection or growing 100 percent of your own food - it's about learning, experimenting, and reclaiming a bit of control over how you live and eat.
'Knowledge grows with practice, and space limitations often push you to get more creative and efficient.'