POT GANG

What's in the box: A typical box contains seasonal seeds with growing guides, peat-free compost, pots, seed and drip trays, and plant nutrients.

Pot Gang is a British gardening subscription that sends seasonal boxes for growing fruit, vegetables and herbs at home. Founded during the 2020 lockdown, it is aimed at people who want to grow food but do not know where to start. Each box bundles seeds, peat-free compost, pots, seed and drip trays, plant nutrients and growing guides, so there is nothing extra to buy before sowing. The October box, for example, features British peas, Italian broad beans and Chinese red mustard, a mix of familiar and less common crops. Subscribers also get how-to videos, 1-to-1 support over WhatsApp, a Facebook community and free replacement seeds if nothing sprouts. The site lists the monthly subscription at £24.99 and claims a much higher total value, though that figure is based on the company's own pricing of each item and the included extras. The site displays a 4.9 rating from 1,081 reviews. The main trade-off is that this is a guided, all-in-one product. Experienced growers who already own pots and compost will be paying for things they do not need, and a new set of crops each month can quickly fill a small balcony or windowsill. For beginners, the zero-prep approach and direct support make it a sensible way in.