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words by Carol King Gardening is a growing passion among ½ûÂþÌìÌÃs - and if they do not have a garden, they indulge their passion in whatever space is available to them, even on the smallest balcony. Increasingly, areas in supermarkets that cater to ½ûÂþÌìÌÃs’ penchant for gardening are getting larger, offering potted plants and herbs for sale. Among the most common plants seen on balconies in Italy are geraniums, and herbs that ½ûÂþÌìÌÃs like to use in their cooking, like basil, sage, thyme, rosemary and mint. According to the Confederazione ½ûÂþÌìÌÃa Agricoltori (½ûÂþÌìÌà Confederation of Farmers, CIA), ½ûÂþÌìÌÃs are planting more fruit and vegetables too, whether that is in a garden, terrace or balcony. The organisation reports that 9% more ½ûÂþÌìÌÃs are growing produce than in 2012 and that one in three families plants basil, peppers and tomatoes. CIA reports that among urban growers, the most popular edible plants are tomatoes at 36 per cent, followed by herbs at 29 per cent, fruit at 18 per cent, and courgettes, aubergines and peas at 17 per cent each.