Growing your own food has many health benefits. You can harvest and eat your produce at peak ripeness, it tastes better, and it is more nutritious than what you'd typically find in a store.
More Nutritious
There is nothing better than popping a fresh cherry tomato in your mouth or snacking on a strawberry as you putter through the garden. Fruits and vegetables that ripen naturally in the garden and are consumed within days of harvest have more nutrients than store-bought vegetables. Most of the vegetables in the produce section of your grocery store are picked before they ripen, shipped to warehouses, distributed to the stores, and stay on the shelf until you purchase them. Over time, the nutritional value declines. Not only do freshly picked fruits and vegetables taste better, but they also have a higher nutritional value.
Greater Variety, Less Pesticides
Eating from your own garden means that you are selecting plants from your local nursery that offer a greater variety than what you will find in a grocery store. When you grow your own food, you can select varieties that are adapted to your growing region. There will be no need for chemicals or pesticides, as you can generally find an organic remedy to solve any pest problems that might arise. There is assurance and safety in knowing where your food comes from.
Eat in Season
Tending your garden and growing food will teach you to eat in season. When everything suddenly ripens, it requires you to think creatively about ways to prepare your harvest so that nothing goes to waste. You'll also be heading outside into the fresh air, and performing regular low-impact exercise while you plant, weed, and water your garden. It might not seem like much, but it will help improve your sense of well-being as it relieves stress, boosts energy and helps release tension.
Food Security and Savings
Having direct access to fruits and vegetables that can be harvested, prepared and eaten daily contributes to the food security of your family. If you learn how to preserve your harvest, you will be able to stock your pantry and feed your family even when the growing season is over. Not to mention you will save on cash spent and trips taken to the grocery store.
Get Started!
Getting started is easy! Start small with a few starts from a local nursery and plant things you’ll actually eat. Choose a garden location (this could even be pots on a balcony) with good daytime light and access to water. Use contaminant-free soil such as Cedar Grove Compost. Consider building a raised bed, which allows you more control over weeds, insects, and soil nutrition. Talk to your neighbors who garden to get a sense of what grows well in your region and when. Don't lose heart if things don't flourish, gardening is all about patience and time.
More Nutritious
There is nothing better than popping a fresh cherry tomato in your mouth or snacking on a strawberry as you putter through the garden. Fruits and vegetables that ripen naturally in the garden and are consumed within days of harvest have more nutrients than store-bought vegetables. Most of the vegetables in the produce section of your grocery store are picked before they ripen, shipped to warehouses, distributed to the stores, and stay on the shelf until you purchase them. Over time, the nutritional value declines. Not only do freshly picked fruits and vegetables taste better, but they also have a higher nutritional value.
Greater Variety, Less Pesticides
Eating from your own garden means that you are selecting plants from your local nursery that offer a greater variety than what you will find in a grocery store. When you grow your own food, you can select varieties that are adapted to your growing region. There will be no need for chemicals or pesticides, as you can generally find an organic remedy to solve any pest problems that might arise. There is assurance and safety in knowing where your food comes from.
Eat in Season
Tending your garden and growing food will teach you to eat in season. When everything suddenly ripens, it requires you to think creatively about ways to prepare your harvest so that nothing goes to waste. You'll also be heading outside into the fresh air, and performing regular low-impact exercise while you plant, weed, and water your garden. It might not seem like much, but it will help improve your sense of well-being as it relieves stress, boosts energy and helps release tension.
Food Security and Savings
Having direct access to fruits and vegetables that can be harvested, prepared and eaten daily contributes to the food security of your family. If you learn how to preserve your harvest, you will be able to stock your pantry and feed your family even when the growing season is over. Not to mention you will save on cash spent and trips taken to the grocery store.
Get Started!
Getting started is easy! Start small with a few starts from a local nursery and plant things you’ll actually eat. Choose a garden location (this could even be pots on a balcony) with good daytime light and access to water. Use contaminant-free soil such as Cedar Grove Compost. Consider building a raised bed, which allows you more control over weeds, insects, and soil nutrition. Talk to your neighbors who garden to get a sense of what grows well in your region and when. Don't lose heart if things don't flourish, gardening is all about patience and time.