With the growing prices of food in supermarkets and the fact that the environment has been significantly endangered by various damaging chemicals that we have no control of, it is becoming clear that growing our own food is a natural choice. Even though some people see it as a daunting task, it is actually quite simple!
The only thing you really need is a couple of squares in your yard, few pieces of basic equipment and knowledge and willingness to devote some of your free time to this activity. The benefits that come with it will really amaze you and make you want to start your own garden in a few days!
Help your family be healthy
Children are taught at home what food they should eat - their eating habits are the consequence of your actions. There isn't an easier and better way to teach your kids to eat nutritive food and to make them healthy than growing your own food. Let's be clear - if they have fruits and vegetables at the reach of their hands, your kids definitely won't be able to resist them. Just a couple of steps and they can enjoy fresh strawberries or apples! And you have found an easy way to stuff your kids with vitamins and other highly nutritional compounds without having to go to the store. And let's not forget what the studies show - kids who grow up with a garden are more likely to eat vegetables and fruits five times a day than those who don't have homegrown products.
Cut down on your expenses
Yes, money is a contributing factor to transferring to your own homegrown products. The price you'll pay for a pack of seeds that will feed you for the whole season is the same as a single fruit or vegetable you'll buy at the store - think about that! And if you learn how to dry and can the harvest, you'll be able to use it even after summer or fall is over - actually, throughout the whole year.
If you also add gas you'll have to spend to go to the store, it's even clearer how having a garden will save you a lot of money! And your food will also be organic - and you know how much organic food costs in stores!
Reduce your ecological footprint
Having your own garden also helps your planet. When you grow your own food, you won't use herbicides and pesticides, saving the soil and the environment from unnecessary water and air pollution. It would also mean less pollution that comes from planes and trucks used for transporting food all over the world - you have your own, right? And it's ok to feel good about taking care of the planet.
Have a great outdoor exercise
Spending time in the garden means spending time in natural surroundings, being physically active without even realizing it. Just think about it - all that planting, watering, weeding and harvesting really get your body move! You'll build your muscles, work on your agility and balance and breathe some fresh air. You'll need practical gardening accessories and have an effective garden watering system that will help you be active, but not annoyed by the intensity of work. Gardening is something parents and kids can do together. Never make cutting the grass or helping a punishment.
Homegrown fruit and vegetables taste better
This is an undeniable fact. Anybody who was able to taste homegrown food will without a question confirm that food from stores is tasteless in comparison to what you can pick or dig out from your garden. The difference is so big that some people switch to having their own garden just for this reason. Even so, many famous chefs have their own garden because they know how much their meals taste better in that case. Soon, you won't be as delighted with the food in some restaurants after you have tasted your own quick and healthy homemade meals.
Reduce food waste
In America, every household throws away around $600 for buying the food they didn't manage to eat and that got spoiled in the fridge. It's easy to get carried away in the supermarket and go overboard with the shopping. Later on, you'll find yourself throwing away at least one quarter of food from your fridge.
However, if you have waited patiently for the vegetables in your garden to grow and become ripe, you will probably plan ahead when you'll pick them and they won't be wasted.
All in all
Having your own garden is truly a blessing - for your soul, for your and your family's health and for the planet. What are you waiting for then? Start planning your new healthy hobby right now!
