9 Reasons Why You Should (and Can) Start A Vegetable Garden!
Before you say why you cannot start your own fruit/vegetable garden, I am going to try to change your mind and prove why you can do it, for at least part of the year, where ever you are!
Here are my 9 reasons to try and inspire you:
1. There is a type of garden available for any climate, any space, and any gardening ability. Trust me.
No space? How about Container Gardening for even the smallest of patios/porches? Here are some beautiful Cedar Raised Beds-you can pick your size and layout to fit your space.
2. You basically have a virtual vitamin store in your back yard…or patio…or window ledge.
Did you know that the average produce in the grocery store is already 3 to 4 weeks old and (unless from local sources) has traveled as far as 1500 miles to get to your plate? Many nutrients have a chance to get lost along that journey.
There is little opportunity to lose too many nutrients when your food only has to travel from plant to hand to mouth.
3. Building on reason #2, there is truly nothing sweeter than plucking something from your garden and placing it straight into your mouth.
And the total bonus is that you will be able to expand your family’s palettes and expose them to vegetables and nutrients that you may never have otherwise.
4. You can do something wonderful with some of your food waste and yard clippings, by taking advantage of the benefits of composting.
5. It can actually save you money (eventually)…
6. Gardening can be a wonderful meditative and calming experience to go out and spend time digging in the soil with the sun at your back.
And it is an amazing way for you to teach your children to connect with nature and learn where their food comes from.
7. You will learn how to love certain critters and bugs in your garden (oh yes, and how to strongly dislike others as well).
You will learn why ladybugs are great, why we should embrace bees in our gardens, and how to get rid of those pesky caterpillars who can do a lot of damage in very little time.
This guy, and a few of his buddies, managed to do quite a bit of damage to some of my plants:
8. If your food grows from the ground – especially in your own garden – there is no ingredient list to read, no possibilities of cross-contamination (unless you are also growing gluten-containing grains), and no hidden preservatives. There is no packaging to throw away. No destruction of nutrients from processing.
But…are you ready for the most important reason of all?
9. Because if I can do it…ANYONE CAN. Believe me on this one. I promise you will amaze yourself. No matter where you live. No matter what your conditions are. No matter how much space you have (my garden is actually only 2 ft deep running along a side wall of my yard).
If you did not know this already, I had previously been known to have the blackest thumb around. So this is why #9 is so critical for you to understand… 
A few final tips to walk away with today:
Companion Gardening can be your best strategy for a successful garden. Learn what to plant next to each other for the best growing results.
Some bugs are your friends. So don’t be a bug hater.
Amending your soil can make all of the difference.
And one last critical thing to pay attention to:
Know where your seeds/plants are coming from. Try to buy from reputable organic sources when possible so that you are not planting genetically modified foods. The last thing we want to do is support Monsanto.
Okay. Please tell me that at least ONE of these reasons inspired you to give vegetable gardening a try!
Kim Maes is the creator of the Cook It Allergy Free iPhone and iPad Apps, which customize recipes to meet multiple food allergy needs. She also writes the recipe blog Cook It Allergy Free, where she shares her passion for teaching others how easy and delicious it can be to eat whole, pure allergy-friendly meals that the entire family will enjoy. Kim went back to receive a Master’s Degree in Holistic Nutrition after her son and her husband were diagnosed with Celiac Disease and other food sensitivities.
No comments:
Post a Comment