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Simply put, there is no comparison between a freshly picked tomato which you have grown yourself and one bought from a supermarket. The nature of our food system now means that supermarket produce is often grown and harvested miles and miles away, which means that by the time it ends up on your plate, the quality of the produce may well be compromised.
Whilst growing your own vegetables can seem like a daunting and overwhelming process, it is actually far simpler than it sounds. Even if you don’t have a sprawling garden space, you can grow your own vegetables in pots on a patio, or even in a window box. You’ll be amazed at how many vegetables you can grow in a limited space! So, if you’ve been thinking about growing your own vegetables, here are 5 reasons why you most definitely should.
Improve your health
When it comes to your health, there is no arguing that increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables is one of the easiest things you can do. When you pick and eat vegetables straight from your garden, the vitamin and nutrient content will be at its highest and you reduce the risk of eating any nasty pesticides – you know exactly what you are eating and where it has come from.
Save money on shopping
One of the benefits which comes from growing your own vegetables is that you can save money on shopping during the week. Whilst you may not be able to harvest enough to feed you for the full week, you will be able to enjoy fresh and organic vegetables for a fraction of the price you would spend in stores.
Encourage your children to get involved
If you grow your own vegetables at home, then it is a lot easier to get kids interested in seeing where their food comes from. Getting them involved in every step of the process, from planting the seeds to harvesting the vegetables when they’re ready, they are much more likely to eat a range of different vegetables.
If you have younger children at weaning age, then you can rest assured that the vegetables you are giving to them are as fresh as they can be and are even more nutritious. Just be sure that when you do get kids involved in gardening, they wear wellies and coverall bibs – it can get a little muddy!
Get out in the fresh air
Gardening is a great way to get out into fresh air and, as it is a physical activity, you can burn up to 400 calories an hour! Gardening is also a great way to keep your mind active and being outdoors in the fresh air can have positive effects on your mood and make you feel much happier and rejuvenated.
The choice is yours
One of the perks which comes from growing your own vegetables is that you get to pick exactly what it is that you want to grow. If you love courgettes, then plant away (one of the perks of planting courgettes is that the more you pick, the more they grow). If you like to have some fresh rocket on top of your pasta or salad, then you can just head out and pick a bunch!
If you find that it’s a struggle to get your favourite seasonal vegetables when you want in the supermarket, then by growing your own, you get the first pick of what to plant and when. Just be sure to research when you need to sow seeds to get seasonal vegetables and keep an eye on the soil – some vegetables like different soil types.
Guest Author: Natalie Wilson
