We finally got the vegetables garden planted of the season. We have planted in this garden for several years now, and before that we also had raised beds in our previous home, but not as extensive. I love, love, love having a vegetable garden and wanted to share some of the benefits I believe having your own garden to harvest from brings to your life.
We prefer to plant mostly tomatoes, peppers, lettuces and herbs in our raised beds in the spring time, reaping the rewards until the end of fall; sometimes until the begins of winter. This is the benefit of the northern California climate and it depends from year to year.
6 Benefits of a Vegetable Garden
BUT the what, where and how you plant should be specific to your lifestyle and preferences, bringing you the optimal benefits. I personally find that the benefits your own vegetable garden brings into your life is one of a kind.
Attainable
It’s possible to have a garden whether you have acres and acres of land or a small urban studio. Vegetables, fruits and herbs can be grown in the ground, in raised beds, in containers either on a patio or inside, or on lattices, etc. Since we have the room in our yard we built a dedicated area for our raised beds with a surrounding picket fence to a} keep the critters out and b} to make it pretty. I prefer the raised beds because it’s easier on the back & knees. I hope to do this for many years to come when my body won’t be as forgiving.
You can have a small windowsill greenhouse with pots on your kitchen window or a large greenhouse structure on your property depending on your circumstance, but regardless growing foods you can harvest and enjoy are attainable pretty much anywhere. You can also rent space to garden your own crops in suburbia to metropolitan areas. Be creative and just make sure you plant the right “type” of anything in conditions they can thrive. Although we have the raised beds I plant my mint in a separate planter because I learned the hard way that mint spreads and takes over.
Nutritional
Planting your own food is good for your health since you control all the growing conditions, allowing a 100% organic product. There are actually no additives, pesticides or unwanted chemicals used in your process {unless you add them yourself of course}.
It’s so beneficial for your mind & body to eat a 100% natural product {for a fraction of the cost of organic products in the store, but that’s for a different bullet point. This process makes it easy to identify exactly what we are putting into our bodies, allowing us to eat as healthy as possible.
Sustainable
Planting your own foods is not only good for you but also good for the environment. If more folks grew their own produce it would help a} society to be healthier as a whole b} the planet to be in better shape.
The sustainability is not only at the macro level but also individually it’s easier and easier year to year as the soil becomes conditioned and our process becomes refined. Every year I learn something new and I apply it to the following year. It is an ongoing process that feeds from itself.
Economical
Growing your own food is also a great cost savings. You might have to spend a bit in the beginning as you get up your gardening system, but after that what you produce will be at a fraction of what it costs at the store, especially for a truly organic product. Once you make your initial financial investment, you should be done, only spending on seeds or seedlings in subsequent years to get the garden going.
Also you only harvest exactly what you need , minimizing waste. This is especially noticeable for me with herbs. Instead of having to buy a whole pack or bundle, I just snip exactly what I will be using with no waste.
Therapeutic
Gardening can be extremely therapeutic for the body and mind. It’s not a high cardio workout but you definitely maintain a level of motion and movement that benefits your body.
As well, it’s also very peaceful and powerful for your mind to sow, nurture, and harvest your own food, ultimately enjoying the fruits of your labor (no pun intended). Since most of us that benefit from this do it at a hobby level rather than from necessity it is an enjoyable process that soothes the mind and tones the body.
Gratifying
It is extremely satisfying to eat food you have nurtured, harvested and prepared. I love walking out to the garden and harvesting what we need for dinner in the late afternoon.
The food just simply tastes better because you know it came from your dedication, devotion and diligence, making it quite delicious!
Closing Thoughts on the Vegetable Garden
This year’s bounty included the following:
- tomatoes {2 varieties plum; red cherry; yellow pear}
- peppers {Anaheim; jalapeno; padron}
- lettuces {arugula; butter ranch; romiane
- artichokes
- basil
- chives
- cilantro
- Italian parsley
- mint
- rosemary (survived from previous season)
- thyme (survived from previous season)
I also wanted to plant kale, but the nursery only had unusual varieties available. I just want a simple kale variety so. maybe we will plant this from seed. The farm to table movement is very on trend right now and all these benefits are the driving forces behind the movement. I personally love exposing and teaching my children about it, involving them in the process. Most of the elementary schools in our area incorporate it into the curriculum, which its such a fabulous learning point. I hope this instills in them the desire to want to grow their own selections when they are older. I also hope this post might inspire some to go plant something to eat so you can benefit from your own vegetable garden.
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