Why you should grow your own food
No matter who you are, we all need to eat foods rich with nutrients to maintain our overall health. It is essential that we all have access to fresh, good quality produce. As most of us head to the supermarket for our weekly shop, we tend to overlook the fact that we can grow our own food right in our back gardens. Over the years, my family and I have grown mint, apples, plums, and much more!
There are many benefits to growing your own food. Not only will you save money on your next trip to the grocers, growing your own food has proven to:
- Improve mental and physical well-being: Like with all gardening activities, planting fruits and vegetables can greatly improve your mental and physical health. It is also a rewarding hobby to take part in with friends and family.
- Reduce food waste: You can pick the exact quantity of produce you’ll need for dinner without worrying about anything going to waste.
- Reduce carbon emissions: No fuel is used to transport produce if they are grown from your garden.
Another benefit is that you will know exactly what it is that you are putting on your plate. Food that you grow at home will not contain industrial pesticides or unpleasant chemicals that are not good for us or the planet.
How you can get started
It can seem daunting to get started, but you don’t have to be a farmer or an experienced gardener to grow food. If you are living in student accommodation and are short on space, the university has its own allotment available for you to use. There are also plenty of fruits and vegetables that are able to thrive in pots and containers.
In addition to these tips, adding mulch will preserve the soils moisture. A support structure will also help your plant stay upright. The key is to enjoy the process. Be persistent and you’ll soon be sprouting juicy tomatoes just inches away from your dinner table!