The Benefits of Growing Your Own Vegetables and Herbs
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When you grow your own vegetables and herbs you are able to eat them at their peak of freshness. This means they are packed with nutrients and taste fuller and richer than store bought vegetables.
Vegetable gardening is a great form of moderate exercise, which includes walking, bending and lifting. It also helps to strengthen your immune system.
1. Freshness
There is nothing like biting into a juicy, ripe tomato or snacking on some fresh greens straight from your garden. The flavor is simply unmatched by anything you can buy in a store.
In addition, when you grow your own food you know exactly how fresh it is. When you go to the grocery store, you don’t always know how long your produce has been sitting on the shelf.
Also, when you grow your own veggies and herbs you can skip the chemicals and fertilizers that are used on commercial farms. That will help to keep our environment safe and healthy. It’s something to be proud of!
2. Flavor
The food you grow yourself tastes fresher, juicier and full of flavor. It’s also healthier as you control the pesticides used, the amount of water and fertilizer needed, etc.
You’ll also enjoy a wide range of flavors, as herbs like rosemary, basil, thyme, cilantro and parsley are incredibly versatile. They can transform the most basic dishes and enliven take-out food, frozen meals and store-bought dinners.
Growing your own food isn’t a time-consuming endeavor either, even with a small garden or on a balcony. Just a little bit of daily maintenance and casual management is all you need. And it’s very rewarding! The satisfaction that comes with knowing you’ve grown something edible yourself is unmatched. Plus, you can brag to friends and family about your homegrown produce.
3. Variety
There are many varieties of vegetables, fruits and herbs that thrive in a home garden. Choosing different kinds will ensure balanced nutrition and provide a variety of flavor and texture to your meals.
When you grow your own vegetables, you can also control what type of fertilizers and pesticides are used. This is important because many commercially grown produce uses fertilizers and pesticides that are harmful to the environment.
Growing your own food can also save you money. A packet of seeds costs a few dollars but will produce multiple pounds of vegetables. In addition, growing your own veggies eliminates waste because you only harvest what you need. This saves on grocery store expenses as well. Plus, the walking, bending and lifting that occurs during vegetable gardening is moderate exercise that can help strengthen your immune system.
4. Health
Vegetables and herbs are a rich source of nutrients, including vitamins and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, fight disease, boost the immune system, and protect against heart disease. They are also excellent sources of fiber, which can aid in digestive health.
Growing your own veggies can reduce trips to the grocery store, and save money. Plus, a garden can be fun for kids, a great way to teach them where food comes from and how to care for plants.
Vegetables grown in your own yard are less likely to be contaminated with harmful pesticides. Each year, the Environmental Working Group publishes a list of the 12 USDA-tested fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residues. By growing your own herbs, you can avoid these tainted foods and have peace of mind.
5. Teaching Opportunity
Whether it’s a small pot on a windowsill or an outdoor garden, growing herbs and vegetables is a great learning opportunity. It teaches kids where their food comes from and how much work is involved in producing it.
It also teaches them responsibility, as they will need to water and care for their plants. In addition, it’s a chance for them to learn about nutrition, and to try new vegetables they might not have eaten before.
It’s also environmentally friendly, as it reduces the need for long distance transportation, which relies heavily on fossil fuels and results in pollution. Plus, it’s an easy way to get your kids to eat their veggies.
