Have you got a green thumb? But you’ve never really delved into the world of gardening at home? Every day, many more individuals across the world make their homes whether it be an apartment complex with a small window sill to homes with backyards, into their own home garden. With the influx of growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs at home – your meals are bound to smell and taste fresher.
Taking the time to find ways to garden at home is not only beneficial to your well-being and health but also poses positive impacts to the atmosphere, earth and our landfills. By fostering a healthy relationship with food by partaking in the process of its growth – this allows us to feel and be more consumer conscious on what we buy.
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Benefits of gardening
1) Improves your mental health
By taking the time to get out of the house and find ways to be food conscious allows you to get out of your comfort zone and pursue a new hobby. Spending 30 minutes a day tending to your plants, you fulfil a sense of responsibility and feel as though you are more productive with your time.
2) Reduce plastic waste
When shopping at your local grocery store or home warehouse stores, you tend to find many plants in plastic packaging for example, basil, mint, rosemary and parsley. By growing your herbs from scratch, you reduce your impact of plastic waste in our landfills and thus, help out the planet.
3) Eat healthier and cheaper
The price of fruits, vegetables and herbs can add up, especially with the off-seasons of these plants and foods. Although it takes time for a lemon or avocado tree to grow, the investment of taking time to nurture these plants ultimately leave you with lemons and avocados for a lifetime1
When growing your own garden at home, you develop a relationship with these plants and are more obligated to eat healthier due to the readiness and availability of the produce.
Growing at home
Growing plants at home can be especially difficult if you live in an apartment where you can’t grow a tree or receive little to no sunlight. Here are some great ways to grow your own mini window garden and larger plants (for homes with backyards) in the comfort of your own home.
1) Herbs and micro-herb plants
These include basil, parsley, rosemary, microgreens and mint. These smaller plants require little space and grow quickly if you were to tend to these plants as per instructions. Buy some seeds at your local grocery store and plan out when it is most fruitful to plant according to seasons and also depending how much sunlight you receive where you want to plant your herbs!
2) Tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes and pumpkins!
Do you have a larger area to work with but still don’t think trees are the most viable option for your home? Plant some tomatoes, potatoes and pumpkins! These vegetables are relatively easy to maintain and also provide you with a plentiful of produce when they bloom.
3) Fruit and vegetable trees
If you have a large backyard and the time to be invested in tending to a tree, here’s what you can do. Figure out what you want to spend time on and what fruit or vegetable would be the most beneficial for you and your family. For example, if you love avocados and mangoes then it is clear that a avocado or mango tree would be the best option for you! Ensure you have enough space to plant your trees to ensure the best environment for your plants.
How to plant
- Go to your local store and find which seeds for plants you’d like to grow according to the space you have at home and the current season.
- Reuse old tin cans or mason jars to grow your plants in! (Great for herbs) or alternatively buy reusable pots from your local home goods store.
- Buy soil and any equipment you need (small shovels or watering cans)
- Grow your plants and tend to them according to the instructions on the pack!
It’s really that easy and simple to grow your own home garden at home without the fuss of having to go back to the grocery store every time you run out of herbs, fruit or vegetables.
FAQs
How do you start a garden for beginners?
1) Decide what you’d like to grow. 2) Choose a location. 3) Plan your garden beds. 3) Invest in basic garden tools. 4) Test your soil. 5) Prepare the soil. 6) Choose the right seeds or transplants. 7) Plant with care.
Is growing a vegetable garden worth it?
Growing your own food is a healthy way to save money, and enjoy fresh produce at home. When done correctly, even the smallest backyard plot can produce copious amounts of fruits and vegetables, and possibly even a significant saving to the grocery budget.
What should I plant in my vegetable garden first?
In early spring, grow lettuce, greens (such as arugula), peas, radishes, carrots, and broccoli. After you’ve harvested your cool-weather crops, plant hot-weather favorites, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and herbs. In fall, you can harvest potatoes, cabbage, and kale.
