The Simple Joys of Growing Your Own Food

Madison Burgess
Apr 27, 2021
4 min read

Updated: Nov 2, 2021

If you have ever embarked on a DIY project, you know just how satisfying it can be to get your hands dirty and enjoy the fruits of your own labor. This is exactly what home gardening has to offer and then some…

It could be a full-on garden with fruit trees and rows upon rows of produce or something as simple as an herb box on your kitchen windowsill. Whatever path you choose to take, there is no denying the satisfaction of enjoying the fruits of your labor; quite literally. Love to #garden.

With Spring upon us, there is no better time to take on this exciting and fulfilling hobby. We shall get into a few perks you have to look forward to if you choose to grow your own food shortly.

But first, let’s take a brief look at what you need to make your home gardening project a successful one. This is in no way a comprehensive tutorial on how to start growing your own food.

However, there are some tips and tricks that will definitely come in handy for you as a beginner.

Plan out Your Space Wisely

Space, above all else, will either be your biggest ally or your most formidable enemy. The last thing plants need as they are growing is crowding. You may also want to spare some of your yard space for activities other than gardening.

It is thus very important that you take time to plan out space and find ways to optimize what you have. This could mean choosing plants that require little space or investing in planter systems meant to maximize space utilization.

Do Your Research Thoroughly

For the most part, growing your food can be quite intuitive. However, there are some specific needs that each crop has that you cannot just guess your way through without disastrous results. For this reason, you have to do some thorough research on whatever plants you are planning on growing.

Start Small and with Low-Maintenance Produce

Unless you have experience growing your own food, it is better to start small and work your way to high-maintenance crops and more diversity as you gain experience. This will help keep you from getting overwhelmed by all the different needs of the crops you may be growing.

Feed Your Plants the Right Nutrients

Food needs good food too. You, therefore, have to invest in the right fertilizer and plant nutrient products for the crops that you are growing. This is where all your due diligence during the research stage comes in handy as it helps you figure out what is safe and most beneficial for your plants.

4 Perks of Growing Your Own Food

With these tips, you should be able to at least get started off on the right foot. So what will keep you going? What will stop you from giving up a few frustration-filled months or weeks in?

Here are a few benefits you have to look forward to that should help keep you motivated.

You Get to Eat Fresh, Nutrient-Rich Food

Growing your own food and actually eating it is a fantastic way to introduce fruits, vegetables, herbs, and nuts into your diet. The best part is that the food is quite literally farm-to-table levels of fresh. In the long run, eating fresh and organic fruits and veggies will do wonders for your health. #benefitsofeatingfreshfood

The best part is that you get to control what products to use during farming. This means that you can entirely bypass harmful agrochemicals and instead use more organic and safer methods of pest and weed control.

It’s Very Satisfying

This is one of those perks you won’t really appreciate until you actually feel it for yourself. The very first glass of lemonade you make from lemons in your garden or the first pesto you whip up using herbs from your herb box will taste like absolute success and joy. There are few feelings that can compare to this level of satisfaction.

Great Way to Save Money

At first, growing your own food can feel like drilling a hole in your pocket. You have to buy soil, fertilizer, seeds, and much more. However, with time and effort, a home garden could actually save you some money that you would have otherwise spent on groceries.

The best part is that some of the items you buy only need to be bought once. This includes seeds as you can simply use seeds from the fully grown plants you successfully cultivate to grow more of the same plant.

It’s Sustainable

It’s sustainable for you and this planet. Think about the waste you limit when you grow your own foods. It doesn’t have to travel to get to you so there is no transportation cost, it’s not wrapped in plastic so you’re limiting waste, and it’s self-renewing if you choose to harvest the seeds for future years of growing.

Take Care of Your Most Important Garden, Your Body

Just as home garden crops need tender loving care and good nutrients to thrive, your body needs to be taken good care of. Growing your own food and introducing more fruit and vegetables to your diet is definitely a great place to start.

Get Your Garden on for Your Body and Your Mind

There is clearly a lot to look forward to when it comes to home gardening. So get started today. You don’t have to get a greenhouse and turn into a full-time farmer. Rather, you can simply start with a single herb in a small pot and work your way up.