Why You Should Grow Your Own Produce

If green living is one of your passions, you may have given thought to growing your own fruits and vegetables. From healthier menu options to a more sustainable lifestyle, there are many benefits to be had from growing your own food. And if you’re still not convinced, keep reading to discover all the great advantages of growing your own produce.

Growing Your Own Produce Helps the Environment

Are you looking to reduce your carbon footprint? Growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs can significantly lessen your family’s impact on the planet. First of all, if you forego harsh chemicals and pesticides, you can prevent unnecessary air and water pollution. Secondly, the food we buy in stores has been shipped, transported and refrigerated, which requires the use of fossil fuels; homegrown produce, on the other hand, does not require the use of gas or other resources. What’s more, since your own produce won’t require packaging, you can reduce the amount of waste produced by your family.

Homegrown Produce is Healthier 

In addition to pesticides and chemical-laden growing agents, some store-bought produce is grown from genetically-modified seeds. And since there isn’t a lot of available research on the long-term effects of GMO foods, many of us just don’t feel comfortable feeding them to our families. Thankfully, growing your own produce can alleviate any fears concerning the safety of your food. Plus, when you grow your own food, you won’t have to worry about food recalls and other safety issues.  And thanks to its freshness and higher nutritional value, homegrown produce usually tastes better than store-bought varieties.

Encourage Healthier Eating Habits

Does each member of your family eat nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day? If you’re like most Americans, the answer is probably no. However, by growing your own produce, you can encourage and promote healthier eating habits for your entire family. With all those delicious fruits and veggies on hand, getting the recommend intake of vitamins and minerals will be much easier.

Getting Started

To get started on your own fruit or vegetable garden, you first have to decide what you want to grow, and where you want to grow it. If you have plenty of outdoor space, you have lots of growing options. However, unless you have some experience growing your own food, you might want to start small. Fruit trees are great for beginners, as they require very little maintenance. What’s more, you can buy trees online at willisorchards.com, and choose from a wide variety of healthy, delicious options. More low-maintenance crops include the following:

• Bush/vine crops like grapes, blackberries, raspberries, elderberries, blueberries and currants.
• Peas, green beans, onions and potatoes.
• Perennial crops like rhubarb and asparagus.
• Cilantro, mint, sage, basil and rosemary. If space is an issue, an indoor herb garden can be easy to maintain.

The sooner you start growing your own food, the sooner you’ll experience all the great benefits homegrown produce has to offer. Do yourself, your family, and the environment a favor, and get started on your own garden today.  Good luck, and here’s a greener, more sustainable way of life!