If you’re thinking of starting your own vegetable garden, you may be wondering, are homegrown vegetables healthier? The short answer is, yes, in many ways homegrown veggies are a healthier option. The benefits of home grown food can range from saving money to having access to produce that was grown without chemicals. But no matter the reason, we can all agree that these benefits are invaluable and important.
The best thing about growing your own food is that it’s not as complicated and difficult as you think. Here are some tips and information to get you started with home gardening.
Why Are Homegrown Vegetables Healthier? They’re Loaded With Nutrients
Fresh produce, including fruits, vegetables, and herbs, have tons of nutrients. Many of these are considered superfoods, which have a higher amount of vitamins and minerals. Some good superfoods are blueberries, kale, spinach, and strawberries.
All fruits and veggies have a lot of nutrients you want. This includes vitamins C and A, vitamin D, folate, potassium, fiber, and lots of antioxidants.
You Can Prepare Well Balanced Meals
Thanks to the nutritious fresh produce and the convenience of having them at home, you can also use them to prepare healthier, more balanced meals.
This is an excellent health benefit as your family might be struggling with malnutrition without even realizing it.
Sure, you might be eating enough food, but not the right foods. Having fruits and vegetables right in your own backyard encourages you to prepare more of these balanced meals for the good of your family’s health.
Gardening Itself is Good Exercise
Even the work of growing fresh produce in your backyard is good for your health. It helps you burn calories and get more active. Plus, you can even get your kids involved. Also, benefits of gardening for seniors include mental awareness, access to healthier produce, and physical fitness.
There are even benefits of digging in the dirt, from relieving stress to improving mood.
Plus don’t forget that when you are outside more often by planting your veggies and herbs, you are going to get more vitamin D from the sunlight.
This helps to prevent vitamin D deficiency, which is common for many people. Try to get everyone in the family involved in growing your own food.
You Won’t Have Nasty Chemicals
When planting your own fruits and vegetables, you have full control of what is added to them. You can avoid harsh fertilizers in the soil and use pest control methods that are completely natural without chemicals in them.
This is the same thing you get from buying organic produce, but when you grow it on your own, you have the convenience factor and save money at the same time.
Fewer chemicals are always a good thing when you start feeding your family more fruits and veggies. That’s why the answer to the question are homegrown vegetables healthier is a resounding yes.
How to Start Growing Your Own Food
It’s not as difficult as it sounds. First, determine your climate zone to see which vegetables and fruits fit your environment. Then, look for a place in your home.
Take note of places that are exposed to direct sunlight.
After getting the right tools, you can start sowing your seeds. How long do vegetables take to grow? Radishes can take 25 days. Salad leaves have an average of 21 days between sowing and harvesting. Carrots can take 50 days, while spinach can take a month.