Helps you eat more fruits and vegetables
Growing your own fruits and vegetables increases the likelihood that you will consumer more. As Dr. Helen Delichatsios, an internist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital states: "Backyard gardening can inspire you to take an interest in the origins of your food and make better choices about what you put on your plate. When you grow your own food, you savor it more because of the effort it took to get to the table.”
Saves $ on grocery bills
With increasingly high inflation driving up the prices of fruits, vegetables and other food products, growing your own vegetable garden can help to reduce your weekly grocery bills. The cost of your growing your own produce is considerably less than what you pay in grocery stores, plus you can pick only what you need, thereby saving on food waste costs as well.
Tastier & more nutritious
Food in its freshest form is not only the tastiest way to enjoy it, but also the most nutritional. The majority of produce sold in grocery stores go through a long process of being picked, shipped and distributed to various stores, and end up staying in storage or on the shelf for a while before being purchased, losing nutritional value.
Control over what you eat
Since you are the one planting, maintaining, and harvesting the garden, you know exactly where the produce came from and what went into it. Take comfort in knowing that there were no harmful chemicals or pesticides used to grow the produce you plan to consume and also that your food has not been contaminated by e.coli, salmonella, or other bacteria, a possibility with store bought produce.
Natural stress reducer
Gardening is a great way to get outside for some fresh air and sunshine which can improve mood and make you feel rejuvenated and overall happy. Gardening can provide regular exercise that can help to relieve stress, anxiety and depression, while boosting energy. Growing your own produce also gives you a great sense of accomplishment and a sense of pride.
Education for kids on healthy eating
Having a garden is a hands on, engaging way to learn about the process of growing food. It gives people a special connection to the food on their plate and is also a beneficial way to teach children about healthy eating, nutrition and preparing them for a healthy future. Get kids engaged by allowing them the opportunity to select, plant, maintain and harvest their own special fruit or vegetable.
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