The Cost and Health Benefits of Growing Your Own Food
Growing your own food has so many benefits – both for your health and wallet! Growing your own food at home can mean not only reducing your grocery bill but eating food that is fresher, healthier, pesticide-free, and more flavorful. Here are some of the top costs and health benefits of growing your own food.
1. More Nutritious Food: Homegrown fruits, vegetables, and herbs are fresher and often have higher nutrient levels than store-bought produce due to the time gap in transit and storage. This means you’ll be getting all the essential vitamins and minerals that are important for a healthy and balanced diet!
2. Cost Savings: The cost of growing your own food can vary depending on the size of your garden and the types of plants you choose to grow. Generally, however, the cost of growing your own food is much lower than buying it from the store. You can save money by using seeds and seedlings from your local nursery or garden center, as well as by using compost or other natural fertilizers. Additionally, you can save money by using rainwater or greywater for irrigation and by using recycled materials to build raised beds or other garden structures.
3. Toxin-Free: Supermarket produce is often heavily treated with pesticides, insecticides, and other harsh chemicals. Growing your own food allows you to avoid these unhealthy ingredients.
4. Control Over Your Food: Growing your own food allows you to control what goes into your food and how it is grown. You can choose organic and non-GMO seed varieties, use organic compost or fertilizers, and control the amount of water and sunlight your plants receive. You can even grow heirloom varieties of vegetables that may not be available in stores.
5. Mental Stress Reducer: Gardening is a great activity to help relieve stress, which can help improve your overall mental health. The combination of physical activity, sunshine, and the meditative aspects of digging in the dirt or potting plants can bring about a sense of calm and clarity.
6. Exercise: Working in the garden is a great form of exercise for people of all ages. Through gardening, you can burn calories, strengthen muscles, and get a moderate physical workout.
7. Connecting with Nature: Being so close to nature and embracing its many gifts can be very favorable to your mental, physical, and spiritual development.
8. Preservation of Biodiversity: Growing your own garden can also help ensure the preservation of many rare species of plants and crops which are slowly being wiped out. Planting heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables will help promote biodiversity, which is essential to maintain a healthy environment.
Conclusion
Growing your own food has numerous costs and health benefits and is a worthwhile project for anyone, whether you have a large garden or a small window box. Not only do you know exactly what’s going into your food, but it can also save you money and provide a therapeutic and stress-relieving activity – all while providing fresh, delicious food to your dinner table.
To learn more about gardening tips on how to grow your own food, check out the Blossom & Broom blog. We give you informative and easy-to-follow advice on how to start your own garden and help you become a successful home gardener. From home decor and DIY tips to gardening and edible landscaping, Blossom & Broom has something for everyone. Check out our blog today and start growing your own food.
