10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD GROW YOUR OWN CROPS
Learning how to grow your own crops brings a long list of benefits that come along with that delicious harvest! If you haven’t tried to grow food crops before, there are still plenty of fast-growing, cool-season crops to plant this summer for a late fall harvest. Once you’ve got your sea legs and have figured out the basics, you can kick off next spring by planting a huge food garden full of diverse, delicious crops!
10 Amazing Reasons to Grow Your Own Vegetable Crops
We’re not exaggerating when we say that food gardening is life-changing. You won’t believe its impact on so many areas of your life! Here’s why we think everyone should grow food crops in their gardens at home:
1. Health Benefits
The moment you pick a vegetable or fruit from your plant, the nutrients start to deplete. So, if you’re eating crops that have been freshly picked off the vine, you’re getting the healthiest, most nutritious food possible!
2. Cost Savings
Why spend three bucks on a couple of zucchinis when you can buy a starter plant for the same amount? That single plant can produce up to ten pounds of zucchinis in one growing season! With the prices of groceries as high as they are right now, having a continual source of fresh food in your own backyard is more valuable than ever.
3. Convenience
Crowded supermarkets and long lineups are the worst! Skip them altogether and create your own fully-stocked produce aisle right in your garden.
4. Self-Sufficiency
Economic instability, resource scarcity, food shortages—we never know what the future may hold. Luckily, when you know how to produce your own food, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll never go hungry. Learning how to grow your own food is a huge step towards self-sufficiency, and you can share the abundance with friends, family, and your community!
5. It’s Easy!
So many crops are perfect for beginners interested in growing their own food! It’s a low-effort, high-reward activity that anyone can do, as long as they’ve got a sunny spot in their yard. Some of our favorite crops for beginners include:
Radishes
Lettuce
Spinach
Carrots
Tomatoes
Peppers
Cucumbers
6. Reduced Carbon Footprint
So many crops are cultivated on the other side of the world, and the carbon emissions resulting from cross-continental food transport are staggering. Your food shouldn’t have to be delivered thousands of miles by a giant cargo ship. Grow your crops at home instead, and Mother Nature will reap the rewards.
7. Certainty
Another problem with foreign farming is the lack of certainty in the production of crops. You never know what mystery chemicals are ending up in your grocery bags! If you want to ensure that your produce is organic and spray-free, the only sure way is by growing it yourself.
8. It Supports Pollinators
Bee and butterfly populations have declined due to widespread pesticide use and habitat destruction. When you plant a garden full of blooming crops like zucchinis, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and strawberries, our local pollinators will have access to plenty of nectar. You can help draw them in by adding some colorful flowers into the mix.
9. Beauty
Veggies are beautiful! Colorful clusters of red, gold, and green tomatoes, cucumber vines climbing tall obelisks, giant yellow squash flowers brightening the scenery—there are so many lovely things to look at in a vegetable garden. They’ve got plenty of ornamental value, with the added bonus of delicious, free food!
10. Kids Love It
Nothing gets kids excited about vegetables quite like growing them all by themselves! Include your kids when shopping for starter plants and tending to your crops. Give them a section of the garden to look after, and every new leaf and flower will be a victory worth celebrating.
Want to grow your own crops near Indianapolis? Visit Dammann’s Garden Company, and we’ll get you set up with all the supplies you need to get started! It’s a small starting investment for a huge payoff of free, delicious, healthy food in return.
