Everyone needs fruit and vegetables. Since we were little we’ve been told it’s an important part of well-balanced diet.  They are vital for good health.  However, it seems only recently that more and more people are becoming interested in growing them - as well as eating them.  Is it time for you to grow your own vegetable garden?

Here in England, allotments are increasing in popularity and for good reason.  There is so much to be gained physically, mentally and nutritionally from growing your own delicious fruits and vegetables.

Do you fancy testing out your green thumb and getting more involved in the garden?  There are plenty of reasons why you should consider beginning to grow your own fruits and vegetables. Let's explore some of the best reasons you should grow your own food and the many benefits this rewarding hobby can bring.

4 of the best reasons to grow your own food

Growing your own vegetables and fruits has many benefits, including saving money, being organic, providing a fun activity for kids, and being a hobby that can be enjoyed year-round. In this section, we will explore four of the best reasons to start a vegetable garden and the ways in which it can positively impact your life. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or new to the hobby, there's never been a better time to start growing your own food.

1. Saving money

The weekly shop can be a significant expense for many households, and the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables can add up quickly. One way to reduce these costs is by growing your own produce in a vegetable garden. Not only can you save money on your grocery bill, but you can also enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that the food you are eating is fresh, healthy, and grown with care.

Growing your own fruits and vegetables can also save you money in the long run. Vegetable gardening can also be done on a budget.  Once you have established a vegetable garden, the only ongoing costs will be seeds, soil, and water. You can also save money by using compost and other organic materials to fertilize and amend your soil, rather than buying expensive chemical fertilizers.

In addition, by growing your own fruits and vegetables, you have the opportunity to plant a wide variety of crops, which means you'll be able to enjoy a diverse selection of produce throughout the growing season. This can help you to reduce your reliance on expensive imported fruits and vegetables, which can be costly.

Finally, by growing your own fruits and vegetables, you'll have the opportunity to harvest more than you can eat. You can always share the excess with friends, family, or sell it at a local farmer's market. This can help you earn a little extra money and support your community.  Or you can learn to preserve the food and stay stocked up and prepared for the future. 

2. Hobby for all seasons

One of the great things about growing your own fruits and vegetables is that it can be enjoyed as a hobby year-round. Many people assume that gardening is a spring and summer activity only, but with the use of a polytunnel or greenhouse, you can extend your growing season and enjoy fresh produce even in the colder months.

Polytunnels and greenhouses offer protection for your plants from the elements, including wind, rain, and frost. They also provide a warm and sheltered environment for your seedlings and young plants to thrive in, even when the temperature outside is too cold for them to survive. This allows you to start your garden earlier in the year and continue to grow and harvest produce well into the fall and even winter.

 With a polytunnel or greenhouse, you can grow a variety of fruits and vegetables that would not normally survive in the cooler temperatures, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and aubergine. You can also use these structures to extend the growing season of cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, and kale.

Additionally, gardening in a polytunnel or greenhouse can provide a unique and enjoyable hobby for all seasons. It can be a great way to escape the cold and grey winter weather and enjoy the warmth and greenery of your own little oasis. Plus, with the added protection, you don’t have to worry about the weather conditions and can focus on enjoying the hobby of gardening.  You can easily buy structures online from a company like Premier Polytunnels or you can build your own polytunnel. 

Grow your own herbs kit

3. Organic

There’s something so satisfying about growing your own food. It’s not just the work and watching it grow - it’s more than that. You’ve been there from start to finish so you know exactly what’s gone into it.

These days, supermarket foods are filled with preservatives and chemicals. You can never be sure exactly where your food has come from or of the chemicals and pesticides that have been used in the growing process.. Whereas if you start growing your own, you can tuck in, knowing full well it’s 100% natural as it’s come from your very own garden. Or allotment if you’re stepping further afield from the house. Still, very much locally-sourced and made by you! 

Growing your own fruits and vegetables offers the opportunity to produce food that is not only fresh and delicious, but also 100% organic. One of the main benefits of growing your own produce is the ability to control what goes into the soil and onto the plants. By growing your own fruits and vegetables, you can rest assured that your food is free from harmful chemicals and preservatives.

You can also use organic gardening practices, such as using natural pest control methods and using organic compost and fertilizer to amend the soil. This ensures that the food you grow is of the highest quality and free from harmful chemicals.

Additionally, by growing your own fruits and vegetables, you can be sure that your food is locally sourced and hasn't been transported over long distances, which decreases the environmental impact of your food choices. You can choose to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables that you might not be able to find at the grocery store, and you can be sure that they are fresh, ripe and in-season.

To ensure that your produce is 100% organic, it's important to use organic seeds and compost. Organic seeds are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and are not genetically modified. Organic compost is made from natural materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps, and it does not contain any synthetic chemicals or pesticides.  It's a healthy, toxic-free, sustainable and eco-friendly way to feed yourself and your family.

4. Kid friendly

Growing your own fruits and vegetables is a great way to get kids involved in the outdoors and teach them about the importance of healthy eating. By involving children in the gardening process, they can learn about the responsibility of growing and caring for food, and how it can be used to nourish their bodies.

Gardening with children can be a fun and interactive learning experience. Children can help with tasks such as planting seeds, watering, weeding, and harvesting. There are there are many easy vegetables you can grow with children. They will also learn about the different types of fruits and vegetables and how they grow. This hands-on experience can make learning about healthy eating more engaging and meaningful for children.

Additionally, children are more likely to try and enjoy fruits and vegetables that they have grown themselves. Seeing the fruits of their labour can be a powerful motivator for children to get your child to eat healthy food. There are many easy vegetables to grow with children, such as cherry tomatoes, peas, and radishes, that can be planted and harvested quickly, which can be a great way to teach children the joy of gardening and healthy eating.  Even indoors, it's easy and fun to grow cress, rocket or basil on the windowsill.

Lastly, gardening is a great way to spend quality time with children and teach them valuable life skills. It's a fun, wholesome activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family, and it has the added benefit of promoting healthy eating habits in children.

Grow your own cucamelon kit

More great reasons to grow your own food

• Improving mental and physical health: Gardening has been shown to have positive effects on mental and physical health. It is a form of physical activity that can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles and bones, and reduce stress. It can also be a form of therapy for people who suffer from depression and anxiety.

• Better taste and quality: Freshly picked fruits and vegetables are often more flavourful and nutritious than store-bought produce. Growing your own fruits and vegetables ensures that they are picked at the peak of ripeness and can be eaten immediately, maximising their flavour and nutritional value.

• Building community: Gardening can be a great way to connect with your community. You can share gardening tips and advice, swap seeds, and even share the produce that you grow. Community gardens, in particular, can bring people together and create a sense of belonging.

• Building self-sufficiency: Growing your own fruits and vegetables can help build self-sufficiency. It allows you to grow a portion of your own food and reduce your dependence on the grocery store. This can be particularly beneficial during times of economic hardship or natural disasters.

• Teaching children valuable life skills: Gardening provides an opportunity for children to learn important life skills such as responsibility, patience, and the value of hard work. It can also be a great way to teach children about the environment and the importance of sustainable living.

• Being a form of environmental stewardship: When you grow your own fruits and vegetables, you are practicing a form of environmental stewardship. You are using resources wisely, reducing the travel footprint of your food, and promoting biodiversity by growing a wide variety of plants.  It's one small way you can go greener.

Grow your own organic vegetables kit

Final thoughts 

In conclusion, growing your own fruits and vegetables has many benefits. Not only can it save you money on your weekly grocery bill, it can also provide a fun and rewarding hobby for all seasons, ensure that your food is 100% organic, and provide a fun and educational activity for kids.

Additionally, it can improve your mental and physical health, offer better taste and quality produce, build community, build self-sufficiency, teach children valuable life skills, and be a form of environmental stewardship.

Whether you have a small balcony for growing patio veg or a large backyard, there is always room for a vegetable garden. With a little bit of planning and care, you can enjoy fresh, healthy, and delicious produce all year round.

So, is it time for you to grow your own vegetable garden? We hope this article has convinced you to give it a try.  There are numerous reasons to have a go at growing your own.  These are just the start.  Read the links below for more beginner tips and benefits.

 

Don't stop there.  Here are more tips and benefits:

Growing your own: a goal for the New Year? Tips to get you started

Growing vegetables in pots on the patio as a beginner