Once a trend, growing plants at home is becoming more of a need nowadays. Growing your fruits and vegetables is a simple solution to numerous health, environmental, and economic problems. Whether you are developing a single tomato plant or have a large backyard garden, growing your food can improve your physical and mental health, as well as the health of the environment. According to a famous study, household gardeners who grow fruit and veg consume 40% more fruits and vegetables per day than those who do not.

Benefits of Home grown fruits and vegetables

You do not always need a large plot or a big backyard; you can also practice gardening on your roof in small pots. Today we will discuss how growing your food can be beneficial for you and the environment.

• They are tastier.

• They are more nutrient-dense.

The commercial agriculture system is built upon the idea that food needs to look a sure way to look pretty and fresh, but perfect and pretty have very little to do with nutrition. Healthy, nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables come from plants grown in healthy soils harboring helpful microbes alive and working hard to help produce tasty, nutritious food, which is possible only When you grow your garden. The natural compost, minerals, nutrients and biochar from organic sources build up the biological life in your soil, which will support and feed your plants, giving you the most nutrition possible. 

• They are genuinely fresh.

Another crucial reason behind the nutrient density of homegrown food is that freshness makes a huge difference. Even in the supermarket's produce section, the freshness is questionable since the Fruits and vegetables are shipped across the planet in boxes for who knows how long. Then they sit on shelves before reaching our kitchen. It is much better if the veggies are eaten soon after being picked.

• They make healthy, plant-based meals.

Eating more vegetables is never wrong, especially when healthy and tasty vegetables constantly come out of our garden. Rather than relying on processed foods, we will start turning to the garden, which we have spent time growing, to provide our meals and treats. Studies have proved that those who garden are more likely to eat more fruits and vegetables.

• They are inexpensive, organic food.

While organic foods are more and more available, they are more expensive. On the other hand, homegrown fruits and vegetables are inexpensive and can be done entirely organically. Moreover, we can choose what to grow and how much to produce.

• They don't have dangerous toxins.

In today's supermarkets, it's tough to avoid pesticides, fertilizers, and other biocides used to grow fruits and vegetables to grow faster and in bulk. Additionally, food preservatives are used even on fresh vegetables to keep them fresh for more extended periods. 

By growing veggies in your garden, you will control the chemicals used. You can make your fertilizer using leftover vegetable peels and other biodegradable waste, which is suitable for the plant and us because, ultimately, those substances enter our stomachs.

• They aren't as wasteful.

One of the best things about growing fruits and vegetables at home is no waste in this process. Even if any fruit or vegetable goes terrible, they are fed into a compost bin to grow next year's garden. Building a vegetable garden is also a great way to teach your children the importance of utilizing whatever bounty the earth has provided to its fullest and avoiding wasting food.

• They are a built-in exercise program.

We all know that regular exercise can relieve stress, anxiety and depression while boosting energy. Though tending a garden is not a high-intensity exercise, it does promote an active lifestyle. Bending, squatting, digging, walking, stretching, and lifting is an excellent routine for gardeners. 

A well-tended garden is much more productive and requires at least a few minutes of your attention daily. Moreover, gardening helps to improve cardiac health and immune system response, decrease heart rate and stress, improve motor skills, flexibility and body strength. 

• They increase biodiversity.

Having a vegetable garden with a good mix of veggies makes for a biodiverse area that helps to keep the soil healthier. It attracts pollinating animals like butterflies and bees to find their food. The mix of veggies is also good for the ground; different plants contribute differently to the soil. Growing them all together helps soil retain its nitrogen content and nutrition.

• Reduces carbon emissions.

Commercial farming is a highly mechanized practice requiring a lot of heavy equipment which uses a lot of fuel for cultivation and transportation, producing significant carbon emissions. We generally do not think about food transportation since it is always waiting for us on our local grocery store's shelves. Still, it contributes a lot to carbon emissions and global warming. However, if you grow your fruits and vegetables, there are no carbon emissions or threat of global warming.

• Fosters a connection with nature.

The act of growing a garden enables you to physically connect with nature by interacting with the plants and soil and harboring the fruits of your labor. When you raise your garden, interact with your plants, the ground, and the weather, experience all the elements involved in the growing process, you gradually come close to nature. Moreover, consuming what you've grown brings a profound sense of satisfaction.

Tips

If you're interested in growing food in your backyard, then you must keep these small tips in mind —

• Start small and plant things you'd like to eat.
• Pick a spot that receives at least 6 hours of good daytime light and access to water.
• Use contaminant-free soil.
• Try to use a raised garden bed, which allows you to control the soil and nutrient blend.
• Choose judicially — what to produce and how much to make.
• Start a compost pile instead of throwing away your kitchen and yard waste.
• Do not overwater your plants
• Talk to farmers or other experienced gardeners in your area to understand what grows well in your region.
• Be patient and do not hurry.

Conclusion

A homegrown garden can be challenging, but the payoff is enormous when done correctly. With appropriate gardening techniques, you will be able to develop a bounty of fresh, healthy, nutritious, flavorful produce your family will love and eagerly consume.

As an additional benefit,  growing your food is a great way to join the fight against climate change, help reduce carbon emissions, cut greenhouse gasses, and help keep a lid on rising global temperatures.