The Benefits of Growing Your Own Produce

from What's Up? Georgian Bay - July 2023

Joy’s Signature Potato Salad

(BPT) - If you appreciate the taste and experience of fresh produce, it may be time to consider cultivating your own home garden. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a small balcony, you can grow your own fruits and vegetables and enjoy unparalleled taste, texture and freshness without driving to the grocery store.

Here are the top five benefits of growing your own fruits and vegetables.

Freshness that Can’t Be Beat

Produce can’t get fresher than what you grow and pick in your own backyard! Grocery store produce is chosen for its hardiness because it has to endure long journeys and handling before it reaches the store, where it may sit on display for days. On the other hand, when you grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs, you control the harvest, so you can pick them at the peak ripeness and enjoy that fresh-off-the-vine taste.

Nutritious and Delicious

Homegrown fruits and vegetables are also more nutritious than their store-bought counterparts. That’s because crops begin to deteriorate as soon as they’re picked. The farther it needs to travel, the more nutritional content is lost. At home, you can harvest your fresh ingredients as needed, ensuring your meal is made with the crispest and most nutritious produce possible.

Boosted Taste and Flavour

If you did a side-by-side taste test of a homegrown tomato compared to a store-bought one, chances are you’ll notice the one from your backyard tastes better and is more flavourful. You’ll enjoy a bolder flavour when fruit and vegetables are allowed to fully ripen on the vine. Homegrown produce allows you to experience a crop’s true essence and provides a culinary experience that is sure to delight your senses.

A Feast that Won’t Empty Your Wallet

By growing your own, you’ll save quite a bit of money. While there are initial expenses when setting up your garden for the first time, once you set up a garden, you’ll have the necessary tools to nurture it season after season, creating a self-sustaining food cycle.

Making the initial investment in live plants and seeds will benefit you in the long run, as you won’t have to spend your dollars on store-bought produce that can rise in cost throughout the seasons. To get started, find a reputable brand to buy your seeds and plants from.

Connect with Nature & Reap the Rewards

Gardening is a fantastic stress reliever that allows you to connect with nature and discover the joy of maintaining your own little patch of Eden. You can escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, get your hands dirty and watch your plants grow into robust crops. Take in the soothing sights, sounds and scents of your home garden and reap the benefits.

Planting and nurturing a garden is easier than you think and offers so many benefits to your palate, wallet and well-being. So grab your gardening gloves and spade and start your journey to a rewarding and nurturing harvest.

Try a homegrown meal for yourself.