We’ve all seen the photos of people tending to their vegetables in the garden, or the movies that depict someone leaving the city and moving to the countryside to start growing their own food, but is it really possible to become self-sufficient and grow your own vegetables?
Or, is it just a fantasy that normal people can grow their own vegetables and feed a family with their own produce? Well, the answer is, no. It’s not fantasy.
As long as you have an interest in vegetables and are willing to learn the ropes of planting, caring, and harvesting vegetables you’ll be able to experiment and find the crops that work for you. So, if you’re looking to become more self-sufficient and cut back on your food bills…
Then, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to find out about the endless benefits of growing your own vegetables!
The Formalities of Growing Your Own Vegetables
Before you buy a pack of seeds and start planting them in the ground you need to know about the formalities of growing your own vegetables. For example, is it legal? And, how do you make sure that you grow your own produce legally?
Firstly, you should always check the local area regulations. For some people, there might a certain limit or rules to how and where you can garden. In the UK, you can’t have a garden shed in your front garden, so there could be other rules like this in your area.
Of course, you should never plant anything illegal either. However, if you have the right paperwork in order and you’ve researched the local laws there should be no reason that you can’t start your own vegetable garden at home.
As well as finding out if your hometown allows you to plant your own vegetables, you might also be wondering, is it really cheaper to grow your vegetables than to buy them in a supermarket?
Can You Really Save Money Growing Your Own Vegetables?
Look at it this way, a pack of 1,000 carrot seeds from Growseed costs £0.99 so imagine how many carrots you could grow with this…
But, what are the costs involved in growing your own vegetables besides buying the seeds?
When it comes to financing your own vegetable garden you’ll need to consider a few things. Here is a list of costs to consider before you start your own garden:
- Cost of buying soil
- Cost of coverings (cage, coverings, and fences)
- Cost of watering systems (if you choose)
- Cost of gardening tools and accessories (gloves, etc)
Plus, there are always ways to cut costs when growing vegetables. For example, you should start planting your seeds well in advance so you don’t have to throw away your vegetables if they go rotten. In addition to this, you should only choose to grow vegetables that you actually like.
Ultimately, it will depend on your own personal situation. If you have the land, finances, and interest in starting your own garden then you can save a lot of money on food bills in the future. As well as this, you get the reward of growing and nurturing your vegetables yourself.
Once you’ve decided to begin the journey of growing your own vegetables then you’ll need to know how long it will take.
How Long Do You Need to Grow Your Own Vegetables?
Unfortunately, there is no set time for growing vegetables as every seed will require a different length of time to grow. Normally, vegetables like lettuce, beets, and beans can take up to 70 days. Whereas potatoes, peppers, and carrots will need around 120 days. Other vegetables could take even longer than that but you should do research beforehand.
You’ll also have to think about what month you decide to begin planting your crop in. The month will also vary on the type of vegetable and the climate you live in. No matter where you live you’ll need to choose a time of year when there is no frost. This is crucial.
However, it’s a good idea to start the germination process inside before planting. This can be done in February or March which gives your vegetables the best chance of growing quickly.
Once you start growing your own vegetables you won’t regret it. It is one of the most rewarding and nurturing activities that can bring many benefits to your health and happiness. If you’re looking for a simple guide to growing your own vegetables you can follow these steps:
- Choose the right location
- Plan, plan, plan
- Experiment with different vegetables
- Learn about different soils
- Add extra enrichment to your soil for better results
- Sow correctly
- Water frequently
- Protect your crops
- Harvest when the time is right
- Enjoy your delicious vegetables!
As long as you stick to this brief guide and research the individual needs for each of your vegetables you can’t go wrong.
So, what are the health benefits of growing your own vegetables?
Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Growing Your Own Vegetables
Besides the obvious benefits of having an unlimited supply of fresh vegetables in your kitchen cabinet there are other incredible advantages to growing your own vegetables from seeds.
More Time Outside
Having a garden also gives you the perfect excuse for spending time outside in nature. Even dedicating 30 minutes a day to working in the garden can help you sleep better and provide a relaxing break from the other household chores.
If you’re not able to plant outside, just tending to an inside vegetable are can help lift your mood and offer a stress release from the pressure of work and other difficult personal issues.
Fresh Is Better
When you eat a fresh vegetable your life doesn’t feel the same afterward. The fresh, sweet, crisp taste is so much better than store-bought vegetables. Although you can still find fresh vegetables in the supermarket if you spend enough time looking, you can also waste time looking for the perfect potato or tomato when you can just grow it yourself and have it ready when you’d like.
Growing your own vegetables is, therefore, more time-efficient and better for your health.
Garden With Friends or Family
Even though a lot of people find the solitude of gardening soothing and comforting, who says you can’t enjoy looking after your vegetables with your friends and family?
Sometimes life gets busy with work and other tasks that it can hard to find time for bonding activities. Having a small garden or allotment can give you the space to bring loved ones and bond over picking fresh vegetables. Then, you can go home and enjoy them together.
The whole process from planting the seeds to harvesting and finally, cooking can be a very special hobby to do with people.
Cut Down Bills
As already mentioned growing your own vegetables also helps you save money. As food bills are already expensive and especially if you have a family to feed it can seem overwhelming trying to eat a healthy diet and stay on top of finances…
Making the jump from store-bought vegetables to growing your own vegetables can cut down your bills over time and leave more money in your budget for other fun activities with your family.
Encourages Better Eating
Often people get discouraged from eating vegetables because they don’t have them in the house, the shop is too far, or they are too lazy to plan in advance. Everyone is guilty of prioritizing pizza over fresh vegetables from time to time but growing them can help encourage you to eat better.
Looking after a crop of vegetables means you become more mindful about what you’re eating and inspired to cook something delicious with your newly grown vegetables. This can inspire people around you to eat better to, so it has a positive effect on everyone!
As well as growing vegetables you can also grow other things in your garden. For instance, you can start a strawberry garden, an apple tree, or a sunflower bed for spring and summer. There are many ways you get involved with growing crops that doesn’t need to be limited to vegetables.
Therefore, if you’re considering starting you own vegetable garden and worried that it might not be worth the effort then this article has hopefully convinced you it is. Being able to have your own collection of vegetables also helps you eat healthier and brightens your mood.
Start gardening today and try something new!