Sunday, March 10, 2013

10 Reasons Why I Garden



I started gardening several years ago.  Planting a vegetable garden was something that I always wanted to do, but never made the time.  I love making things grow, and I love fresh vegetables.  The taste and price of tomatoes sent me into high gear.  They were expensive, hard and tasted like cardboard.  My grandfather had a garden when I was growing up.  Picking weeds out of his garden was an expectation when I was visiting.  I also remember all of his children being supplied with fresh vegetables during the summer and the week-ends spent canning the harvest.  

I decided to give it a go and I'm so glad I did.  Here's 10 reasons why:  

  1. I'm at a different place in my life.  I wanted to experience a gentler time.  It's so relaxing, and I've learned to appreciate the open country and the quiet that it brings. 
  2. I purchased an acre of open ground years ago, and it wasn't being using to its full potential.  
  3. I was tired of the price and taste of store brought vegetables. 
  4. I love working with my hands, and making things grow. 
  5. I love being able to save money on my grocery bill.    
  6. I love connecting with others who grow fresh vegetables and learning different techniques. 
  7. I love walking by the produce in the grocery store smiling because I know mine is better.   
  8. I wanted to experience growing vegetables from seed and taking it to the jar. 
  9. I wanted to bring out fresh, homemade salsa during the winter and add fresh veggies to my recipes year round.
  10. I love sharing my havest with family and friends.




Not only does it taste better, but it's less expensive to grow your own especially if you grow your plants from seed.  Yes, it's time consuming but rewarding.  When you involve your children, they get a sense of how food grows and will make better choices in food selection.  They will also learn how to sustain themselves, and save on the grocery bill. 

You don't need land to garden, put a few planters on your deck and which your food grow.  You can grow tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, radishes and the list goes on in containers.  Do you currently garden?  If so, container or row garden?  What got you started?