Nurturing a Nutritious Garden

There are so many benefits of growing your own food.  It's easier than you would think to have a productive garden even if you're limited on space or feel that you have "brown thumb".  There's nothing more rewarding than harvesting your own fruits and vegetables from your garden. These are the freshest and most nutritious edibles.  It is the true sense of using food as medicine.  

• Timing — Right now as our soil and temperatures are warm enough, the best time to start planting your edible garden.  Early in the season as temperatures are still cool - spinach, snap peas, carrots and kale will thrive.  Later in the spring plant tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and basil as they need temperatures above 50-60 degrees for successful growth.


• Location and Care — Find a location that gets around 6 hours of sun daily for your plants.  Use containers or raised beds with a good quality soil.  Alternatively, if you are short on space consider joining a community garden or P-patch in your neighborhood.  Plan to fertilize regularly with a vegetable mix, follow package instructions for the best outcomes.  Tomatoes and peppers can do well on a warm south facing deck or balcony.  Talk to the local growers at the farmer's market and a group called "Master Gardeners" (they usually have a table at the Farmer's Market and other events) for growing tips.  Local nursery websites and their staff have wealth of information on growing edibles for your area.


• Experiment & Experience — Expect that there will be some failures, insects will eat your plants, some will die and some will thrive.  Think of it as a learning experience for each succeeding season.  Keep notes on varieties that did well in certain locations.  Grow extra with the expectation that some plants will fail but some will succeed.  


• Reap the Benefits — Consider the physical and psychological aspects of growing your own food.  You reap emotional benefits of being outside in nature and being productive.  You're using your body to prepare, plant and maintain your garden.   Connect with your senses, savor a tasty home grown tomato or growing a variety that can't be found in the local grocery store.  Additionally, you'll be in touch with nature; the changing weather and seasons.  Any extras can be shared with neighbors, friends and family.


• Good for the Environment — Growing your own food has many environmental benefits.  What is more local than your garden space.  Forego the drive and save a trip to the store for produce, and save money.  Moreover, there's reduced fuel usage from transporting commercial produce from field to grocery store.  Increase plant biodiversity by growing heirloom vegetables.  Attract and support our precious pollinators such as bees and butterflies.


• Popular Edibles — Here's are few suggestions to get you started: kale, spinach, carrots, strawberries, squash (summer and fall), cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and basil.  Hopefully, this list will motivate you grow your own.

Free introductory 15-minute appointments are also available.