May 29, 2018 Digging In: Growing Produce at Home

Few things are more rewarding than tasting fruits and vegetables grown in your very own garden. It’s a great way to get fresh, quality produce; plus, it saves on time and money at the grocery store, and can even provide some physical activity. It can also provide an opportunity to teach children about food and how some of it grows. You are only a few tips away from growing your own healthy foods right at home:

1. Consider your space. Before buying any plants or seeds, measure the space you have, and analyze how much light it gets. Most vegetable plants need at least 6 hours of light each day.

2. Get in the zone. Consider your zone and what plant varieties grow best in the conditions you live in. Chat with your neighbors to learn what grows best in their yard.

3. Check the soil. Use a test kit to test the quality of the soil you plan to garden in. This can help guide you if you need to add any nutrients.

4. Begin small. Try gardening with a few boxes of herbs, or potted containers before you move on. This can help you learn more about your environment, and help you feel more comfortable gardening.

*Reference: Eatright.org