Top 10 Reasons to Have an Organic Garden
There are many reasons why we may want an organic garden of our own. Maybe we enjoy cooking with really fresh produce or want the convenience of having the vegetables and herbs we love at our fingertips, or maybe it’s simply an enjoyable activity we would like to share with our family. Whatever the reason, here are the top 10 reasons from people we surveyed.
10 Knowing where your food comes from
Food products today are often labeled with words like “all natural” and “local”. It can be hard to differentiate between the greenwashing and the real thing, but with our own garden, there is no question—we know it comes right from our own backyard.
9 It helps to relieve stress
Did you know that horticultural therapy is a time-proven practice, recognized as early as the 1800s? The colors, textures and scents of a garden provide sensory stimulation that can quickly distract the mind from worries and stress.
8 Saving money
Growing our own produce is always more cost-effective than buying it from a grocery store and careful design and planning can maximize crop yields. And the next time we want to create a spontaneous meal, we will save time and money by not having to drive to the store.
7 An enjoyable outdoor activity
Our garden enjoys the benefits of fresh air and sunshine, and so can we. A backyard garden is a focal point and hub of activity that the whole family can enjoy through the seasons and cycles of nature.
6 An easier way to get kids to eat veggies
A recent study found that preschool children that were almost always served homegrown produce were more than twice as likely to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day—and to like them more—than kids that rarely or never ate homegrown produce. What a great way to develop those young taste buds.
5 Food that tastes better
A package of tomatoes purchased during the winter often tastes like cardboard. Supermarket tomatoes are frequently picked before they have the chance to fully develop flavor so they can withstand travel. Homegrown, freshly picked produce always tastes better and provides an appreciation for what is in season.
4 Better nutritional value
Vegetables that ripen in the garden have more nutrients than store-bought vegetables which must be picked prematurely and sometimes degrade on their way to the supermarket, especially if exposed to heat. With our own garden, we have total control over when to harvest our food.
3 An easy way to live a more organic lifestyle
We can help the planet while we help ourselves. Growing our own food organically, without pesticides, herbicides or GMOs keeps our body clean and healthy and helps prevent unnecessary air and water pollution. As a bonus, we have reduced fossil fuels and the number of food miles travelled to zero.
2 Using fresher produce to cook and entertain
A backyard garden enables us to host our own garden-table dinners, creating a powerful shared experience for all involved as guests may opt to help harvest, clean, cook—and of course, eat!
1 Neighborhood bragging rights
Hands down, growing our own food is one of the most gratifying things we can do, and provides an amazing sense of accomplishment.
Homeowners interested in scheduling a complimentary consultation may call a backyard garden consultant at 732-410-6173. For more information, visit Yard2Kitchen.com.
