Though the gardening season is coming to an end, now is a great time to start planning for the spring. There are many benefits when it comes to growing a garden. Dr. Brad already discussed the health concerns of pesticides on fruits and veggies. A great way to avoid these problems is to grow your own, and there are many other benefits as well:
- Healthy: Garden fresh fruits and veggies are higher in nutrients such as phytochemicals, anti-oxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and folate than those that travel miles to get to your grocery store.
- Expenses: Growing your own saves money. Purchasing an individual fruit or vegetable from the store is much pricier than buying a package of seeds that can produce a multitude of the plant.
- Eco-friendly: If one chooses to compost, it is a great way to create the perfect cycle by using organic scraps as fertilizer that releases nutrients back into the soil for the next batch.
- Social: Since gardening produces food in abundance, it is an excellent opportunity to give back to others, whether it’s for the local soup kitchen, food bank, farmer’s market, or sharing with your coworkers
- Workout: Gardening is a great way to get outside and increase physical activity. It is also a great way to be in tune with nature and appreciate all of God’s creations.
- Family: Gardening does not have to be a one-person job. Including the entire family, especially children, is a great way to bond and make memories while also learning together and teaching kids about the importance of health and responsibility. Kids love to help! Seeing their progress will help them understand patience and the importance of waiting for the good things in life. An added benefit: gardening will increase a child’s chances of actually eating the fruits and vegetables that he/she helped grow.
- Mood-boosting: Growing a garden gives you a sense of appreciation for all the hard work by seeing the bounty of your efforts.
A great book to help plant the foods you want is “Rodale’s All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening.” Happy growing everyone!
- This wellness point brought to you by our Lincoln, NE hygienist Kara
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