By Mallory Knee
Put your green thumb to good use and produce your own produce from the comfort of your home with these three tips for growing your own food.
Planting a garden can be a great way to reconnect with nature and reap the benefits of your own hard work. Plus, tending a home fruit and vegetable garden is a surefire way to ensure that your food is produced without any added chemicals or pesticides.
Growing your own food can actually be a rather simple process, though it can require a bit of elbow grease and a lot of patience. The following tips for growing your own food will help you set your garden up for success so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor—literally!
Do your research
The best tip for growing your own food is to do as much research as possible.
This may seem a bit tedious, but it will help set your garden up for success in the long run. Begin by researching the type of crops you would like to plant. All crops grow differently and will require different soil, water, and sunlight conditions in order to flourish. You should also research different planting methods for certain types of crops. Planting all crops in tidy rows is standard in most gardens, but some plants may actually thrive more when planted closer together. Researching your intended crops ahead of time will help you create an environment that’s most conducive to
growth. It will also help you recognize potential issues with your plants, should they arise in the future.
Create a sustainable action plan
Once you’ve thoroughly researched your crops, it’s time to finalize the logistics for your garden. Gardening can be a rather fickle science and the best way to ensure success is by following a strict schedule. Establish a schedule for when crops will be planted, fertilized, watered, and harvested. This may seem like overkill, but it will ensure that your plants are always provided the necessary nutrients to survive.
Remember, some plants will not need as much water or sunlight as others. Creating a schedule or calendar will allow you to closely monitor the needs of each specific crop, ensuring that none are ever over- or under-watered.
Work with nature, not against it
Mother Nature can be your greatest adversary when it comes to growing your own food. As such, it’s important that you plant a garden that works with nature, rather than against it. Choose crops that will flourish in your typical climate and will work well with the soil in your area. Not only will this aid in crop production, but it will also decrease the amount of extra work you’ll need to do to please your plants. However, there will likely be times when you’re working against Mother Nature. In such instances, it’s important that you have a backup plan ready. Have a backup water source in case of drought and have coverings ready in the event of a sudden snowstorm. In an effort to work with Mother Nature as much as possible, consider collecting rainwater to be used as your backup water source. Be sure that the container for said rainwater is cleaned at least once a year, as contaminated water can harm your crops’ growth.
