There is a significant increase in people who are starting to grow their own produce. It’s not just about things like plastic packaging and pesticides, it’s more than that. There is a deep job that comes with growing your own food too. You know the time it has taken, what food the fruit and veggies have been fed, and you get to take them from your garden or plot to your garden.
Photo by Sven Scheuermeier on Unsplash
There are a lot of benefits to growing your own fruits and vegetables too:
- Direct access to fresh food
- Improved taste and nutrients due to lack of chemicals and good food from https://thehippiehouse.com.au/collections/advanced-nutrients
- Saving cash on the weekly shop once you have a crop going
- Better for the environment
- Contributes to your local ecosystem
The biggest ones are that it is easier than you think too.
Preparation
Without testing the soil, it is better to assume that it probably isn’t as rich as it needs to be. Some plants don’t mind lousy soil, but others will really suffer. So, before you start planting anything, pull out any weeds, turn the soil to remove any large rocks and pebbles, then begin adding in high-quality soil. It is also a great time to start composting. Adding extra organic materials will also give a serious boost of nutrients.
Flowers
If you want to maximize your crops, planting flowers around your fruits and vegetables will really bring in extra bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Pollinations is going to be a critical factor in the growth and success of your garden – so maximize the space by adding some flowers and herbs.
Plants
Some plants are going to grow better than others. It will also depend on where you live as to what is really going to flourish. Do some research, speak to people who have plots nearby and gardening centers to find out what grows best nearby. It might be that the soil and location are brilliant for juicy fruits but terrible for root veggies.
Start attending local farmers markets too. If you see a lot of the same crop type, that is a good indicator that those are what will grow best.
You’ll need to keep an eye on how much rainfall and sunlight particular areas get.
Companion Planting
In nature, you are likely to find plants that complement each other. For example, near stinging nettles, you will likely find dock leaves. They work well together, and if you follow the lead of mother nature, planting compatible things will draw in the right insects and animals and deter others. Think about combinations you like on the plate too. Tomatoes and basil, blackberries and apples, dill and asparagus. They work well together in the ground on the plate.
Rotate
To help reduce diseases and pests, it is a good idea to rotate your crops, So one year while you might be growing a lot of root veggies, the next try vine based ones. It will also stop the soil depletion of too many nutrients.
When it comes to growing your own, the world is truly yours. You can experiment with different combinations, and learn what plants love or hate your soil. And best of all? You get to eat it too!
Cover Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash
