DIY Gardening & Better Living

Organic Vegetable Gardening

For decades, nutritionists and health experts have been encouraging the public to consume more fruits and vegetables. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, most people should aim for nine servings of vegetables and fruits a day, or about 4 1/2 cups. Perhaps your dilemma isn't about how many servings you should eat, but rather which vegetables are better for you--those purchased in a grocery store produce section or the homegrown garden variety. Picking a fresh tomato off a vine from your own garden may offer more benefits than great taste and convenience. 

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Nutrition

There is no comparison between the taste of a garden fresh tomato and a grocery store bought one that's devoid of flavor. The nature of the American food system is that grocery store produce has often been grown hundreds of miles away, meaning it can be days between harvest and your table. This process results in the quality of the vegetable produce often being compromised.

Though growing your own vegetables can seem overwhelming to some, it’s actually much simpler than it sounds. Even if you don’t have a yard, consider starting a patio garden or even an indoor herb garden on a windowsill. You’ll be amazed at how many tomatoes or peppers you can grow out of one pot!

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Taste

Perhaps one of the most significant benefits of garden vegetables is the taste. MayoClinic.com states that some people claim they can taste the difference between organic and commercially grown food, but "freshness" may be the actual predictor of taste. Homegrown tomatoes, for example, can stay on the vine until they are red, ripe and ready to eat. Store-bought vegetables are pulled from the vine weeks before they arrive on the produce aisle. Additives and chemicals may also take away from the taste of your favorite vegetables.

Chemical Free

Whether you grow your own vegetables, buy only 100 percent organic or make regular visits to the farmer's market, you are reducing the risk of eating vegetables that contain harmful chemicals. According to MayoClinic.com, the difference between the conventionally grown vegetables you buy in the supermarket and certified organic produce is the farming methods used. Conventional farmers not only use chemical fertilizers to promote growth, they also use insecticides and chemical herbicides to kill pests and weeds. Organic farmers use natural products and avoid chemicals completely. Another benefit of having your own vegetable garden is you know exactly what you're eating.

Cost

One of the benefits of enjoying garden vegetables may be a reduced monthly food bill. Due to climate and space limitations, you may not be able to plant all the vegetables you enjoy. However, tomatoes easily grow in almost any climate and can be grown in a pot on your patio or deck. Local farmer's markets are another way to enjoy fresh garden vegetables at a saving. Because farmers are directly selling their vegetable produce to you, the consumer, they are able to cut out the middleman and charge less than supermarkets.

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THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES ARE RELATED TO GROWING ORGANIC VEGETABLES