20 Reasons to Plant a Garden

reasons to plant a garden

20 Reasons to Plant a Garden

Spring is under way which means it’s time to start thinking about getting the gardens planted! There are so many great reasons for planting a garden. Whether it be for fresh produce, exercise, or even just a way to pass the time peacefully.

If you have never planted a garden before, there is no better time to start than now.

To motivate you, consider these 20 reasons to plant a garden, so you can see everything that growing a fresh garden can provide! Believe me when I say it provides so much more than just fresh tomatoes! Here is what you need to know:

1. You can enjoy chemical free food.

When you grow a garden, you can enjoy produce that is grown without chemicals or pesticides. It is a great way to know what is in your food so you can enjoy safe and natural food choices.

2. You know where your food comes from.

Do you really know where your food comes from when you buy it from a market? When you garden, you know exactly where it comes from because you grow it and pick it yourself.

3. Children will enjoy assisting with gardening tasks.

Children love digging in the dirt, and will enjoy helping you with your gardening tasks. They can pull weeds, plant seeds, and even help pick the harvest when you have a backyard garden.

Related: Make this Milk Jug Watering Can that the kids are sure to enjoy!

4. Your meals will be made with the freshest produce around.

Do you love fresh soups and salads? When you grow your own garden, you will have the freshest produce choices around. Enjoy fresh recipes each night thanks to your garden. Who wouldn’t love that?

5. Gardens bring about beautiful wildlife.

You will notice that gardens bring all sorts of wildlife to the yard. This means hummingbirds and butterflies especially. It is fun seeing all the colors, sights, and sounds come to your yard as they investigate your plantings and take sips from your plants.

6. Gardens provide a chance to meet your neighbors.

When you grow a garden, you spend more time outdoors. This might mean being more visible to your neighbors and striking up a conversation or two. You might even find another neighbor who gardens, and get the chance to trade produce or plant starts.

7. You can assist people in need with your produce.

Chances are you will grow more produce than you need. You can always donate your extra produce to local soup kitchens or shelters where they can serve it to people in need. That’s a great reason to plant a garden!

8. Gardening tasks provide exercise.

Digging, weeding, watering, and planting can all provide some amazing exercise. If you need to be more physically active, gardening is a great way to do it.

9. Gardening provides quiet time for reflection.

Many gardeners love planting a garden because it provides them some time for reflection and meditation. If you need a little down time in your life, gardening may provide the perfect opportunity.

10. Gardening provides a chance to learn something new about nature.

When you grow a garden, it gives you the chance to learn new things about the plants you are growing. We are never too old to learn, and gardening gives the opportunity to let that happen!

11. You can enjoy active and fun gardening communities.

Online, you will find many active gardening groups, where gardeners exchange tips and tricks of the trade. You might also find local gardening groups, perfect for making friends and learning more.

12. You will always have fresh flowers for your home.

You don’t have to grow vegetables to have a garden! Enjoy fresh flowers in every room of your house when you grow a flower garden. Picking your own flowers each day will be fun and add so much color to your décor.

13. Gardening provides inexpensive gifts for family and friends.

Gardens provide the materials you need to make homemade jams, salsa, and so many other homemade gifts. This is a great way to provide inexpensive gifts for family and friends.

14. Gardening provides aromatherapy.

The smells of a garden can help you feel more relaxed and at ease. Forget lighting a candle for aromatherapy, just go to the garden.

15. Gardening is inexpensive.

You don’t need to be rich to plant a garden. Most of the items you need can be found around the house or even at your local dollar store. Seeds, soil, and pots can be found for cheap, which means you can grow so much food for less.

16. You can save money on your weekly grocery bill.

When you grow your own food, you will be saving heaps of money on your weekly grocery bill. You can grow items like tomatoes and cucumbers at pennies per pound, which is way less than most markets.

17. A garden can be an extension of your home.

A garden can feel like another room of your home. Place a small bistro table and chair in your garden so you can enjoy dinner or drinks in it.

18. Fresh food can be grown well into the Fall months.

Some plants can thrive well into the cool months. This means eating fresh and saving money even as winter approaches.

19. Gardens add curb appeal.

A garden can make your landscaping look nicer and add some curb appeal to those passing by.

20. Gardening helps the planet.

Flowers in your garden can help bees and butterflies pollinate our planet and keep it looking lush and beautiful!

Are you inspired to get growing? Consider these 20 reasons to plant a garden and start harvesting your own produce and reap the health benefits too!

Related Gardening posts:

How to Earn Money from your Garden

How to Earn Money from your Garden

Odds are, when you started your garden you were not thinking about how you could earn money from it. Over time you may have seen a bit of potential and started to think about how you could make money from your garden. Even a small thriving garden can earn a bit of extra money. If you are skilled or have plenty of space you can earn even more.

Today, I’d love to outline some ways that you can Earn Money from your Garden.

Sell extra produce

Often, the first issue that makes you think about how you could earn money from your garden is an overabundance of produce. You may be wondering just how you could ever use up that many tomatoes. Selling that extra produce is a great way to earn some cash and help save someone else some money. First, offering the produce for sale to friends and family will definitely help you reduce your overabundance. If you still have produce leftover, post a sign in front of your yard advertising produce for sale. You may have many neighbors stopping by!

Selling canned goods

Check your Province or city’s food laws to see if you can earn money from your garden by canning extra produce and selling the jars. Selling homemade jams, jellies, and other canned goods just might be the answer for you. Due to law, your sales are often limited to a few thousand a year, but that’s perfect for using up the extra food from your garden. Homemade canned jams and jellies make great gifts around the holidays and can end up selling very well.Earn money from your garden

Sell plants

Are you a whiz at getting seeds to sprout into strong thriving seedlings? Do you have plants in your garden or pots that need to be thinned out? Selling plants to other gardeners in your neighborhood is a great way to earn extra money from your garden. If you do not have plants to sell how about seeds? Cuttings from that prize plant your neighbors all love?

Teaching others gardening skills

Have you been gardening for years and have a beautiful thriving garden that neighbors admire? Why not offer to teach gardening classes in your home garden or even at the local library for a small fee? Depending on local interest, you can earn a good bit of money running classes on the topics of caring for plants, propagating cuttings, and keeping plants alive for the not so green thumbs. Often a bit of education is all that stands in the way of a thriving garden. Many parents are looking for summer activities for their children and learning to garden could be a great use of time and energy.

The important part of making money with your garden is to not allow the focus on earning to take the joy out of your garden. If you lose the joy that made your garden thrive in the first place, your garden will suffer. So start out small, have fun, and make the most of the opportunities that come your way.

Have you tried making some extra money from your garden? How did you do it?

10 Things You Should Grow in Your Garden This Year

As spring rolls in, the garden can go in with it! This year, start your garden off right by planning for success. Some plants are a must for a productive garden that you will love as you feed your family from your own hard work.

Here are 10 things you should grow in your garden this year:

I love this list of 10 things you should grow in your garden this year! #gardening #vegetablegardening

Lemon Grass.

Lemon Grass should be at the top of your list for your garden this year. This ornamental plant can be grown nearly anywhere in a pot. It keeps bugs away, bringing you peace from those pesky things. It can also be used to season and add flavor to foods. This Fresh Lemongrass Tea looks so refreshing!

Tomatoes.

This versatile plant can be used for so many dishes and even as a snack. (Sprinkled with salt and pepper…yum!) Tomatoes are packed with vitamins and are easy to grow. I especially like growing cherry tomatoes in containers.

Bell peppers.

With more vitamin C than an orange and plenty of flavor, bell peppers are a great addition to your garden and freeze well for later.

Bush beans.

Bush beans can be grown under plants that grow tall. Beans put nitrogen into the soil making them perfect companion plants to Carrots, Beets, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Kale, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Strawberries and Swiss Chard.

Pumpkin.

Pumpkins make a great ground covering plant that can shade the roots and stems or taller plants helping them thrive in the summer heat while providing you with great food in the fall harvest.

Basil.

This herb repels bugs and other pests helping to protect your garden while providing you with a tasty food for your table. Basil also makes a great edible edging plant for flower beds, helping maximize space. This Cold Pesto Pasta Salad is a great way to put basil to use.

Strawberries.

You will find in most areas the selection of fruit you can grow is limited. Strawberries are a great fruit that will grow nearly anywhere making it the perfect addition to your garden. They keep coming back better year after year and make a great potted plant.

Spinach.

If you’re looking for a green filler plant for your garden, spinach is just the plant for you. Spinach is high in vitamins and minerals, grows well in shaded areas with just a few hours of sun per day, and has nearly limitless ways to use in the kitchen.

Oregano.

Oregano is a classically Italian herb packed with medicinal qualities as well as a potent flavoring for your favorite dishes from pasta to pizza. This plant also makes a good filler plant that provides great food for your family.

Radishes.

When it comes to quick growing veggies that can help feed your family in less time, radishes are a great way to go.

I’d love to know what you like to grow in your vegetable garden every year. Let me know in the comments below!

Free Garden Journal Download

Garden Journal

Arbico Organics has a free Garden Journal download available! Here is what the journal will help you with:

  • Plot your garden to maximize your space in the most efficient way possibe.
  • Monitor quality, health and yields of different crops/plantings season on season.
  • Time pest control applications – preventive measures, beneficial insects, sprays, etc. – to ensure effectiveness.
  • Keep track of year on year trends to accelerate your learning process as a gardener.

Get your free Garden Journal Download here.