Growing an Edible Garden

Growing an Edible Garden Growing an edible garden is something you might have read in journals but neglected it thinking it isn’t worth it. No doubt, gardening is an enjoyable but tiring job for people of all ages, but with adequate planning, you can make an edible garden worth the struggle. The vegetables you find in the market are expensive, infected with pests, or in worst scenarios, not available. Before you spend all your hard-earned money or put your family at risk by letting them eat pest-infected veggies, read our guide. We have combined a comprehensive guide on tips and an effective plan to grow your edible garden – let’s get started! Benefits of Growing an Edible Garden Growing an edible garden comes with a lot of benefits you may not know. Let’s have a look at them. Fresh Food Yes, you read that right. Food that you grow yourself is the healthiest for your family. Vegetables that grow in the market are pesticide infected. Pesticides have negative impacts on the nervous system, skin, eyes or may even cause cancer. Inexpensive Veggies All you need to grow your vegetables is a few gardening tools, fresh soil, water, sunlight, and seeds. The combined cost of these things can still be 50% lesser than the price you get your vegetables from the market. Gardening is Therapeutic Research shows that gardening has a positive effect on your mental health. Not only does gardening help grow mindset, but it also makes us feel connected to the world. Reduces Environmental Impacts Do you know that pests and fertilizers are the top sources of water pollution in the US? If you grow vegetables in your garden, it will lower pesticide and fertilizers use, reducing its environmental impacts. Physical Activity Have you ever heard about killing two birds with one stone? We can relate it to edible gardening. Besides getting fresh vegetables, physical activity involved in growing some improves endurance and flexibility. You can involve your kids in this activity too. Enjoyment Gardening is said to increase spirituality. Seeing plants grow, flowers bloom, and vegetables will make you feel a deep connection with nature. How to Start an Edible Garden You need to consider some factors before you start growing your edible garden. Let’s start with space. An edible garden can begin with as little as one pot space. You have to choose an area that receives sufficient sunlight, is protected from harsh winds, and has easy water access. In addition, make sure that the ground is flat and does not become slippery when you water the plants. Note: some edible plants require shade to grow, so choose an area for them accordingly. Soil’s nature plays a significant role. The more well-draining and nutrient-rich a soil is, the better your plants will grow. Here are some tests to check your garden’s soil.  Also, an ideal soil’s PH ranges between 6-7. Ask yourself; what do you need to grow. Is it something that requires more space or something that grows at high temperatures? Choose the plants best suited to your area’s weather and climate conditions. Steps to Grow an Edible Garden Have you monitored all the necessary factors before growing an edible garden? Now, let’s jump to the steps to grow one.

1. Decide the area you are going to use to grow edible plants.
2. If you don’t have good soil in the garden, get it.
3. Choose the plants and make sure they are easy to grow and climate-friendly.
4. Buy the seeds.
5. Buy essential gardening tools. (do not spend too much on gardening tools, and edible garden requires basic tools only)
6. Welcome pollinating animals such as bees and butterflies.
7. Don’t forget to label your plants and care for them accordingly.

Note that not all crops are easy to grow, so choose them accordingly. Tips to Grow an Edible Garden Yeah, we have combined some super-handy tips so you can successfully grow your edible garden.

• Start with removing weed regularly. Weed is the real animal of your edible garden as it keeps sucking rich nutrients out of the soil.
• Compost all your kitchen scrap. Whether it is grains, eggshell, old bread, or banana peels, shred it to make rich compost.
• Use organic fertilizersinstead of chemical fertilizers.
• Finally, use non-chemical and inexpensive pests such as salt spray, garlic spray, onion spray, and chili spray.

Growing an edible garden requires a lot of patience and care but believe us, it is worth it. FAQ –⁠ Growing an Edible Garden Below are some frequently asked questions regarding growing an edible garden What are the Fastest Growing Edible Plants? Many edible plants will grow fast to make your garden greener. Starting with sunflower shoots. Sunflower shoots are packed with nutrition and have a sweet and light flavor. They can grow in only 12 days. Radishes and scallions follow sunflower shoots. With a growing time of only 21 days, we list radishes and scallions as second in the list of fastest-growing edible plants. Finally, spinach and lettuce. These nutrition-packed green leaves take only 30 days to grow and are then ready to eat. What is the Easiest Edible Plant to Grow? Potatoes and salad leaves. Potatoes can be grown in potato bags, buckets, or under the ground. Start with adding a small amount of compost to the potato bag. When green shoots appear, cover the sprouts with compost again. Repeat this process until the bag is full. Potato takes around 70-120 days to grow. When fully grown, topple the potato bag and collect all the potatoes. Besides potatoes, salad leaves are also easy to grow. Also, we can harvest them again and again. Start with planting salad leaves and keep them watered to ensure that the leaves are crispy and fresh. They typically grow in 21 days. Cut them according to your need. They can grow again with the same roots. Is Edible Garden Worth It? Yes, if you grow quickly and easy to grow plants, you will understand how rewarding growing an edible garden is. If you choose to plant seeds that are not easy-to-grow, the therapeutic and relaxing feeling, availability of fresh vegetables, and enjoyment makes growing an edible garden worth it. Final Words Growing an edible garden can be a mind-boggling experience for all. Where you get to eat fresh and pest-free vegetables, growing an edible garden can also be a curative and beautiful experience. Ensure you consider all the necessary factors to grow an edible garden and plant seeds that can quickly develop with your area’s climate. Happy reading, happy planting!