Why grow your own Veggies?

  People ask, why do you take time to grow a garden? Well there are many reason's why. Each vegetable you grow in your little garden on average has 3 times the vitamins and minerals that a store bought veggie has. The taste is so much richer and fresher, you won't believe the difference in the two. Mainly because must supermarket veggies have been grow in hot house (hydroponics), so you don't get all the good stuff from the soil. That's why it is so important to have good soil! When the distance from the garden to the table is just a few feet away, you will enjoy just harvested, nutrient packed produce that is superior to any store bought counter part because it is so fresh. Your garden doesn't have to be huge, as a matter of fact you can grow the a great selection of veggies on a sunny deck or patio.

  Another reason and one of my main reason's is because you can grow them organically. Most commercial growers use chemical pesticides and fertilizers that can harm you and your family when ingested all the time. A chemical fertilizer is defined as any inorganic material of wholly or partially synthetic origin that is added to the soil to sustain plant growth. Many artificial fertilizers contain acids, such as sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid, which tend to increase the acidity of the soil, reduce the soil's beneficial organism population and interfere with plant growth. Generally, healthy soil contains enough nitrogen-fixing bacteria to fix sufficient atmospheric nitrogen to supply the needs of growing plants. However, continued use of chemical fertilizer may destroy these nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Furthermore, chemical fertilizers may effect plant health. For example, citrus trees tend to yield fruits that are lower in vitamin C when treated with high nitrogen fertilizer. Fungus and bacterial disease resulting from the lack of trace elements in soil regularly dosed with chemical fertilizers is not uncommon. This lack of vital micronutrients can generally be attributed to the use of chemical fertilizers. On the other hand organic fertilizer such as manure treated with CBPA adds nutrients to soil, increases soil organic matter, improves soil structure and tilth, improves water holding capacity, reduces soil crusting problems, reduces erosion from wind and water, improves water holding capacity and improves buffering capacity against fluctuations in pH levels.

  A few more reason to have your own garden spot is:

 

• The GWA’s survey found that the main reason given for increasing or maintaining edible gardening last year was to supplement household food supply — to help them save money on food. That alone is a very powerful reason.
• There is nothing more local than food grown in your own backyard, your windowsills, or on patio containers.
• Growing your own fruits and vegetables means that you know exactly what does and does not go into your food and exactly where it comes from. As stated earlier!
• You will get a bigger variety of your favorite fruits and vegetables because you can choose from hundreds of different varieties and you can grow the things you like the best.
• You can teach your children or grandchildren where their food actually comes from and that it doesn’t come from the supermarket but from the soil, the earth that we all depend on.

   But one reason that must people forget when talking about gardening is that it is fun and a little quiet time. It is known to be a great stress reliever and we can all use that. As I have said in other post's I use that time to think on the things of God. He has given use all that we have. We can thank Him and praise Him for all that He is and has given us. So as you are tending your garden and listening remember all that God is!

 Luke 12:24 "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?"

Link up on a blog hop at: http://yourgardeningfriend.com/2012/02/03/fridays-photo-blog-hop-no-4/