Tuesday, February 7, 2012

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/

44 comments:

  1. I love this post. Especially the part about gardening being a stress reliever! :) Thanks for sharing. I look forward to more great info.

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    1. Thank you Dollwood for stopping in. My hope is that we can all share ideas and learn from each other. Happy gardening!

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  2. That's why I only use organic fertilizers in my garden. I just starting composting for the first time, too. Can't wait to get that into my spring garden!

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    1. For the past 3 years I have had bins made out of old pallets! They were free, but because of what they are made of they rotted at the bottoms! So we had a good fire! I just yesterday had to build one for my first load of horse manure! Fun, Fun!

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  3. Very good reasons! Exactly why I garden. Your last point is so true, what a great time to praise our Provider for His provisions! Ok, for some reason your blog is not showing up on my roll. I deleted you and am going to try again. I've had to do this several times on a couple of other blogs. So we'll see what happens today.

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    1. If you listen to the birds, while you are out there. They sing to Him all the time!

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  4. Well said! I agree completely..and gardening is a wonderful way to see the amazing glory of God's hand in life.

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  5. I don't know what I'd do without my garden. It provides us with food, it's helped me develop all kinds of skills (canning, freezing, dehydrating), my daughter is learning so much, and I just plain enjoy being out in the fresh air and sunshine.

    I also grow extra for our chickens. We get lots and lots of pumpkins from the garden, which I store in my basement. Every so often I toss a pumpkin in the chicken run during the winter to give them fresh food to go with their grain. They also get winter squash, kitchen scraps, etc., but the pumpkins are their biggest source of fresh in the cold months.

    I've never bought fertilizer, either, at least not in a bag. We have chickens, and we have friends with horses, alpacas and cows, so we get all that and add it in. Our garden is beautiful and healthy, with very few pest issues (mostly bigger pests like deer). We work hard, but we enjoy it, and it gives me great comfort to garden.
    :)
    -Laura at TenThingsFarm

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    1. So true! We don't have chickens yet but thats on the list for the near future! It is so rewarding at the end of the day, isn't it! Thanks for commenting, please come back and share again!

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  6. It is a lot of work, but it's healthy work, and last year during the summer when our veggies were all coming in, our grocery bill was reduced in half for a few months, which was wonderful!

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    1. Isn't that something about your bill? Do you all can yours for the winter as well? I do, my wife doesn't like me messing up the kitchen but she likes the finished product!

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  7. My children have been raised on garden vegetables and won't hardly eat anything from the supermarket! I grow a large majority of our food every year and can/dehydrate or freeze the excess. Keeping both chickens and rabbits keeps me in both eggs/meat and fertilizer for my garden with minimal fencing or barn expenses. There is no better place than the garden to relax, get exercise and pray. I have prayer meeting every weeding session, just me the weeds and God : )

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    1. Thats what I was raised on too! We had 50 plus head of cows and when I got married and my wife first saw the meat she thuaght there was something wrong with it becuase it wasn't bright red with preservatives and food color! lol

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  8. So glad you stopped by my blog! I can't wait to read what you have here. My family is pretty new to gardening. We've had a few trial runs on rental properties, but we always had to move out before the harvest!! So far our biggest inspiration has come from the free online movie, Back to Eden. Do check it out.

    Blessings,
    Kerri

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    1. I can't wait to spend more time on everyones blog over the next couple of days. We just went from 60 degree weather to 30 degree weather and snow! So maybe I can stay inside a little! Thank you for following!

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  9. My grandma always grew her own veggies in her garden... pretty big garden, too. My mom has a small garden, but it grows enough tomatoes, green pepper, & other veggies to keep us all supplied!

    Thanks for visiting =)

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    1. Thank you for visiting as well. I hope we can learn much from each other!

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  10. Great post Clint. I knew chemical fertilizers were something to avoid, but never heard such a good explanation of the reasons. It all seems so logical. It amazes me more folks don't want to garden too.

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    1. It amazes me as well. Just look at children these days, they are future along in development because of the hormones and stuff they put in chemical fertilizers and in meats! Our kids should be a good reason to start.

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  11. I'm looking forward to starting my seeds for spring! A couple of more weeks yet...

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    1. With the unseasonable warm weather, we cold start early, maybe!

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    2. Thank you for linking up with Rural Thursday, Clint. Appreciate your information! :)

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    3. You are welcome! I enjoy Rural Journal and would someday, like to be at a point to help host a Hop with you all!

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  12. Gardening really bring me closer to my Creator. I am always amazed at His creation and the way things grow. Really enjoying your blog and thanks so much for linking up to my "Made From Scratch" blog hop.
    Lisa

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    1. You are welcome for linking up! Yes, being in the garden does give us time to draw closer to Him!

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  13. Thank you for stopping by and commenting on my pictures. Nice blog!
    Have a blessed day!
    Allison

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    1. Thank you Allison for stopping by also and for the nice comments! U have a blessed day as well!

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  14. i really need to start planning ours!

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    1. Yes you do, My new post might help you get started!

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  15. What fantastic reasons to garden. We just moved to three acres in the backwoods and I'm so excited to be putting our first garden in this year!

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    1. It will be some much fun! And the stuff you find in the ground. Its like a treasure hunt! Stop back by and happy Gardening!

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  16. I love growing my own vegetable garden n reaping the benefits! It's a miracle in progress to watch them grow!!!

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    1. It sure is a miracle, we have been so blessed and He shows Himself in the garden often!

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  17. Great reasons to grow your own! I love being able to walk out to the garden and "pick" dinner! :)

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  18. Hi Clint,
    I really enjoyed your argument. I garden for the same reasons, especially the stress reduction... Life is too busy it seems until you take a walk in a garden. Thank you for sharing a really valuable post on the country homemaker hop.

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    1. Amen to that Heidi! I really like when I think I am there alone and He reminds me that He is right there with me! :-)

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  19. Wow, I knew home grown veggies were healthier for you, but I thought it was mainly because of the chemicals used elsewhere. I didn't realize they have more nutrients, etc. Great info!

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    1. Hey Kelly, There are so many reasons. The biggest reason is to just have fun!

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  20. Excellent post, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject. Is it not as it was meant to be from the very beginning for us to eat ours foods fresh from the land.:)

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