When we moved last year, I was so excited to see that our new place had a small greenhouse! I had never really gardened before and really wanted to try it out and Grow An Edible Garden for my family.
So, this spring, we are going to put that greenhouse to use and plant some stuff! Can’t wait! We can probably start soon!
I was emailed an article about ‘How To Grow An Edible Garden + Health Benefits for Families‘ and thought it was so helpful. I wanted to share it with you!
*This is a guest article
With Spring just around the corner, it’s time to boost your health and happiness with an edible garden. Gardening is relaxing, restorative and rewarding for both parents and kids and a great way to bring the family together.
Additionally, growing your own fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices is a great way to limit produce contaminants, hormones and pesticides your family is exposed to when shopping for non-organic produce. Locally-grown foods are also significantly less taxing on the environment because they require fewer resources to reach end consumers.
Landscape designer Sean Anderson of Mountainscapers has plenty of tips and tricks on starting your own edible garden in your own backyard.
Edible Gardening 101
Even if you’re extremely busy or restricted to indoor spaces, you can achieve the benefits of gardening. It’s a low-cost, low-impact hobby and you can invest as much or as little effort into it as you’d like.
Beginner gardeners can start with indoor plants in medium-sized pots, placed near a window or light source. Here are some general tips for beginner gardeners:
1. Buy starter plants from nurseries instead of using seeds. Seeds often require pre-soaking, and seedlings often die before they can make it to a larger pot. Established plants are much easier to grow.
2. Start with hardy plants. Pay attention to the care information that comes with your plants. Plants that grow wild in your region will most likely succeed in your home.
3. Don’t get discouraged! Plants are complex living organisms that have many needs. It’s okay if your plants die; learn from your mistakes and try again. The best gardening tools are practice and experience. If you want to start small, then put some pots on your deck, rather than digging them into the ground. This allows you to control their growth environment more. If you want to improve your garden by adding decking, then aluminium decking is a solid choice.
Here are some of the top edible plants we recommend for beginners:
● Aloe vera (the jelly in each stalk is a natural treatment for burns and irritated skin, and juice from stalks is delicious and soothing)
● Radishes (rich in ascorbic acid, folic acid, and potassium)
● Basil, thyme, rosemary, mint, and other herbs (fresh herbs add flavor to foods and teas, and herbs have medicinal properties)
● Ginger and turmeric root (extremely anti-inflammatory and medicinal)
If you’re more advanced, here are some other plants to try:
● Peppers, including bell peppers, sweet peppers, and chili peppers (rich in vitamins A, C, and K and phytochemicals)
● Tomatoes, including cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and larger varieties (rich in vitamins A, C, and K, folate, and potassium)
● Onions and garlic (extremely anti-inflammatory and great sources of flavonoids)
● Carrots (rich in antioxidants and vitamin A)
● Potatoes (filled with phytochemicals and vitamin B6)
Plants for an outdoor garden:
● Pumpkins (rich in carotenoids and the amino acid tryptophan)
● Zucchini (contain high levels of vitamin A, vitamin C, and dietary fiber)
● Most varieties of squash (contain high levels of vitamin A, carotenoids, and folate)
● Cucumbers (good for hydration, aid digestion, and contains many vitamins)
● Lemons and limes (rich in vitamin C, and have antibacterial and antiviral properties)
● Figs (rich in phytochemicals, antioxidants, and B-complex vitamins)
● Most varieties of apples (full of soluble fiber and vitamin C)
● Sunflowers (seeds have anti-inflammatory properties, and are rich in vitamin E)
B Alexandra says
I have just recently gotten into growing flowers and really want to grow our pumpkins for Halloween. I am such a newbie though it is overwhelming.
Richard Hicks says
Some good advice for newbies and greenthumbs!
Stephanie says
i like to plant tomatoes
slehan says
I live in a townhouse without a garden. I spend a lot of time at the botanic gardens.
slehan at juno dot com
Jennifer H. says
I would like to have a greenhouse!
kcgmorris says
How cool! Having a greenhouse must be so exciting! We just started growing mint, basil and some flowers indoors. I can’t wait to try a lemon tree soon!
Katie Bellamy says
I want a Greenhouse with a view like that!! 🙂
monique s says
I think it is both important and fun to grow your own food, if possible
Kayla Klontz says
I’d love to grow my own cucumbers!
Lula Ruger says
We will probably have a garden . I really enjoy it . It is so fun to pick and cook your own vegetables
Shelley P says
I’d like to expend my garden this year and add a few new things! Maybe try the herbs on your list 🙂
jberry says
I’ve been thinking of nothing else w/ the unseasonably warm weather.
jalapenomamamn says
Since I am a gardener so enjoyed reading this post.
Thanks for helpful info.
Barbara Montag
vickiecouturier says
we put out a small garden every year,,we love having fresh vegetables on hand
Maryann D. says
Edible gardening would be so much fun to do. I wish I had more time, but it would be great for my family since my daughter is vegan.
Anne Scott says
Growing your own food is a wonderful activity for the family!
Marcie W. says
I think growing food for your family and becoming more self sustainable is a very good idea. I wish that process was easier here in the Las Vegas desert.
Ashley Meggitt says
I love growing and nurturing plants and flowers! I have very fond memories of helping my grandfather with his garden when I was younger. He taught me everything I know! I grow herbs in my kitchen year round! I love the freshness that it adds to my dishes.
gracefulcoffee says
This is so cool! 😀
Kim K says
Thanks for your tool edible tips for beginners.
Anita Triglia Mitchell says
I love to plant tomatoes,lettuce and other salad makings. Yummy!
Ashley S says
I have always wanted to grow my own garden. Now that I have bought a house, I have no excuse. Thanks for the tips!
Alyson Little says
This is such a cute idea I’ve actually really been wanting to get one of those little indoor garden things where you can just do herbs and maybe smaller stuff, just to work my way up to something bigger and with more responsibility! Lol
Darcy L Koch says
I would love to grow a garden but do not have the space to start one. I do often get the profits of my neighbor’s garden.
Natalie says
I have always wanted to grow my own tomatoes and zucchini.
Barbara Lowe says
I grow a pot of basil
tat2gurlzrock says
I wish we had the room to have a garden. I have grown herbs before. Love your greenhouse!
Cynthia C says
I would love to plant an edible garden but I have too much shade for most things. I grow mostly shade tolerant ornamentals.
Laura says
I’ve been meaning to start a garden. Maybe this year! 🙂
Janet W. says
I’d like to add to our outdoor garden with these good ideas! We usually grow tomatoes every year.
Elena says
I would love to grow more veggies in my garden
Margaret Smith says
My family and I plant a garden each year. My kids really love growing their own veggies. They get so excited when everything grows.