At the start of the 20th century, over half of Americans lived in rural areas, and our way of life and diet were linked. But today, fewer than 2% of people live on farms or ranches.
We designed this guide to help you grow your food, no matter where you live.
Challenges of Home Food Gardening
New gardeners face unique challenges. Many Millennials live in cities. They rent homes, so finding space and sunlight for gardening is hard. They often grow food in their kitchens or community gardens.
Millennials earn less than previous generations and face high inflation, including food costs. Processed foods are cheaper than fresh produce, making it hard for budget-conscious people to buy and wait for plants or seeds to grow.
Composting is also tricky in small indoor spaces. Yet, with local composting ordinances, a circular food system is more complex and accessible.
Yet, with some research and creativity, anyone can create an affordable edible garden of any size.
The Benefits of Growing Your Food
Growing your food provides benefits to both personal and planetary well-being. It can create a circular waste stream, educate you on your local climate, and even save money.
Reduces Food Waste
Up to 40% of food in the United States is wasted, which is a devastating and unsustainable reality. We must feed our ever-growing population. Food grown at home is less likely to go to waste because it can easily be picked fresh and consumed immediately. Plus, it tastes great!
Reduces Transportation Emissions
Home gardening reduces transportation emissions by cutting out the need to transport produce from farm to store to table. A 2008 study found that about 15% of food emissions occur after food leaves the farm. This does not count the emissions from consumer transport home. By growing the foods you eat, you can reduce your mileage. That is, the mileage driven by a grocery delivery service. And you can save time.
Turns Food Scraps Into New Food
There’s a composting option for you no matter where you live. After using your homegrown veggies and herbs in a broth, repurpose the scraps into food for your food. Welcome to your circular kitchen.
Provides Homes for Pollinators
An edible garden is excellent. It attracts pollinators like bees, butterflies, birds, and bats.
Helps Sequester Carbon in Soil
Consider making your kitchen garden a carbon garden by attracting moonrisetoday pollinators. This can help create a natural plant-animal relationship that acts as a carbon sink, removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Improves Health
A study from Texas A&M found that gardening can reduce stress and anxiety. Growing your food also encourages you to eat more fruits and vegetables, cuts your pesticide intake, and connects you to your food.
Saves You Money
Indeed, here’s an alternative: You can cultivate various foods with little investment. Celery can be regrown from scraps, and green onions can be grown in a jar of water. Mint and basil are culinary herbs. They can grow in containers by a kitchen window. They are often as cheap as precut herbs.
Getting Started
Getting your kitchen garden started is easy. Once you know where you’ll grow, you can plan your fruits and veggies and celebrate your climate victory.
Select Your Garden Location
Growing food is possible without a piece of land. If you can access sunlight and water, you can grow inside or outside. You can grow herbs and vegetables in small containers, even with a well-lit window.
Understand Your Hardiness Zone
Edible gardens look different in South Dakota than in Florida. The USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map is a valuable resource for gardeners, guiding them in selecting plants best suited to thrive in a specific zip code.
Understanding your microclimate will help or hinder your gardening. It allows you to build a challenging and diverse garden that can provide food for years. Consider integrating the principles of bioregionalism into the design of your kitchen garden.
Choose Good Soil
Suppose your yard has quality, well-drained soil; plant directly in it. Otherwise, use purchased soil in raised beds like container gardeners. High-end organic soil is a good investment for beginners. Remember, while topsoil remains stable, potting soil decomposes and needs replenishing yearly.
Water Deeply and Infrequently
To foster root growth, water your plants deeply but with less frequency. In hot climates or with terracotta containers, you may need to water twice daily if the top two inches of soil are dry. To avoid waterlogging, it’s important to ensure that the containers have adequate drainage.
Feed Your Plants Nutrients
Fertilize your garden weekly. Container gardens need more nutrients than ground gardens due to water loss. Mulching helps keep nutrients and moisture, especially in drought-prone areas.
Enjoy Your Harvest
Nothing tastes better than the food you grew yourself; after all your hard work gardening, you deserve a celebration. Invite some friends over for dinner. You another gardener to take up the trowel.