Planting Your Own Vegetables

When the Covid19 pandemic started, I was shocked at how much we relied on shopping for all our day to day needs. Even though we do have a small vegetable patch, the thought of always relying on an outside source put me in a state of panic. I then realised why my grandparents lived well into their 80s because most of the food that they ate was what they farmed. When people started panic buying, I felt that we are at the mercy of who ever supplies the shops. Don\’t get me wrong, not everyone can be a farmer, but it would make sense to introduce your children to planting and growing fruit and vegetables. Now that the weather is getting warmer, it is the ideal time to think about planting. I am going to list the various things to consider if you decide to plant your own vegetables.

Advantages of growing your own vegetables

The advantages of growing your own vegetables are that, you can save money after the initial setting up costs, reduce your carbon footprint , eat healthier as you can choose not to use fertilizers and also eating fresher. It can also help with keeping fit as it is labour intensive. This exercise can also teach children delayed gratification as they watch the plants grow and wait for the time to harvest. You can also create your own compost, especially using banana peels and egg shells as fertilizer which can be a good recycling exercise.

Disadvantages of growing your own vegetables

The disadvantages are that it can be time consuming, you may need to set aside a lot of time probably daily to tend to your plants. This needs planning and also will require spending a bit of money to get started. The initial start up cost can be expensive, but once you have all the tools, the ongoing financial needs can be controlled by recycling shoots from older plants, collecting and drying seeds from harvested vegetables. Other disadvantages are that there can be some occupational hazards in gardening, such as back injury due to incorrect posture and carrying heavy equipment, insect bites, or even snake bites. Gardening can also be rough on your hands if you do not put on gloves. Eye injuries due to soil going into your eyes. However with the correct equipment and planning, these risks can be averted.

Different ways to plant

If you do not have outdoor space, plants can be planted in pots or you can rent an allotment from your local city/town council. The allotments are good in that you can make it a day out and also you get to socialise with other people with allotments and get ideas on what to grow and when. You get to share and exchange seeds, seedlings and some tools. My niece who has an allotment has even managed to sell her vegetables on line as it is possible to grow more that you need. Also you can freeze any extra vegetables that you grow and eat them when they are out of season.

Green house

You can also get a green house so that you can plant all year round and harvest all year round. A green house can take up space but it can also create space in that plants can be grown in pots on shelves in the green house or you can create a vertical garden along its wall.

I am going to list a few tools and accessories that are essential when starting such a project and the different settings that can be made appropriate for this project. First

Tools

Large Garden fork for turning the soil

Shovel

Hoe for turning the soil

Rake for levelling the soil

Gloves for protect your hands

Kneeling pad

Garden net

Compost bin

Straberries

Raspberry tree

Carrots

Potatoes

Lettuce

Kale

Apple trees

Pear trees

Indoor plants