2020 saw an inevitable boom when it came to the number of people who wanted to grow their vegetables at home. No longer was this way of living a trend that died off. Previously, this hobby was thought of as something that only the older generation took part in; now, everyone wanted to try their hand at growing fresh produce at home. If magazines and online articles are to be believed, starting your own vegetable patch and learning how to grow fruit, veggies, and herbs is something pretty easy to get started. You can be on your way in a few relatively simple steps. One such factor of becoming more self-sufficient and growing your own food that shouldn't be overlooked is the benefits this simple task can have on your life. In fact, this way of life has so much more to offer you than just edible food. What exactly are the benefits of growing your own vegetables?

Being more conscious of the type of food we put into our bodies will always be a good thing. With a focus on choosing organic produce, growing your own means, you will know exactly how it has been cultivated and what chemicals, if any, have been used to grow your crop. This will allow you to eat a healthier, more natural diet and enjoy fresh produce as it is intended. Enjoy fruits and vegetables that are more nutritious, flavourful and better for you. While we discuss how nutritious freshly grown fruits and vegetables are, you can also get your daily intake of Vitamin D from the sun, which can help protect our bodies against certain diseases and aid strong teeth and bones. Another welcome side effect is that the work involved in growing your little food patch is the extra exercise you will get into your day, especially when you first set up the patch and get everything ready. The more you grow, the more work will be involved meaning the more exercise you get. Exercise isn't about being cooped up in a gym and getting outside into the great outdoors if you will have just as many health benefits as an instructor-led workout.

A lot of fresh produce travels many miles before ultimately reaching your plate. This means that if you are looking at your personal carbon footprint, the miles your food has travelled will play a part in creating a bigger carbon footprint. If you want to live a more sustainable, eco-friendly life, then growing your own veggies can help you reduce your food miles and carbon footprint, making it healthier for you to eat and better for the environment.

You are never too old to learn new tricks or skills. Once you take that first step to grow your own food, you will open yourself to learning new skills, gaining more information, and applying what you learn in different areas of your life. From learning about the best soil type to plant tomatoes, choose the right Mushroom dowel to grow your own mushrooms and beyond. Irrigation, pest control, food preparation and even meal and recipe ideas are all areas you can gain new knowledge in and teach yourself new skills.

Sure, you will need an initial outlay when it comes to preparing your garden for growing fresh produce, but in the long run, you can look to eat fresher, tastier fruit and vegetables that are in season right form your own property. This will save you money on purchasing the items and potentially other costs associated with going to your local store or farmers market to purchase what you are growing. While you won't grow everything depending on your climate, you can drastically reduce your food bills by simply growing them yourself. So now you know the benefits associated with growing your own food, what exactly do you need to know before taking the plunge?

Have all your tools ready to prepare the ground before you decide to plant anything. You want to choose good quality tools to work easier and quicker and not hinder the process. The harder it feels it is to do, the less inclined you will be to do it. At the very least, you need the following;

You will also need to prepare your soil, so it is in optimum condition for planting to facilitate growth. You need well-aerated soil that is adequately watered and is free from debris and stones. Do a pH test to check the levels in your soil - you want to aim for a slightly acidic soil to grow most crops, but there are a few exceptions to this.

Are you placing your patch directly in the ground in your garden, or do you want raised beds? Alternatively, you can consider containers to get you started and get a feel for what is involved. You need to make sure there is enough sunlight in the part of the garden you want to use to give your crop the best chance of succeeding in your garden. Once you have identified the perfect lace, you need to plan your layout before planting anything. Give each plant enough room to grow and get equal sunlight fully. Avoid having different plants growing in the shades of others if they are a sun-loving variety, as this will hinder how well they can grow in your garden.

Then lastly, you need to decide what you want to grow. You can grow most things from seeds; however, as a beginner, you may find that buying seedlings that have already been started will help you out until you get to grips with your patch and develop your skills. Pay close attention to any direction on the packaging or from your local garden centre etc. Make sure to plant them in the correct season and in a place they will thrive.