Summer is around the corner and I’m looking forward to having fresh and chemical free vegetables. Backyard Vegetable Gardening has become a part of my soul. My grandfather was a gardener, and I guess it seeped into my heart when I visited his farmette during the summer. There are many reasons to garden, but the health benefits alone are a good enough reason to at least have a small garden.
I’ve been backyard gardening for several years and wanted to share the health benefits of having a kitchen garden:
1. High In Antioxidants
Garden herbs help reduce heart attacks. Additionally, they are high in antioxidants according to Fitness Magazine. Oregano, basil, rosemary and parsley are a few of the herbs that you will find in my backyard kitchen garden. I love using oregano and basil in my sauces, parsley on potatoes and rosemary on chicken and in stuffing dishes.
2. Exercise
Having a backyard kitchen garden provides an opportunity to get moderate exercise. It required you to use your arms to rake and hoe, bend and stoop to plant vegetables, herbs and flowers. Furthermore, you stretch and use muscles that you haven’t used for some time. Personally, the first few days in my backyard garden leaves my muscles sore and helps for me get a good night’s sleep.
3. Boosts Vitamin D
Sunshine is the best way to boost Vitamin D intake. I could be in my garden for an hour or two several days a week. So, I wear a sunhat and plenty of sunscreen while gardening. Bug spray helps too.
4. Reduces Stress
Gardening reduces the Cortisol level, which is produced when you’re feeling stressed. Pulling weeds and nurturing your backyard garden plants can be therapeutic. It provides an opportunity to clean your head, think about life and make future plans.
5. Better Nutrition
Home grown vegetables, herbs and fruits provide better nutrition and are more flavorful than most store produce. Most importantly, my backyard garden is organic. No harmful chemicals are used in our around my garden.
So, home grown herbs and vegetables have become an important staple in my home. Additionally, I look forward to picking fresh lettuce, tomatoes and herbs for my dishes And, preserving them for use during the winter. The flavor versus what is purchased in a grocery store is beyond comparison. I enjoy walking into my garden and retrieving peppers and tomatoes straight from the vine when I’m cooking. The fresh herbs provide a wonderful enhancement to sauces, stuffing and salads. Fresh cucumbers straight from the vine, basil and spring water makes a refreshing drink on hot summer days.
Start planting and reap these health benefits as well as a new found flavor and perspective on fruits and vegetables. Start with container gardening. Plant a few herbs and tomatoes in containers, and than start planning for next year’s raised bed or roll gardens.
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@J – Lol, I love your humor. I do love gardening. It's a great stress reliever for me. I'm going to add more flowers to the garden this year. Now, if I could only eat my grandson to eat more of the veggies. He does like cucumbers and corn. My granddaughter loves them. Thanks for stopping by.
@Jane Rutkowski – Thanks for stopping by. I agree, being out in the sunshine clears your head and makes you feel better. Nothing like fresh air and sunshine. Nice to find a fellow gardener. I'll be stopping by.
I am so glad you are able to enjoy something that I would really love to have! We lived on a wooded lot with poor soil and so much shade that it's impossible to grow anything besides mosquitoes and weeds!
I'm sure your grandson will enjoy harvesting and cooking right along with you!
Nice post. I love gardening for many of the reasons you mentioned. For me being out in the sunshine makes me feel wonderful! 🙂