Why It’s Better To Grow Vegetables and Fruits at Home

Fully organic produce has become a rarity in today’s world. Now, instead of growing their vegetables and fruit at home, most people opt for a quick stop at their local supermarket to stock up fresh produce. However, this product is generally contaminated with pesticides, which can be toxic to your health if consumed regularly. In addition to this, store-bought produce is usually a result of genetic modification, which has received criticism from all corners of the world and can harm your health.

Growing your own vegetables and fruits allows you to dodge GMOs, pesticides, and other undesirable things. In addition to this, there are many other benefits of maintaining your garden, which is discussed in detail below:

1.   GMO-Free Seeds

Large-scale distributors of fruits and vegetables use genetically modified seeds. These seeds produce genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and are tailored to express desirable traits over non-desirable ones with the help of a variety of genetic engineering techniques. In the world of fresh produce, GMO seeds allow for us to have redder, rounder tomatoes, or more smooth and round potatoes; they make fresh produce look better on the outside.

However, GMO seeds often give rise to fruits and vegetables that look good on the outside but lack taste and have an imbalance in terms of essential nutrients. This is a result of scientists tampering with the vegetable or fruit’s natural genetic library. While some forms of genetic modification, like selective breeding, are okay, others, like using enzymes to alter the seed’s DNA, can be harmful towards your health.

GMOs have been debated for decades now, and many agree that they are less healthy than organic, on-GMO foods. Sadly, GMOs are difficult to dodge, especially when shopping at your regular grocery store. However, growing your own fresh produce enables you to obtain GMO-free food. Just make sure to use GMO-free seeds when tending to your garden patch, and you’ll have a set of healthy and all-natural products in no time!

2.   Pesticide-Free Food

Growing food in your own garden allows you to choose exactly what goes into it and what stays out. If you’re conscious about your health, you may want to avoid using pesticides. Using artificially synthesized chemicals like weed killer and bug spray can remove unwanted pests, but also leave your food in a compromised position.

When pesticides are sprayed over crops, they kill unwanted pests. However, the pesticides remain on the plant, and many even manage to penetrate the fruit of vegetable’s outer layers and become embedded within. When you eat these crops, the pesticides enter your body with the food. While pesticide manufacturers argue that consuming small amounts of these chemicals is safe, many people feel that allowing them into your body can harm your health in the long run. Growing your own food will enable you to leave out the option of using these harsh chemicals. Instead, you can manually remove pests, or add helpful bugs, like ladybugs, to keep unwanted insects, like aphids, at bay.

3.   Improves Your Mental Health

We live in a fast-paced world, and slowing down is a near-impossible task for most of us. As a result, many people end up with toxic levels of stress and anxiety, which cost them their mental stability. Hobbies like gardening can help us slow down and reconnect with nature. They can aid in stress-relief, too. Being around nature is known to reduce anxiety, and spending time tending to your seeds can help you calm down.

Mental health generally doesn’t receive enough attention and is often swept under the rug. However, thanks to social media and the internet, more people are speaking up about mental health; a common way to do this is by publishing an essay on the topic. A well-written essay has the power to change the reader’s perspective, which is essential when arguing about mental health. There are many essay samples available on the internet. You can find samples on all kinds of topics related to mental health on the internet and use these essay samples to expand your knowledge of the subject. You can also find essay examples on other topics related to gardening and mental health. Popular examples include essays about using GMO crops, how gardening affects your mental health, and why gardening should be encouraged.

4.   Vitamin D Exposure

If you’re someone who plans on growing their own food, chances are you’ll be spending plenty of time under the sun. This can help your body stock up on essential vitamin D. Vitamin D levels can fall to dangerously low levels when a person stays out of the sun for too long. Low levels of this vitamin can contribute to fatigue, excessive sleepiness, and constant tiredness. It can also encourage depression and worsen symptoms in those who are already struggling with the condition. We must maintain our vitamin D levels, and gardening under natural sunlight is a great way to make sure you’re getting enough of the vitamin.

5.   Save Money on Groceries

Buying seeds is significantly more affordable than buying ripe vegetables. By growing your own food, you can cut down on your monthly grocery costs and save a large amount of money in the long run. Not to mention, you’ll be rewarded with tasty, wholesome fresh produce once your seeds mature.

Conclusion

Growing your food has many benefits ranging from helping you improve your mental health to reducing grocery costs. Once you begin to grow your fruits and vegetables, there’s no going back! It is a wholesome experience that’s certainly worth trying out; not only will it help you slow down and connect with nature, it will also leave you with the satisfaction of having grown food using your own hands.