由 home-healthhaven 
As we move on from the pandemic, people will remember 2020 as the turning point between how life was before COVID-19 and how it is now. Despite all the loss and isolation, the pandemic made us realize we can no longer take things like grocery stores, gas stations, seeing friends and family, or dining out for granted. Technology and constant progress have often blinded us, but the pandemic lifted those blinders.
Growing your own food, or at least part of it, has never been more popular. People are now asking, what if food becomes unavailable? What if another lockdown causes a severe shortage of necessities?
These questions have led to the idea that relying completely on external sources for everything we need may not be wise. It’s more sensible, both financially and environmentally, to do what we can for ourselves.
Additionally, people are increasingly concerned about their health. Chronic illnesses, cancer, arthritis, and other diseases often tied to inflammation can be reduced or even prevented by eating the right foods. Simply put, eating healthily by growing your own fruits and vegetables can keep you healthy.
The space you have for a garden will influence what you can grow. If you live in suburban or rural areas, you might have space for crops like corn, potatoes, peas, and tomatoes. City dwellers might have room for just a few vertically growing plants like tomatoes, carrots, string beans, and peppers.
No matter your situation, choose plants your family will eat, that can grow in your soil, and that will thrive in the space you have. It’s important to keep your crops safe, too. Since you can’t monitor your garden 24/7, there are organic ways to deter pests, like scarecrows and brightly colored ribbons waving in the wind. However, these are temporary fixes. A more effective, long-term solution is deer fencing, which can last for decades and keeps pests out humanely, protecting your hard work and ensuring your vegetables are ready for harvest.
Gardening with your family offers physical and mental health benefits. It brings families together, diverting attention away from cell phones and encouraging real-time, hands-on participation. Gardening is educational for everyone, teaching kids about soil composition, climate analysis, organic farming methods, seed selection, and the magic of growing food from seeds to delicious fruits and vegetables.
Research shows that children who plant seeds and help with gardening develop a sense of accomplishment and are more likely to enjoy eating the fruits and vegetables they’ve grown.
Gardening fosters family bonds, patience, and a sense of belonging. It’s also good for the environment. From planning and planting to nurturing and maintaining crops, the entire process is an evolution that teaches valuable lessons. Gardeners, whether beginners or experts, learn, adapt, and enjoy the fruits of their labor together, enriching their lives and diets with healthy foods.
There’s a shift toward disease prevention through nutrient-rich foods grown at home, which are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that processed foods lack. By growing and eating healthy foods, we can reduce our dependence on processed options, which might become just occasional treats.
Organic produce is expensive due to high demand. Although people are willing to pay for the health benefits, it’s more economical to grow your own, if possible. For those concerned about animal, human, and environmental welfare, home gardening offers a healthy and cost-effective solution.
As we move into 2021, we’re learning that to keep our meals fresh, healthy, and tasty, we need a mindful, educational, and family-oriented approach to home gardening.