Growing your own food is an accomplishment in and of itself. It requires patience and care, and it comes with an actual reward at the end. Depending on the fruits and vegetables you grow, it could help you save money, improve your overall nutrition, and reduce your environmental impact. However, that’s only true for certain crops. Here are 5 things you should be growing instead of buying.
Vining Tomatoes
Vining tomatoes are ideal for an indoor garden, whether you plant them in a pot or raise them hydroponically. They require very little space since you can train the vines to climb up a trellis. You can enjoy the rich taste of fresh tomatoes, while they deliver a strong dose of antioxidants.
What’s more, you can explore growing hydroponic plants for tomatoes if the traditional farming method is not to your liking.
Leafy Greens
Lettuce is popular with hydroponic gardeners. It requires very little space. It doesn’t need much attention. You can harvest leaves as its growth, and fresh lettuce tastes best. On the other hand, lettuce goes bad fast, so having your own fresh source is great if you use a lot of it. Lettuce is rich in vitamins A, C, and K. Furthermore, it contains iron, potassium, and magnesium. Best of all, the first crop is available in just a few weeks.
If lettuce isn’t good enough for you, try spinach. It grows equally fast. However, it has far more nutrients than lettuce. It delivers a heavy dose of vitamins A, C, E, and K. It provides minerals like copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium. It is probably the healthiest green vegetable you can get. A side benefit of eating more spinach is that it will help lower your cholesterol.
Spring Onions
Spring onions are actually young onions that are harvested before the bulb gets big. You can sprout dozens of onions in a single pot and harvest them every three to four weeks. The young onions contain the same antioxidants as fully grown onions. They have the side benefit of helping your body fight viral infections like influenza. A side benefit of raising onions is that they’ll last for several months after you harvest them.
Strawberries
Strawberries are another great choice you can go with. Not only are they full of vitamins and other antioxidants, but they’re one of the easiest fruits to grow through hydroponics. You’ll get to enjoy fresh fruit year-round, and don’t have to worry about maintaining the proper pH the way you do with blueberries. If you’re a hydroponic grower or were interested in going hydroponic, we suggest you check out online suppliers like progrow.co.uk as they usually have much greater deals and options than your average shop.
Basil
Herbs are often grown in window gardens because they cost so much per ounce. However, they pack a heavy burst of flavour in a small package, too. Basil is one of the most popular herbs raised by new gardeners because it requires very little care. It also has the side benefit of reducing inflammation and providing a healthy dose of antioxidants. Better yet, you won’t have to worry about keeping your herbs fresh. Just harvest before you cook with it.
The best crops to grow from home are either cheaper, more nutritious, or taste better when you raise them yourself. Choose crops that you’ll eat on a regular basis to maximise the return on your investment.