Maybe you’re scared of a food shortage. Maybe you’re sick of paying high prices for organic items. Whatever it is, there has never been a better time to grow your own food or to drastically lower your grocery bill. Growing your own food will produce fresher products and help you reduce your carbon footprint by managing your own waste. And shockingly, it’s a lot easier than you think. 

What type of farmer are you?

Indoor farmers

All you really need to grow herbs and small vegetables in your house are pots, seeds, good quality soil and a bit of space on a window sill.

Backyard owners

If you’ve been blessed with a backyard, please take advantage of it for all of us that have FOMO. For you lucky ones, you’ll need a watering can, wooden stakes, garden wire (for when the veg goes up a vine), seeds, and good quality soil. 

Things to know before you start

Soil: Before you plant anything, get the best soil you can find. If you plan to make gardening a year round thing, you’ll need to add compost every spring to keep the soil fresh. 

Patience is a good virtue: Gardening takes time. You probably won’t master it the first time around but stick with it. If you have a backyard, you might spend between 5-10 hours a week planting, thinning, weeding and pruning. Whereas, indoor farmers could get away with a couple hours a week. 

Wash: Remember to always wash off any soil or pesticides before you eat anything.

Common things you can grow? 

Herbs: basil, chives, parsley, oregano, mint and sage all grow happily with seeds and a plant pot. 

Greens: Lettuce, kale, cress, cabbage, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers

Fruit: tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries

And there you go, you’re now a home gardener. Add in these pantry staples and you’ll be cooking up a feast year round.