Guest Blogger #843, Entry #2016, January 16, 2012
When it comes to home-oriented activities, there are few things that a homeowner can do to achieve the same kinds of benefits as the ones that come with gardening. There are a lot of reasons that gardening is a great thing for just about anyone to take up, and the environmental implications are some of the most important. Just about everyone is realizing that the environment needs our protection in a serious way right now, and as a result, we’re all looking to find more efficient and sustainable ways of doing the things that we need to do on a day-to-day basis. No matter who you are, you’re going to have to eat on a regular basis, and if you’re interested, there are a ton of ways that you can make sure this activity is one that you keep completely sustainable and environmentally-friendly.
Image via: Ron Blunt
Benefits of growing your own vegetables
You might not realize it, but shopping for groceries has something of a serious environmental impact. Unless you’re buying all your food and groceries from a local farmers’ market, it’s more than likely that all your food is being shipped to your location from large farms throughout the country. This is doubly true when you purchase items that are out of season. By growing your own foods, you can eliminate your reliance on expensive and environmentally-impactful shipping methods, instead getting the things that you eat just a few feet away from your home.
Designing your garden
Starting your own beautiful vegetable garden is very easily done; all you need to do is make sure that you’ve got enough yard space to contain your veggies. First, you should do a bit of research and figure out what kind of vegetables will be best grown depending on the current season. Different things grow more readily during different times of the year, and some vegetables have spatial limitations that come with them. Figure out what you can accommodate and what’s in season before you get started.
Once you have a rough idea as to what you’ll plant, you can build yourself a garden. If you’re creating a raised bed, all you need is a square- or rectangle-shaped enclosure. You can simply pour topsoil into it, and then you’re ready to plant your garden. If you’re a complete newcomer, it might be smart to speak to a professional at a nursery or home improvement store, so you can get some advice as to which plants will work out the best for you. You’ve got to make sure that you water and tend your garden regularly, so that you can make sure your vegetables are healthy and tasty.
Image via: Paradise Restored
Adding fancy decorations like a fountain or some garden sculptures will be completely up to you. Either way, a nice backyard vegetable garden gives you some serious peace of mind and helps you save a ton of money on groceries in the process. Whatever your reasoning might be, these steps will help you get started with your very own vegetable garden so that you can live more sustainably each and every day.
For more gardening tips on Stagetecture, click here.
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