There are many fantastic reasons to start growing or raising food at home. Homegrown food can help you lower your grocery bill, and you will also contribute to sustainability. Plus, you will always have the right ingredients on hand for your favorite family recipes. Whether you maintain a windowsill herb garden or go all out with fruits, vegetables, chickens, and more, growing your own food is a rich and rewarding experience. Are you eager to pick your first vegetables, but you’re not sure how to begin? Get started with these top tips for growing your own food.
Do Your Research
As with any project, the key to success is a little planning. Which plants thrive in your climate? What do you know about different soil types? How do you prevent diseases in a backyard chicken flock? Ask yourself these questions and more. Research will help you find the supplies and equipment you need to hit the ground running and make those first homegrown projects a success. It’s also a good idea to look at rules and regulations in your city or neighborhood so that you know what you can and can’t do with your yard space. If possible, talk to other gardeners or farmers in your area to learn more about their experiences as well. The more research you do, the more tips for growing your own food you will learn, and the better prepared you will be when you plant those first seeds.
Start in Your Comfort Zone
Have you ever started a new hobby, only to forget about it a few weeks later? Don’t let that happen to your garden or livestock. The best way to stay interested in growing your own food is to start small and stay within your comfort zone. Pick out a few herbs to grow on a windowsill or start with a vegetable plant. A project with low effort and high reward will help you stay motivated and turn this new interest into a reliable hobby. From there, you can branch out and tackle harder or more intensive efforts. Build a larger garden space, try your hand at fruits and vegetables that require more expertise, or start keeping chickens or a goat for fresh eggs and milk.