This is a big decision for gardners and families every year.

If you plant your own garden...

• You can choose the foods you want to grow
• You can grow organically without pesticides
• It can be more affordable to grow your own food
• It is a good way for your family to work together
• It is fun to learn about foods
• You can experiment with new foods
• Gardening can teach good work ethic
• It is great exercise
• Nature is a wonderful thing

If you choose to visit the local farmers' market...

• You support the local farmers' and local economy
• It takes much less time and energy
• You can buy a wide range of organic products
• Your family can share the experience of the farmers' market
• You are supporting small, local businesses
• The variety and choices of foods and produce will be greater

The truth is, a combination of both can be rewarding. Working your own land has a deep satisfaction and many healthy benefits. Supporting local farmers' and small local businesses is essential for the future of our small farms.

For Dan and I, we grow a lot of our own food. In the center of all the produce is my herb garden, my favorite part of the garden.

We really enjoy our time together canning, dehydrating, freezing and storing food for the coming winter months.                                 

We also look forward to our Sunday morning trip to the local farmers' market to visit friends, listen to local musicians, shop for fruit and veggies, plants and flowers, herbs, hot coffee and a cinammon bun.

Then it is back home to our own raised bed garden and new for us this year, our backyard chickens...so we now have our own eggs. We have fun and enjoy the hard work that comes along with it (most of the time)

Spring is just around the corner and I can't wait!