Today the suburban area landscapes are becoming the lifelines of plants and animals that have lost their native habitat to development. Wildlife is forced to depend on human-dominated scenes for their continued survival.
A home garden takes on many forms, from a few plants in containers to large garden plots in the backyard. Beyond the reward of homegrown produce, gardens provide health, environmental, and enjoyment advantages for the gardener.
The benefits of a home garden make the physical exertion and costs of gardening worth the effort.
Easy Access
A home garden gives you instant access to fresh produce so that you’re not forced to visit the grocery store or farmers market to find it. You save time and money on the gasoline rather than driving somewhere else to buy your produce. Growing vegetables at home do cost money on seeds and supplies, but a single plant can produce many so that you save money by building your own. Also, a backyard garden gives you an option to create new flavoring options for your recipes.
Control
Growing your food gives you complete control over the chemicals and products used during the growing process. Organic produce typically costs more at the grocery store, but you can grow your organic fruits and vegetables at home by skipping the chemical fertilizers and pesticides. A home garden allows you to pick the produce when it is ripe, unlike food at the store that is often harvested before it is fully mature. The flavor and quality of a freshly picked vegetable from your home garden are superior over to the store-bought products with unknown chemicals that were likely picked several days or weeks before being sold.
Environmental Impact
A garden provides the opportunity to make a positive impact. A compost pile allows you to recycle specific kitchen and yard waste products into a nutrient-rich additive for the garden. In this way, you reduce the waste you produce and provide natural fertilizer for your plants. If you choose to avoid or limit chemical use, you reduce pollution and groundwater contamination from your gardening activities. Garden plants often help reduce erosion by holding the soil in place.
For many homeowners, planting a garden provides enjoyment. Watching your garden go from bare ground to ripe produce or beautiful plants offers a sense of satisfaction. Some find the activity relaxing and stress-relieving, for overall mental health benefits.
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