Why Garden? When I think of becoming more self- sufficient one of the first things I think of is having a vegetable garden. Having your own garden is an excellent component of a self-sufficient lifestyle.
It’s also a wonderful activity to engage the family. Involve your children in planning your garden, and plant vegetables they like to eat. Include vegetables, like radishes and lettuce that are quick growing as well.
I’ve always had a vegetable garden, some gardens have been very small and others much too large! There may be some start up costs involved in setting up a garden, but with time a garden does pay off financially. Herbs will pay for themselves quickly. Eventually so will the berry bushes, fruit trees and fresh vegetables. If you preserve your harvest you will save even more money. Having a pantry and a freezer will help you to prolong the pleasure of the harvest.
When I think of the reasons and ask myself “why garden?” I can think of so many benefits. Having a garden will give you exercise. You will have a great satisfaction of knowing where your vegetables come from. Looking at your pantry at the end of the growing season and knowing that you grew what is stored will give you such a good feeling. You know exactly what is in each canning jar and what the ingredients are.
In the end you will probably find that the benefits of a garden can’t be measured in dollars and cents. For me I enjoy the time I spend in my garden. I love having a productive hobby I can share with others. I also love filling my pantry shelves with the gardens bounty, salsas, and sauces and jams all made with the bounty I grew. We’ve even designed our own salsa labels for gift giving.
If you are asking yourself why garden, bring your questions to me. If you have already decided to plant a garden this year here is an excellent post on preparing the garden for spring. However big your garden is have fun and enjoy the experience of gardening!
Nancy on the Home Front 
Good morning, I totally agree that having a garden is a great investment.
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Val,
thanks for stopping by. Great investment and such a wonderful way to relax and get na little exercise too! 🙂
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I am late getting my garden in because the weather has taken so long to warm up. Last week I got all my direct seeds in the ground. This week I’ll purchase my seedlings for the containers on the deck. Even with four small raised beds and various containers I can grow enough to can excess for winter. I can still enjoy potatoes and carrots while new ones are growing. – Margy
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Margy,
You amaze me with what you can grow! Someday I’mgoing to come visit you to see it all in person!
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I agree wholeheartedly, Nancy! Today my whole body aches from all the gardening I did yesterday, but it is a great feeling to know that I’m getting back into shape and we will have potatoes, peas, onions, and more to harvest this year.
Your sauce looks delish. 🙂 Happy gardening!
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Lisa Lynn,
I am so happy in the spring when I can get back outside and into the garden! 🙂
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I’ve just come across your blog from Blogging Grandmothers and so pleased I did as I loved this post. I love gym garden and veggie garden. Planting winter veggies just now in Australia. I love your labels!
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Thank you Jennifer, things are just warming up here in Vermont and I look forward to getting in the garden!
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Absolutely agree! Although we tend to go overboard on our garden and get burnt out quickly. ha ha It’s mostly the weeds.
We are trying some new things to keep the weeds at bay this year!
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Alicia,
I know exactly what you mean! I mulch with grass clippings which seems to help but I also seem to spend my entire summer weeding!!
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There are SO MANY good reasons to have a garden!
We’re still too cold and wet to plant, but I’m itching to get out there and start the season!
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I agree, gardening is good exercise and produces good food to preserve, eat, and sell. Every couple years I let my garden areas rest, fertilize them and cover with my used chicken coop bedding and my donkeys old hay and manure. The following Spring I till it and my garden grows much better.
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Penny,
It’s a wonderful idea to let your garden rest every few years!
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All good reasons to garden, the best being the good, fresh food and second being the exercise we all need. Shared your post x 4 ♥
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What a great challenge Nancy and you certainly have a green thumb! Alas, I don’t so I might not survive the challenge. Stopping by from #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. Have a great week.
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Thanks for stoping by Sue!
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I love to garden and my grandkids love gardening with me! Great post! Thank you for sharing at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty
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Lori,
Gardening with grandchildren has got to be the best!
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