There is little doubt about the benefits of growing your own fruit and vegetables. It means little to no pesticides, savings at the checkout, an excuse to do physical exercise and a great life lesson for children. But many people are deterred from setting up their own patch for aesthetic reasons. And for others, it all seems too hard. But with the right planning and know-how, they can be a gourmet gem.
The Healthy Eating Pyramid prescribes five serves of vegetables or legumes and two serves of fruit every day, and there is no doubting the physical benefits of eating healthily. Planting your own produce means you know exactly how it has been grown; you control the soil quality, the use of pesticides and the maturity at which it is picked. In a society that is increasingly exposed to chemicals and shortcuts, it is refreshing and reassuring to know that your produce was grown the old-fashioned way.
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