What's in your food? (with acknowledgement to Capitol One) This is a question with many interpretations, but for the purpose of this article, let's discuss vegetables. Do you know where your veggies come from? Can you track down their source and get reliable answers when you ask what kind of fertilizers or pesticides were used to grow the food you're about to put in your mouth or on your family's plates?
If you grow at least some of your own food, you know what goes into those fruits and vegetables. According to Dr. Helen Delichatsios, an internist at Masschusetts General Hospital, "Backyard gardening can inspire you to take an interest in the origins of your food and make better choices about what you put on your plate. When you grow your own food, you savor it more because of the effort it took to get to the table."
Among other health benefits from growing your own food (cred to harvard Health Blog, "Backyard gardening: grow your own food, improve your health", June 29, 2012, posted by Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter):
- It helps you eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
- You decide what kinds of fertilizers and pesticides come in contact with your food.
- It lets you control when to harvest your food. Vegetables that ripen in the garden have more nutrients than some store-bought vegetables that must be picked early.
Ms. Godman additionally writes "Growing your own food isn't rocket science." Well put! In response to the growing demand for high quality vegetable plants, Russell's Garden Center offers a multitude of varieties of vegetables and herbs. Russell's carries conventional vegetables as well as a selection of Baystate certified organic vegetables which are grown on-site according to strict guidelines. Russell's knowledgeable staff are happy to answer your questions on plant origins, and how to get the highest nutritional crop yield when you purchase your plants and transfer them to your own garden, containers or raised beds.
So, what's on your plate? Come to Russell's and we'll help you get growing your own food!
