Growing your own food is healthy, cheap, and fun!

Tired of the high cost of vegetables and produce? Afraid of the chemicals and the unknown in your food? Maybe you should consider growing your own! It doesn't take as much space as you may think. You can build an inexpensive raised bed in an area that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight or you can find grow boxes to place on your patio or deck. These boxes feature self contained gardening. They have a water space at the bottom and the soil mix has fertilizer added. All you need to do is add the plants.

Whatever means you choose learn how to do basic gardening. This entails knowing that plants need to eat and drink too. If you start out with a good garden soil filled with compost rather than pine bark you will establish the basis for a good garden. From there you can add a organic fertilizer suited to the type of plants you want to grow. If it is vegetables, look for a balanced fertilizer made especially for them.

Self contained garden boxes like the Earthbox, have the ability to mix the fertilizer within the planting mix. Since the water is held at the bottom and wicked up into the soil as needed you will have a even distribution of water as needed. If you use a planting bed, follow the directions on the label of the fertilizer you select. You may need to repeat the dosage later.

Be diligent for pests and insects. Learn how to spot such pests as the spider mite, mealy bug or aphid. A quick check online or in a garden book will reveal pictures of what these insects look like.

Once you get into the habit and know your basic gardening you will be rewarded with organic food that is healthy, cheap and fun!