(Newswire.net — June 13, 2021) —
The pandemic saw a rise in the number of people growing their food at home and, even though the days of panic buying and hoarding supplies are long gone, the grow your own trend continues. Urban projects are becoming increasingly popular alongside greenhouses and traditional garden/allotment-based cultivation.
Home cultivation is better for the environment
Growing large amounts of your food at home is advantageous for a number of reasons, not least the environmental impact. Transporting food across the world burns through huge amounts of carbon, and a lot of produce is farmed using ecologically unsustainable methods. Growing produce at home is much kinder. It decreases food miles, allows growers to cut down on harmful pesticides, and introduces more organic life to the area, helping to take CO2 out of the air.
By cutting down on supermarket trips, at-home cultivators reduce their reliance on plastic too. Gardening makes it possible to grow food in a way that’s 100% sustainable. This is one of the driving forces behind the development of the trend. Environmental issues are at the forefront of the global consciousness, and more people than ever worry about their impact on the planet. The challenge, of course, is scaling up enough to meet demand all year round.
Growers go about that in several ways. Allotments are popular choices, but growing outside has its limitation. Cultivators are constrained by weather conditions, the growing season, and their local climate. Greenhouses like those from Halls Greenhouses have become a popular alternative. These extend the growing season dramatically and protect crops from harsh weather conditions, allowing cultivators to grow food all year round, no matter the weather outside.
Personal advantages
There are definite personal advantages to growing at home, including mental health benefits. The sedate process of cultivating fruit and vegetables is a fantastic way to take a break from the pace of everyday life, and it’s proven to reduce feelings of anxiety. Gardening boomed during the pandemic because it gave people focus and a sense of accomplishment when their work came to fruition.
Cultivating their own food allows gardeners to control exactly what they consume. Commercially farmed fruit and vegetables are often full of pesticides, many of which aren’t compatible with a healthy, holistic lifestyle. No such chemicals are used in greenhouses, gardens, or allotments, and it’s possible (with a little work) to grow completely organic produce. Of course, cutting down on pesticides has a range of environmental benefits as well, so it’s great for the planet too.
The future is looking green
The grow your own trend is likely to continue long into the future. Growers are searching for ever more creative methods to cultivate their own food. These can be as simple as growing microgreens in a kitchen or using indoor spaces to grow vegetables like carrots and potatoes. Radishes are another popular indoor choice, as are strawberries and spinach. Growing at least a portion of your food at home is becoming mainstream, with benefits for individuals and the planet alike.