Grow your own food

Grow your own food because working outside is such good exercise, you get plenty of natural vitamin D and you can be assured there are no toxic ecocides.

The Grow Network reports that Australians, the Chinese and the Americans are the top three gardening countries in the world; and that 35% of U.S. households grow vegetables, fruit and other foods.

They also declare that a 10m2 patch can feed a person for a whole year; and that the average gardener spends five or six hours a week busy with a spade, planting and reaping their food.

According to Stats SA less than 20% of South Africans grow any of their own fruit or vegetables. And that over a quarter of our children are permanently stunted by the age of five; starved of good food.

• Little garden patches
  

Five reasons

So here are my five reasons to start gardening this spring.

1. Food that you grow is fresher, tastier and free from noxious chemicals. I’m sure you have seen in the press the billions being paid out to those suffering from blood dycrasias caused by a common herbicide.
2. Researchers state that a “vitamin D deficiency is the most common medical condition worldwide.” And astonishingly that in the main for those younger than 75, they should not be taking supplements; especially if also prescribed a calcium compound. It’s a complex subject, with many different opinions so be guided by your doctor. Gardening with a hat on supplies ample of this incredibly important nutrient for free.
   
3. It’s an excellent form of exercise. That means stronger bones and lowered blood glucose. Recent research in JAMA reveals that every extra 2 hours of watching TV will reduce the likelihood of healthy ageing by 12%; but just sixty minutes of moderate to vigorous exertion such as gardening will give a 14 percent increase.
   
4. The literature is strong. When you feel out of tune with the world there is solace to be discovered in the garden; it is a return to nature. It's our version of forest bathing; such a joy.
   
5. You’ll save a lot of money. The Grow Network claims that for every rand you spend on gardening you will get a direct return of R7.60 of food.

So where do you start? There is no right or wrong place; talk to ten gardeners and you’ll get 10 different answers. But I would start with those foods that are easy to grow.

Fruit

I would start with the humble cape gooseberry if you live in South Africa. It grows like a weed and will provide you with fresh fruit every single day for most of the year. Ask around and you’ll get a few seedlings for free from your gardening friends.

Add to that a lemon and if you have the space, an avocado. I did a rough calculation recently. The lemon and avocado that we planted 40 years ago have each given us more than R50,000 worth of fruit at today’s prices. I recommend grafted trees.

Vegetables

Again there’s no right and wrong answer. But I would start with Swiss Chard, radishes and mealies. They are all very easy to grow.

Currently we are planting spuds. I have not recommended them in the past but recent reports of herbicide residues and the effect of those from cold-storage on diabetes have got me thinking. Baby new potatoes are unlikely to have that effect; they have what is known as “resistant starch.” Instead of giving a glucose surge they will go to feed the friendly bugs in the colon.

Nevertheless the obese could only eat small portions of even the healthy, nutritious starches; keep the glycaemic load down.

Legumes are a very important part of our garden. Once the danger of frost is over we’ll be planting green beans every few weeks; Witsa and Lima climbers are our favourites. They will need a trellis made from treated wattle intingus or bamboo canes.

• Vegetable garden trellis
  

Water

Irrigation is the biggest conundrum; you cannot grow vegetables without it. Harvesting and storing the rain gets first prize but it requires a considerable investment in tanks or a reservoir; one that will give an excellent return at the current price of municipal water. Ours are long paid off.
A friend recently told me their monthly water bill is R5000!

• Suburban rainwater tanks
  

I’m not ashamed to say it. Our supplies are running low at the end of a very dry winter; every day we carry a dozen buckets of rinse water from the washing machine to the broad beans, peas and dark-green leafy vegetables. We should have made the reservoir 5m in diameter. The avocados are getting some attention too; oh the blessing of fresh fruit every day from your garden. But then you need several trees.

There is strong research confirming that axial loading of your spine and femurs will strengthen them; but those who have lower back troubles should always carry two buckets containing half or less of water.

For the average family two metres in radius and 2m deep is adequate.

If you are a gardener and have a swimming pool to fill in the dry season then make the diameter say 5m.

• This is our water innovation
  

Compost heap

I have to give a plug for the compost heap; they are central to every organic garden. Or spend a lot of money on inorganic fertiliser which cannot supply all the missing elements. Start with a base of very rough material, then dry autumn leaves and the prunings of your hydrangeas, ginger and many other plants; it’s a vast subject all its own.

• Turn compost heaps into raised garden beds
  

Grow your own food; aim for at least 50%.

Grow your own food

Grow your own food because fresh fruit and veggies taste so good.

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