Nutrition and healthy eating

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• July 8, 2012 9:40 a.m.

  We plant a garden because it's relaxing and fun to watch things grow. Of course, the fresh veggies are the reward. I started canning any excess and give some to co-workers. I also plant the herbs that I use the most. There's nothing like snipping fresh ones to use for dinner! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays so I always grow a few pumpkin plants too--both carving and pie pumpkins.

  - Karen

• September 19, 2011 2:09 p.m.

  WELL THAT'S ALOT OF GOOD INFO 4 GARDNERS!!!!1

  - kalinda

• July 3, 2011 4:01 p.m.

  i just grow my garden for the joy of it. we eat and give away our produce. dry herbs for ourselves and others. also can our veggies. gardening benefits everyone. i have been very impressed that out dried herbs are far better that what can be bought off the shelf. even our oldest far surpasses store bought. you should do an article on herbs i think

  - edna

• May 31, 2011 8:49 p.m.

  My kids and I started an organic garden and love it. Through experience, we've learned the hard way how to make it simple and manageable (and blog about it at bloominthyme.com). This month we're posing a raw diet challenge -- do you think it makes sense or is it all hype? How about alkaline vs. acid-forming foods?

  - Dianne

• April 10, 2011 3:36 p.m.

  I'd LOVE to grow my own organic produce but I have no idea where to start. I have an area that measures about 25 square feet. My last attempt at gardening years ago was a mess because a lot was eaten by animals (rabbits, squirrels, and even a racoon!) Help! Any thoughts on where I can get guidance?

  - Lisa

• March 28, 2011 2:42 p.m.

  I am very excited that so many people are growing their own vegetables. What could be more sustainable and healthy? For all those organic gardeners, be aware of local pesticide sprayings this summer. My neighbor hires a tree company to apply pesticides three times each summer. The spray drifts and lands on my vegetables. The pesticides on the landscape were not applied at safe levels and they were not pesticides designed for even conventional agriculture. Fortunately, I believe this will stop. I filed a complaint with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the company was found in violation and fined. I encourage all organic gardeners to file complaints when they believe drift has occured. We have a right to grow organic vegetables on our property.

  - Karen

• March 28, 2011 8:55 a.m.

  Here are the two studies cited (they're also listed at the bottom of the page under "references"). 1. Garden Writers Association Foundation. 2010 Summer Gardening Trends Research Report. http://www.gardenwriters.org/gwa.php?p=gwafoundation/surveys_gardentrends.html. Accessed March 21, 2011. 2. National Gardening Association. The Impact of Home and Community Gardening in America. http://www.gardenresearch.com/files/2009-Impact-of-Gardening-in-America-White-Paper.pdf. Accessed March 21, 2011.

  - MayoClinic.com Staff

• March 26, 2011 2:22 p.m.

  Please provide citation info for your survey. I'm familiar with NGA survey, but no idea what your first survey is.

  - Liz

• March 25, 2011 9:09 p.m.

  I am 65 and learned to garden from my parents. it is in my blood. i mainly raise vegetables, but here just south of the Canadian border, have had great raspberries and am always trying with apples and now grapes. Since i don't know why i had cancer 23 years ago, i am trying to keep my food uncontaminated by GMO's, pesticides and artificial fertilizers. Plus fresh and orgainic is the most nutritious for everyone. It is good exercise and cheaper than buying at the supermarket. What we don't eat or share we freeze. Corn, tomatoes, green beans and oriental vegetables are high on the list of musts. Herbs and brassicas, Swiss chard, Kale and lots of salad greens are in our garden. We also have drilled taps in our red maple trees (we have some acres) and boiled down maple sap for decades so we have a natural sweetener that can't be beat. we have shared our garden space with friends a couple of times. it is amazing what can be grown in a small area!

  - Jeanine

• March 25, 2011 1:05 p.m.

  This is great information. Thanks for posting. Could you please include citation for the original survey? Where can I see that? Please and thanks.

  - Jessica

• March 25, 2011 12:32 p.m.

  Got the seeds started last week. Black Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Melon, Moon and Stars Watermelon, White and Yellow Alpine Strawberries. Sorrel, Berry Spinach and Lambsquarters will be put in the ground soon.

  - Rayme

• March 25, 2011 12:21 p.m.

  I grow everything organically and start all of my plants from open pollinated/heirloom seed varieties. So far this year I have 6 kinds of broccoli, 12 kinds of cabbage, 42 kinds of tomato, 4 kinds of eggplant, 17 kinds of hot peppers, 33 kinds of sweet peppers, and 13 kinds of herbs. That's just in trays or cups. I have already planted out a mix of leaf lettuce and 4 kinds of peas; 3 snow peas and 1 English pea. Later will come everything else for a complete garden. I also have established grapes, blackberries, and raspberries, asparagus, and several fruit and nut trees. There's always something that can grow in the space allowed, be it sunny or partially shady, ground or planter, outside or under grow lights in the living room. Everyone should make use of what they can. Home grown is much cheaper, healthier, fresher, and tastier. How could you ever go wrong with that?

  - Turtle

• March 25, 2011 11:26 a.m.

  I would add that joining and/or starting a community garden brings together novice and experienced gardeners to share knowledge and support. Different growing climates and soils across geographies present both opportunities and challenges unique to your area. A community garden offers the opportunity for gardeners to both learn from and teach others within a shared space.

  - Rachel

• March 25, 2011 9:19 a.m.

  Mayo Clinic, Thank you for agreeing with me. Local, organic food is the way to go. I'm sure the survey answered with only backyard gardener. According to Answer.com 61% of American garden, but they are starting to grow more vegetables and fruits. If you don't have the area to grow, join a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture. Localharvest.com is a great place to start to get great vegetables and fruits. Permaculture is another growing method which is great, check it out.

  - Karen

• March 25, 2011 8:36 a.m.

  I would be interested to know what 53% of "backyard gardeners" means with respect to the total population of the U.S.

  - Florianne

• March 24, 2011 8:04 p.m.

  Here is what I have planted so far that is perennial food plants, which I consider very important: strawberries, blueberries, rhubarb, asparagus and raspberries. Also, I planted garlic last fall (garlic is amazing to grow!! I highly recommend it!! You can also plant in the spring here in the northeast, anyway). As the soil warms a little, I'll plant heirloom sugar snap peas, heirloom beets, spinach, swiss chard, kohlrabi and broccoli. Maybe some potatoes if I have room. Later I'll add lettuces and oriental greens, green beans, some peppers of a couple types, eggplant, several types of tomatoes, and cabbage (red and green). Those are my staples. I want to plant more vines like winter and summer squash, but am not set up for it yet and I hate them sprawling about. I want them vining up that wire fence stuff they use to reinforce concrete. It's cheap and strong, but I haven't bought or installed it on wooden frames yet. Gardening is a "never finished" product, it seems. Oh, and my saved seeds of heirloom buckwheat so I can save the seeds again! and replant without spending money again! Yeah!! Parsley and basil and dill too. Maybe peppermint as mine actually got out-competed (it can happen!). Those are more or less the usual without the details. It's taken me awhile to get this far, and still with no cherry tree...no partner for my one pear tree...oh goodness me. I'll keep working on it!!!

  - Kathleen

• March 24, 2011 7:49 p.m.

  Hi. I'm an avid gardener, or try to be. If you're going to grow dill in a pot, also throw some dill seed on some nice soil free of weeds and rake it lightly, letting the dill sort of "plant itself". Then compare the results! Dill is a large and graceful plant--full of character, beauty, charm and fragrance. You'll never regret planting it, and it usually self sows. What a lovely thing that is!

  - Kathleen

• March 24, 2011 3:31 a.m.

  Jennifer, thxs for sharing your plans with us! I will do the same, grow some vegetables (yellow tomatoes are my favorites). I will look for "old fashion" seeds, that are not modified in any way. I would like to add one more reason for home gardens - one can harvest when totally ripe, and best for consuming. Unfortunately today fruits and vegetables are harvested while still green, so that they can stand transportation.

  - Cristina