Planting for Smarties: Up Your Kitchen Game with Fresh Plants

Planting fruits and vegetables at home is a great activity to do by yourself, or with others. It sparks an interest in knowing the origins of your food, which can lead to healthier eating choices. What’s so great about planting foods is that you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor in your home-cooked meals. (Pun intended)

What Are the Benefits of Planting Fruits and Vegetables at Home?

• Improves your health by consuming fruits and vegetables with less pesticides 

• Saves money on groceries 

• Promotes physical activity 

• Reduces stress, anxiety and depression

• Increases relaxation, productivity and self-esteem

Things to Keep in Mind When Planting

• The type of pot or container you use whether that is clay, plastic, ceramic, stone, metal or wooden

• The proper amount of water for your plants

• The pH of your soil and the type of soil

• Access to light 

Check out these plants and get digging!

Salad Greens:

Salad greens, like lettuce, are a plant grown in the fall and spring. It is best to grow them in plastic pots, because clay pots absorb more water. The soil has to stay moist, and the lettuce plant needs 10-12 hours of sunlight daily.

Lemons:

Lemon trees require a lot of light so it is best to grow them in spring, but with the proper precautions lemon trees can be planted anytime. A lemon tree needs a container that provides adequate drainage and room for growth. 

Basil:

Basil thrives well in well-drained soil in a container and positioned by a sunny window. It is best to grow them in the spring, and summer because basil is sensitive to the cold. Basil and tomatoes are a nice pair to plant alongside each other because basil enhances the flavor of tomatoes.