We love it when a problem has a solution, don’t you? And it’s even better when the solution is garden oriented. During the pandemic, a big shining light has been cast on our food sources and supply, creating significant anxiety and uncertainty. Here to help is the garden! Let’s take a look at some of the most common food-related issues people are having and see how you can solve them by growing plants.
FOOD PROBLEMS & GARDEN SOLUTIONS
Problem: Food Supply Is Spotty
Solution: Start a Garden
This is the place where most of us begin, and then we fine-tune what we grow based upon our needs and wants. So many people learned to garden at the beginning of the pandemic as a way of ensuring a steadier supply of healthy food—and as a way to get back to our more agricultural roots. We’re convinced that in times of great stress, people naturally tend to want to simplify and get grounded. And gardening provides an opportunity for both, as well as to create a more stable food supply.
Problem: Food Prices Are Going Up
Solution: Plant High ROI Crops
Can we get an amen here? This one is likely due to the fact that when the supply chain gets interrupted, some products are more difficult to source. Less product + increased demand = higher prices. So, aim to grow the foods that give the biggest bang for your buck: Herbs, cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, garlic, cucumbers, green beans, and squash (zucchini in particular). These are inexpensive, easy to grow, and produce prolific harvests.
Problem: Lettuce Contamination
Solution: Grow Your Own
This has less to do with supply chain and cost and more to do with health. We’ve all heard the horror stories of contaminated lettuce leading to foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. And it’s not just lettuce; it’s a wide variety of leafy greens that can be affected as well. Greens get contaminated at any point along the way during commercial production, from the fields to the packaging plants. One answer to this problem is to grow your own greens so you have control over the process from start to finish, in your own yard.
Problem: Produce Not Readily Available During Winter Months
Solution: Grow Foods That You Can and Preserve
Most of the larger grocery stores have nearly whatever you want year-round. The way they can do this is by purchasing produce from growers who grow in hothouses or greenhouses, and while that’s all fine, it can alter the taste and quality. If you really want to enjoy the produce that you love the most during the winter months (or any time of the year), grow food that you can preserve, like:
- Tomatoes
- Beets
- Cucumbers
- Green beans
- Peppers
- Most fruits, especially berries and apples
- Peas
- Asparagus
Problem: Concern About Health
Solution: Grow Herbs to Support Good Health
Herbs, remember, are one of the most impressive crops in terms of ROI as they are amazingly easy to grow. They also boast some pretty impressive stats in terms of their ability to soothe minor discomforts like upset stomach, stress, and muscle aches. You can make your own herbal teas, create some wonderfully fragrant aromatherapy products, and enjoy them in a wide variety of dishes. Our favorite herbs?
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Mint
- Lemon balm
- Thyme
- Cilantro
- Chamomile
Note: Always consult your doctor before using any herbal product, whether it’s a DIY product or purchased from the store. Never substitute herbal products for medications without the advice and supervision of your healthcare professional.