Hobby farming: It's easier than you might think

Hobby farming: It's easier than you might think

Think for a moment about the life skills you use every day. Chances are you learned them from a parent or mentor in your life. Children learn from their elders, and that means the most important thing you can do for them is teach them to be self-sufficient. Among other things, that means teaching them to grow their own food. Easier said than done, right? Wrong. Here’s a look at a few of the misconceptions around growing an edible garden so you can separate fact from fiction.

Myth 1: You need a lot of land.
Not true! You don’t need to live on a sprawling homestead to cultivate a basic garden. You can do a lot with a few containers. It’s all about maximizing the space you do have.

Myth #2: You need a lot of time.
It’s all about prioritization. When your family’s health is at the top of the list, it’s a small sacrifice to carve out a few hours a week to maintain a garden. Plus, there are many hacks to streamline the process. Work smarter, not harder!

Myth #3: It costs too much money.
With food prices rising every year, not to mention food shortages and recalls, it’s really a no-brainer to grow your own food. Even when you factor in the cost of supplies, a backyard garden really is affordable. Plus, think of all the money you’ll save on takeout.

Myth #4: The food at the store is better quality.
With produce being transported halfway around the country and even from countries like Mexico, it’s no wonder your produce isn’t fresh by the time it reaches your local grocery. When you grow your own food, you get farm-fresh quality. Plus, you can avoid non-organic pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Have you ever had a tomato from a backyard garden? You can almost taste the labor of love that goes into hobby farming.

Children are the future. Lead example and you just might have a budding green thumb on your hands!