Edible gardening is not only a surefire way to know what’s actually been used on your fruits and veggies, it has massive wellbeing benefits, too. In fact, the mental health and overall wellbeing benefits of edible gardening, indeed any gardening, can’t be overstated.
“Harvesting and eating produce you have planted from seed and watched growing over time is an amazing feeling,” says Simon Holloway from Vegepod. “We have seen time and again the incomparable joy of gardeners accessing nature and fresh food from edible gardening.
“Every backyard or balcony, irrespective of size or location can achieve a more self-sustainable and environmentally friendly way of life.
“All the academia supports the mental and physical benefits of edible gardening,” says Simon, “but to reap those benefits one must first of all succeed in gardening. We designed Vegepods specifically to cater to every backyard and ensure the highest rates of success possible”.
The wholesome and feel-good sensation derived from edible gardening is nothing new, however the inaccessibility and the inability to grow one’s own food has been inhibiting this avenue towards wellness. Vegepod’s self-watering, self-contained and portable raised garden beds have provided benefits from sustainable eating to therapeutical horticulture.
This type of activity has been proven to:
- lower anxiety
- aid depression
- reduce stress
- calm the mind
- improve concentration
- engage all the senses
- provide a connection to nature regardless of location
- encourage responsibility, care and feelings of reward
- activate key motor skills
- facilitate social interaction within families and the broader community
- help overcome boredom and loneliness
- reinforce a sense of belonging, inclusion and connection to place.
Edible Gardening Is For Everyone
“Edible gardening by its very nature, and in particular with low maintenance containers like a Vegepod, is non-discriminatory in relation to age and physical abilities,” says Simon. “Stands that raise beds to significant heights enable those with limited movement to grow their own food and receive the benefits of therapeutic horticulture.”
Simon’s Top Tips For Successful Growing Fruits And Veggies At Home
- Grow Your Own Organics
The only way you ever really know if something is truly organic is if you grow it yourself. Both learning and being in control in the type of soil, materials and seeds, made easier in a self-contained garden, allows you to truly produce fresh organic edibles. - Keep Pests Out
We all know edible gardening is delicious. However, so do bugs, possums and pests. If you’ve attempted edible gardening before, nine times out of 10 you’ve had your lovely garden eaten by something else before you’ve had the chance to. Having a protective mesh canopy that is still animal friendly, keeps out the pests and weeds, but lets all the goodness of the sun and rain through is essential. - Here Comes The Sun
Lots of direct sunlight is an essential element for edible gardening. To get big, fruits and veggies need a lot energy and that comes from the sun. A minimum of six hours of direct sunlight is recommended for the roots and fruits, some leafy greens can get away with four. Being able to easily switch between your everyday canopy to a protective shade canopy for those scorcher days here in Australia is a welcome benefit of the Vegepod. - Pick Your Plants
This tip is split your choices into two. One, pick edible plants that you know you will actually eat and use. It sounds obvious but it’s such a common issue where gardeners get excited and choose a heap of plants they rarely eat. Two, literally ‘pick’ and prune your produce. Take the produce when it’s there and cut it back if unruly. This often promotes further good growth.
- Manage Your Water
In other standard gardens, it’s difficult to know how much and when exactly to water your garden. Garden beds which utilise self-watering wicking systems below the soil and mist sprays above like the Vegepod can make watering your garden very easy whilst also minimising water usage up to 80 percent.
