More and more people are returning to the old tradition of growing their own produce, from small herb patches to full self-sufficiency, producing all their own fruits and vegetables. But why is this practice becoming popular again, and why should you consider starting your own food garden?

Having a vegetable patch or fruit garden used to be commonplace, but as the food industry became more commercialized and supermarkets took over, this tradition fell out of favor. Recently, however, an increasing number of people have begun to explore growing their own produce again. Here are five reasons why you might want to start your own kitchen garden:

1. Freshness

Fruit and vegetables taste better and are healthier when eaten soon after picking. Most produce from supermarkets is picked well before it’s fully ripe to extend its shelf life, often sacrificing flavor. By growing your own, you can enjoy the freshest produce, straight from your garden to your plate, at its peak taste.

2. Quality

Commercial crops are usually chosen for their high yields, uniform appearance, and long shelf life, rather than for taste or quality. When you grow your own, you can prioritize flavor and nutritional quality over quantity and appearance.

3. Cost Efficiency

Despite supermarket claims of affordability, fresh produce is often overpriced. Growing your own from seed is one of the most cost-effective ways to enjoy high-quality food. Even starting with small plants is likely to save you money in the long run. With many plants, you can harvest seeds from one growing season to plant for the next, creating a self-sustaining cycle that only requires time and effort to maintain.

4. Knowing Your Food’s Source

Many people today are concerned about how their food is produced, particularly when it comes to chemical pesticides and genetically modified (GM) crops. Growing your own food gives you complete control over how it’s grown, providing peace of mind about the source and quality of what you eat.

5. Variety

While there are thousands of different varieties of fruits and vegetables, supermarkets typically only stock the most profitable and easy-to-sell types. This limits your options to a few varieties, such as apples, when hundreds of traditional kinds exist. Growing your own allows you to experiment with a wider range of varieties, finding the ones you love and discovering unique flavors you might never find in stores.

The Time and Effort Factor

Of course, gardening does require time and effort. In today’s busy world, many people might feel they don’t have the time to spare. However, you can start small—perhaps with a few herb plants on your windowsill or a single tomato plant. Even a modest start can give you a taste of home-grown produce and may inspire you to expand your garden and enjoy the benefits for years to come.