Home & Garden: How to Grow Your Own Food

12 Superfoods to Stock in Your Pantry—and Recipes You Need to Know

Starring quinoa, almond butter, and more.Your pantry is where you store your baking staples and other household favorites like pasta, canned soup, and cereal. And we're here to tell you it can also be a haven for a plethora of delicious superfoods.

how to grow your own food Photo: istockphoto.com

Toxic chemicals found in food packaging at Sweetgreen and McDonald's, and experts say 'these substances migrate into the food you eat'

An investigation by Consumer Reports found some level of indicators of PFAS in packaging from 24 different restaurant chains.PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are notoriously long-lasting. The chemicals don't naturally break down in the environment, and they can build up in the body over time. Long-term exposure to PFAS has been linked to an increased risk of some cancers, immune system suppression, and problems with fetal development.

Think you need a green thumb and a backyard to grow your own food? Think again. It’s possible, no matter your grasp of gardening or space limitations—all you really need is some basic plant knowledge, a little planning, and a few key tools and materials. Bob Vila’s library of expert gardening articles and advice has all of the information you need to cultivate a productive plot. Here you’ll find a collection of thorough guides that will walk you through crucial steps in the gardening process such as testing and amending soil; plus pro canning tips from our sister site Saveur for preserving homegrown produce.

15 Trader Joe's Products That Are Packed With Superfoods

Stock up on superfoods without breaking the bank.There are plenty of must-have items at Trader Joe's, including Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups and customer-favorite Mandarin Orange Chicken, but what you might not know is that the popular grocery chain also sells a myriad of products that are chock-full of superfoods. While the term "superfoods" is not nutritionally recognized, it typically refers to particularly nutrient-rich foods that provide an array of important health benefits. These foods, which are often low in calories, may do things like strengthen your immune system, promote good gut and brain health, and help prevent certain diseases.

A DIY food supply will certainly take more time and effort than running to the grocery store, but that’s part of what makes learning this skill so great. You’ll work with your hands, connect with nature, and truly understand where your food comes from.

Whether you intend to simply boost your household’s healthy snack options or stock your pantry with jars of goodies to eat throughout the year, read on to learn how to grow your own food.

Botanical Basics

Most plants have a set of fundamental needs that must be met in order to thrive: a growing medium, nutrients, water, and sunlight. Provide the specific plants you choose to grow with their essentials, and you’ll be successful. This basic understanding will also set you up for advancement as a gardener, so you can tackle bigger and more challenging projects down the road.

The 5 Best Food Processors for Chopping, Grating, Slicing, Kneading Dough, Puréeing, and More

This kitchen workhorse really can do it all. Our guide will help you find the right food processor for your needs.Whether you simply need to chop vegetables quickly, make a dip for a casual backyard lunch, or whip up a pie crust, a food processor is a necessity. The kitchen workhorse does it all and then some. Yet, to make sure your food processor isn't forgotten in the back of a kitchen cabinet, it's essential to buy the right one for your needs.

© Provided by Bob Vila how to grow your own food Photo: istockphoto.com

The Way You Handle Your Pet’s Food Could Make You Sick

New research shows next to no one is handling pet food safely—and it poses an infection risk.That’s the main takeaway from a new study published in the journal Plos One. For the study, researchers surveyed 417 dog owners on their pet food handling practices, and took 68 swabs from pet food dishes. The researchers discovered that just 4.7% of dog owners were aware that the Food and Drug Administration has special guidelines for handling pet food. Those who actually followed the best practices—which include washing your pet’s food bowl with soap and hot water after every use—were much less likely to come into contact with germs like E.

Plan Your Plot

Though a large backyard that receives 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day is ideal for starting an edible garden, it’s not a requirement. A raised bed or a balcony with containers will suffice, as will a slice of any room indoors. The key to success, as mentioned above, is simply providing what the plants need—naturally and/or artificially—in the right amounts at the right time.

Before you order seeds (which you should do now, for best selection), look up your USDA hardiness zone, which will help you gauge your first and last frost dates, and the veggies that will grow best in your area. Finally, take stock of your gardening space: How many plants can you reasonably grow? Once you know how long your growing season is and how much room you have to work with, consider the following expert recommendations to guide your plant selection.

The Way You Handle Your Pet’s Food Could Make You Sick

New research shows next to no one is handling pet food safely—and it poses an infection risk.That’s the main takeaway from a new study published in the journal Plos One. For the study, researchers surveyed 417 dog owners on their pet food handling practices, and took 68 swabs from pet food dishes. The researchers discovered that just 4.7% of dog owners were aware that the Food and Drug Administration has special guidelines for handling pet food. Those who actually followed the best practices—which include washing your pet’s food bowl with soap and hot water after every use—were much less likely to come into contact with germs like E.

Fast-Growing Vegetables

Best Herbs to Grow Indoors

Edible Berry Bushes

Late-Season Vegetables

For future reference, it’s also helpful to document your food-growing process from beginning to end. As with learning any new skill, there will be room for improvement, and you’ll be happy to have detailed notes of what you planted, which amendments you added to the soil, whether you opted for quick- or slow-release fertilizer, etc. This information and your observations will help guide your decisions next year, so be sure to keep a paper or digital journal on hand as you put your plans into motion.

Preseason Prep

After deciding what to grow and where, the next step is to lay the groundwork for meeting the needs of the plants you’ll soon plant—much of which can and should be done well before the prime growing season. For a traditional outdoor vegetable patch, that starts with a soil test. From there, the following tips and tutorials will help you cultivate the perfect growing medium.

© Provided by Bob Vila how to grow your own food adding soil amendments Photo: istockphoto.com

The One Secret You Need to Lose Weight (That Isn’t Diet or Exercise!)

Stop counting calories! There’s now an easier way to trim your waistline. The post The One Secret You Need to Lose Weight (That Isn’t Diet or Exercise!) appeared first on The Healthy.

All You Need to Know About Soil Types

Your Guide to Soil Amendments

Composting for Beginners

Best Potting Mix for Vegetables

At this stage, a few tools will come in handy. Start with these essentials, and then add to your collection as your gardening skills progress: work gloves, garden fork, garden trowel, watering can, pruning shears.

Plant and Tend

It’s easy enough to purchase established young plants (aka seedlings) from a local retailer, but you’ll learn a lot more about gardening by starting plants from seed yourself. Just be sure to plan ahead, as some varieties require more time to germinate and mature than others. In that case, learning how to start seeds indoors and how to harden off plants when it’s time to move them outside are easy projects for new gardeners. Seed-starting mix, grow lights, and seedling heat mats will help get your seedlings off to a good start. For fast-growing vegetables and fruits, it’s better to sow seeds directly in the garden. Once planted, regular watering and weeding become increasingly important, and the following guides will set you up for success.

Starting Seeds Indoors

How to Harden Off Plants

Dos and Don’ts of Watering

Weeding the Garden

© Provided by Bob Vila how to grow your own food watering and feeding plants Photo: istockphoto.com

23 Best Water Bottles to Keep You Hydrated While Helping the Planet

Did someone say BPA-free?

Feed Your Food

As plants grow and take up nutrients from the soil, it’s important to replenish what they need to feed themselves throughout the growing season. But figuring out which fertilizers to use in the right amounts and when can be intimidating for beginners. Getting to know fertilizer numbers is the first step. For edible gardens, organic plant food is preferred—and nontoxic pest control is a must.

How to Read Fertilizer Numbers

The Best Organic Fertilizers

All You Need to Know About Insecticidal Soap

Harvest and Preserve

There’s no denying that harvest time is the best part of growing your own food. You get to reap the rewards of your hard work! And plants will thank you for timely pruning and harvesting by continuing to produce throughout the season. If you can’t consume it all fresh, canning is a great way to preserve your surplus fruits and vegetables. Classic water-bath canning is simple, requires minimal supplies, and will ensure your preserved foods are safely sterilized. The most important factor, according to Saveur, is that the center of your filled jars reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit. As your green thumb grows and your garden gets bigger, be sure to also consider donating your surplus produce to local food banks.

Harvesting Herbs for Maximum Yield

Your Guide to Water Bath Canning

Succession Planting Tips

© Provided by Bob Vila harvesting food in home garden Photo: istockphoto.com