These 12 Vegetables Are Healthier When You Grow Them Yourself

Growing your own veg is n’t just about saving money or enjoying freshman produce — it can also significantly boost the nutritionary value of what you eat . Many vegetables lose nutrients during long exile and storage , while others may be treat with pesticides or harvested before they ’ve amply ripened . When you grow your own , you control how the vegetables are educate , see peak ripeness and nutrient density .

Additionally , homegrown veggie often smack better than store - buy ones . By tolerate your green groceries to ripen course and avoiding coarse chemical substance treatment , you ’ll notice more vivacious flavors and texture . Below , we ’ve foreground 12 veggie that are healthier — and often more yummy — when you arise them yourself .

Tomatoes

Store - purchase tomatoes are often picked before they ’re ripe to withstand shipping , which bear on their feel and nutritional content . Homegrown tomatoes , on the other handwriting , can be left to mature fully on the vine , boosting their levels of vitamin ampere-second , lycopene , and antioxidant . Lycopene , in special , has been link to kernel wellness and reduced cancer jeopardy , ready vine - ripened tomatoes a nutritional power plant .

When growing tomatoes at domicile , you may also pick out constitutional or heirloom variety , which be given to have rich nutrient profiles compared to mass - produced hybrids . Whether you ’re growing cherry tomatoes or beefsteak , the difference in gustatory modality and health benefit will be unmistakable .

Spinach

Spinach is known for its high iron and vitamin depicted object , but it can lose up to 90 % of its vitamin C within 24 60 minutes of harvest . originate your own spinach allow for you to pick it fresh , ensuring maximum alimentary retentivity . Plus , stock - bought prickly-seeded spinach is often treated with chemicals to extend its shelf life , whereas homegrown spinach can be entirely chemical substance - free .

Spinach is easy to grow in small quad , including container , and thrives in cool weather . Harvesting just before eating guarantees that you ’re start out the wise , healthy leaves possible .

Carrots

carrot are often grow commercially in depleted soil , which can bring down their levels of genus Beta - provitamin A , the antioxidant responsible for their vivacious color and health benefits . Homegrown carrots can be cultivated in nutrient - full-bodied grime , boost their vitamin A content , which support eye wellness and the resistant system .

Another benefit of growing your own carrots is the tone . impertinently pulled carrots are sweeter and crunchier than stock - bought ones , making them a delicious and healthy addition to meal or snacks .

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are mob with vitamin A and C , but they ’re often harvested before they ’re full ripe to make them easier to send . This can lour their nutritive content . Homegrown bell Madagascar pepper can be give on the plant longer , allowing them to develop their full nutritional potential drop and a sweeter , more complex feel .

Growing your own also gives you the freedom to prefer less common sort , such as violet or orange peppers , which have alone nutritive profiles . Whether you prefer sweet or naughty peppers , grow them yourself control they ’re smart and chemical - barren .

Kale

Kale is a nutritionary ball of fire , but it can mislay food during foresightful storage meter . Homegrown kale retains its high floor of vitamin A , C , and K , as well as calcium and antioxidant . Plus , when you grow your own kale , you’re able to nibble it at its top for the best taste and texture .

Commercial scratch is also one of the most pesticide - treated veg . Growing your own allows you to head off these chemicals and control your develop environment , resulting in healthier , more nutritious - dense leaves .

Broccoli

Broccoli is rich in vitamin C and sulforaphane , a chemical compound linked to cancer bar . However , its nutritional value declines quickly after harvesting . By growing broccoli at home , you may harvest it right before consume , preserving its wellness benefits .

Homegrown Brassica oleracea italica is also more flavoursome and cranky than store - bought varieties , which are often breed for enduringness rather than taste . With a small guardianship , you may enjoy saucy , alimentary - tamp down broccoli flat from your garden .

Zucchini

Zucchini is a low - small calorie vegetable loaded with vitamin and minerals , but store - bought options can miss flavor and texture due to early harvest . grow your own courgette assure it ’s picked at the correct clip , offering optimum gustatory sensation and food .

Zucchini plants are fertile producers , so even a small garden can provide a continuous supply . Harvesting on a regular basis further the industrial plant to keep producing , giving you a unfluctuating seed of impudent , tidy vegetable .

Green Beans

Green beans are an excellent germ of fibre and vitamin , but they can lose food during shipping and reposition . Freshly picked gullible bonce from your garden retain their full nutritionary profile , making them sound and tastier than store - bought choice .

grow greenish edible bean is also easy and rewarding . Pole beans save space by growing vertically , while bush varieties are compact and perfect for small gardens . Either way , you ’ll savour crisp , nutrient - pack beans all season long .

Cucumbers

cuke are hydrate and packed with antioxidants , but they often lose their crispiness and nutrient during transportation . Homegrown cucumbers , picked at peak ripeness , are far higher-ranking in both tasting and nutriment .

Growing cucumbers at home also allows you to try out heirloom potpourri , which can have unique flavor and texture . Whether you grow them for salads or pickling , sassy cuke are a healthy addition to your dieting .

Onions

onion plant are productive in antioxidant and atomic number 16 compounds that support heart health , but memory - bought options may have been in storage for month , slim their potency . grow your own onion ensures they ’re sweet and packed with food .

Onions are wanton to turn and hive away well , making them a practical choice for home nurseryman . Plus , the spirit of freshly harvested onions is far superior to their store - grease one’s palms vis-a-vis .

Beets

Beets are a grand generator of folate , iron , and antioxidants , but they can lose food when stored for long period . develop your own ensures you get the freshest , most nutritive - dense ascendent potential .

Homegrown beets also allow you to enjoy the leafy vegetable , which are rich in vitamins and often discarded in store - bought option . By harvesting both the ascendant and greens , you maximize the health benefits of this various vegetable .

Lettuce

Lettuce is one of the easy vegetable to grow , and homegrown miscellany are far fresher and more alimental than those in stores . Lettuce loses nutrient quickly after being harvested , so pluck it right before corrode insure maximum vitamin content .

Growing your own lettuce also means you’re able to avoid the chemical treatment used to preserve entrepot - bought varieties . With a kind of texture and smack useable , homegrown lettuce makes salads and sandwich more vibrant and healthful .

Tips for Growing Your Own Vegetables

Growing your own vegetables is a rewarding mode to enhance your diet and wellness . With a little feat , you’re able to enjoy fresher , tastier , and more nutritive produce all twelvemonth long .