Wander into the produce section of any modern grocery store and you’ll be rewarded with an impressive array of vegetables and fruits from all corners of the globe. Despite this ease of access, an increasing interest in home gardening demonstrates a continuing passion for the craft and the plethora of benefits it sprouts, including living sustainably and falling into the rhythm of the seasons.
Although the necessity of home gardens has varied throughout time, between the rising cost of food or a yearning to reconnect with nature, the interest in growing and preserving produce has never been stronger.
Meet Paul Griffiths—passionate gardener
For the past 5 years, Squamish, BC-based gardener Paul Griffiths has tended to a productive home garden that’s grown more expansive with each season. “As my garden grows, it requires more time and financial commitment, but it’s a hobby that rewards me and my family many times over,” Griffiths says.
He understands that gardening and subsequent preservation give him a sense of agency and empowerment over what he eats throughout the year.
With increased experience, Griffiths now manages to grow a substantial amount of nutritious food in a relatively modest space. “I’m always excited to go into my yard and pick dinner.”
Griffiths is also quick to point out that gardening has forged a greater connection with his now 9-year-old daughter. “It’s become a father-daughter project that includes shared time in harvesting.” They’ve even successfully entered some of their homegrown vegetables, including a squash that remarkably resembled Frankenstein’s head, into a local fall fair.
Generations of homesteaders, like Griffiths, have found it immensely gratifying to watch their gardens grow and develop. The reasons to pick up your spade are many. Let’s just overlook the dirty fingernails.
First steps
You don’t have to spend the entire warm season digging in the dirt to be a successful gardener. With little expense and effort, you can grow some—or all―of your dinner. Griffiths suggests starting with these nearly foolproof nutrition powerhouses, even if you don’t have acres of land or a green thumb:
- lettuce
- Swiss chard
- herbs
- carrots
- beets
- cherry tomatoes
Grow your health
Gardens provide numerous benefits, including increased access to fresh produce, opportunities for physical activity, social connections, and mental well-being. Planting vegetables can reap delicious harvests for your table, but dig a little deeper, and the health benefits of gardening prove to be just as rewarding.
A mental-health boost
“A big reason I continue to garden is the benefit to mental health it brings me,” says Griffiths. “Having my hands in the dirt and bare feet in the grass affords me a greater connection to nature that reliably improves my outlook.” This mental health boost is so strong that even if he couldn’t eat what he grows, Griffiths says he’d still have a garden in his backyard.
Better heart health
Among older adults, gardening is associated with better heart-health status and lower odds of developing diabetes, according to a study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Compared to non-exercisers, gardeners were also more likely to consume higher amounts of fruits and vegetables, which may account for some of the health benefits.
A randomized, controlled study in The Lancet Planetary Health involving individuals who were assigned to participate in a community garden suggests increased physical activity per week, higher fibre intake, and decreased stress and anxiety levels are associated with working in gardens, compared to not gardening.
Improved body weight management
Results of a research review in Health Promotion International suggest that gardening can have a significantly positive effect on body weight. Yes, a busy day in the garden can be a good form of calorie-burning exercise. Having children participate in gardening may be a way to reduce their consumption of ultra-processed foods and boost their nutrition.
Digging for nutrition
Of course, one of the great pleasures of home or community gardening is luxuriating in the harvest. “I don’t enjoy those fresh and juicy tomatoes straight from the garden”, says nobody.
Aside from great taste, there can be a tangible nutritional advantage to feasting on a fresh-from-the-garden haul. Tomatoes, carrots, and raspberries picked close to your kitchen and consumed soon afterward can retain a large amount of their health-giving nutrients. Other vegetables and fruits that can be grown in backyards, rooftops, and windowsills have a bounty of unique nutrition benefits.
Seeds of change
Don’t be hesitant to grow your garden from seed. “Virtually all of my garden now starts from seed,” Griffiths says. He explains this is a way to make gardening much less expensive and is easier than many think. “You just need dirt, sun, water, and patience.” He adds that you can plant a lot of lettuce seeds for the same price as buying one or two seedlings.”
Rewards of the bounty
What if you’re like Griffiths and you’re lucky enough to harvest more beans, carrots, and beets than you can possibly use? That’s when you want to make like the pioneers and preserve your bounty.
Preservation methods like canning and pickling are a great way to put garden foods away for future enjoyment. Have tons of basil? Make a big batch of pesto and freeze the extras for a taste of sunshine when the weather is frightful.
“I pickle several different foods I grow, including beets, cucumber, green beans, and jalapeno,” says Griffiths. He boasts that his brine is now dialled-in and the pickles have become popular gifts with family and friends. A good chunk of his tomato haul is transformed into red sauce, and his freezer is stocked with zero-mile beans. “Preserving these foods helps sustain our family throughout the year,” he says.
Preserving soon after harvest can retain much of the taste, texture, and nutrition of your precious backyard haul. Griffiths adds this is another activity that children can participate in, which can help foster their culinary skills and appreciation for nutritious foods.
So, gardening is akin to a two-for-one endeavour: the initial payoff and then the potential to stack your pantry and fridge with your gifts of the garden, ready for you to enjoy for weeks to come.
Need help?
Your local library, community garden compatriots, or garden club members will likely have home preserving books or personal advice to help you learn the ins and outs of the process and the best methods to use.
Or check our delicious and easy-to-tackle preserve recipes on page [XX].
Dig in
“There’s so much personal satisfaction that comes with gardening, so I think more people should get past their hesitations over giving it a try,” says Griffiths. But there are a few things to keep in mind before you jump in and start an edible garden.
Start small
Griffiths didn’t grow a substantial amount of food in his 240 square feet (22 square meters) of garden from the get-go. “It’s important for new gardeners to curb their enthusiasm and start small,” he suggests. “You don’t want to do too much, which can lead to frustration and feeling overwhelmed.”
The larger the garden, the more work it entails. He recommends simply starting with a herb garden, since it’s easy to grow and can be done successfully in a small space.
Build up from there and increase what you plant as you learn more and become more confident in your gardening skills. “A big part of gardening is learning from your mistakes, which I guess is a metaphor for life,” says Griffiths.
Research appropriate plants
Find plants that grow well in your climate or hardiness zone. Talk with local skilled gardeners or find other resources, like local seed sellers, to gather more information about plants that thrive in your area. This improves your chances of success and lowers the stress and potential disappointment.
Build a network
Find other people who are interested in gardening by exploring local community gardens, gardening clubs, and online platforms. Learn from each other’s successes and failures. “Each year I learn more, and my yield grows,” says Griffiths.
Rise up
Designing a raised garden can offer a few advantages, including more consistent results, less weeding, and―as Griffiths will extol―an increase in the comfort of gardening. Each of his plots are now raised three or more feet (about 1 meter) off the ground, which has boosted his backyard yield.
Join a crowd—community gardens
Not everyone has the outdoor space to grow a substantial amount of tomatoes, kale, and green beans. This is where community gardens come to the rescue―shared outdoor spaces in urban and suburban areas where individuals come together to grow various types of foods and other plants.
These gardens can be housed everywhere from local parks to church grounds and rooftops, and promote healthy living, community interaction, and sustainable practices, including reducing food miles.
One important benefit of this collaborative growing, especially if you’re a gardening novice, is tapping into the expertise of your fellow growers for shared learning. There can also be a noticeable mental health benefit from increasing the size of your tribe and using this as an opportunity to forge new social connections.
Community centres, libraries, and neighbourhood associations often serve as information hubs for local activities, including community gardening.
This article was originally published in the September 2025 issue of alive magazine.
Matthew Kadey, MSc, RD, is a dietitian, nutrition writer, and recipe developer. He is also the author of Rocket Fuel (VeloPress, 2016) and Muffin Tin Chef (Ulysses Press, 2012).
Makena Wardle
Alexa Everett
Karli Petrovic