Here Are 5 Reasons Why You Should Start A Garden

by Milwaukee Pepper Grower March 6, 2025

There are countless benefits to starting your garden, from saving money to improving your health. Ron Finley

once said, “Growing your food is printing your own money,” and I couldn’t agree more! Gardening isn’t just about fresh produce—it’s about self-sufficiency, sustainability, and a deeper connection to nature.

Whether you have a backyard garden, a small patio setup, a windowsill herb collection, an indoor hydroponic system, or even a basement grow space (yes, you can start a garden in your basement!), there’s always a way to grow your food, no matter your space.

In this post, we’ll explore five powerful reasons why starting a garden is one of the best investments you can make for your health, wallet, and the environment. By the end, you’ll be ready to plan your garden today and take the first step toward a more sustainable lifestyle!

Jig-saw gator plants in backyard garden in front of greenhouse

In This Article

Now, Who doesn’t want better health? I know I do and our nutrition is the best place to start. I think we all can use being more healthy. Growing your food means you always have access to fresh nutritional-dense foods at your fingertips. Fresh organic food is what our bodies always crave. Not the processed foods most of us eat every day without knowing. Eating processed food can hurt your health. Having more healthy unprocessed foods will promote more healing and better overall well-being.

Clean Eating

I think one of the best ways to eat clean is by knowing where your food comes from. I don’t wanna go down a rabbit hole here, but just depending on the big box stores to feed us shouldn’t be the only option. A lot of the big chain farms are treating the food with heavy chemicals. I think the chemical use alone is more than enough reason to start your garden and what better way to make sure you’re eating clean, safe, food with no harmful chemicals than by growing your food?

Better Mental Focus & Happiness

Gator Jig-Saw Orange Pepper Live Plant - Tasty Pepper

Having an urban farm has increased my mental and my happiness by enhancing my overall mood. I’m able to think clearly and spend more time with myself and my family and I always get clarity and a sense of well-being when working around my plants. I would have never thought being and working in a garden could be so calming and relaxing. I think that’s nature talking to me and I believe that’s even more reason why we should be growing our crops so we can be connected back to nature and being one with ourselves.

Save Money

This has to be one of the best reasons. We all want and probably need to save more money. One way to save even more money is saving on your food budget. I know my food bill was really out of control. My wife & I couldn’t believe the amount of money we were spending on groceries. I mean you would think we were paying for high-quality food with what we were being charged but we were not. My wife and I felt even more guilty because we are urban farmers and we knew if we wanted to save more money we needed to start growing our food. Growing your food will humble and educate you while giving you a sense of pride and enjoyment.

Location

You can start a garden anywhere. The picture right above showing these beautiful Carolina Reaper Peppers is right in my home backyard. I have added greenhouses to my backyard but before adding any greenhouses I had over 200 plants in my backyard and maybe another 100 inside of my house. The point is that you can start inside a closet if that’s where u wanna begin. Starting your urban farm is about so much more than just growing your food. It is also about your health, and enhancing your well-being.

📌 FAQ: Starting a Garden

🌱 How do I start a garden as a beginner?

Start small! Choose a **sunny spot**, test your soil, and select **easy-to-grow plants** like peppers, tomatoes, or herbs. Use quality soil and water consistently. 🌞💧

🌿 What are the best vegetables for first-time gardeners?

Great beginner-friendly veggies include **lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini**. These plants are low-maintenance and grow quickly! 🥬🍅

☀️ How much sunlight does my garden need?

Most vegetables need **at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily**. Leafy greens like spinach can tolerate partial shade. 🌤️

💦 How often should I water my garden?

Water deeply **2-3 times per week**, ensuring the soil stays moist but not waterlogged. Use mulch to retain moisture. 💧🌱

🛑 What are common mistakes to avoid when starting a garden?

Avoid **overwatering, poor spacing, skipping soil testing, and planting out of season**. Research your plants' needs for best results! 🚜❌

🌿 My Final Thought

Starting a garden is one of the best things you can do for yourself, and remember—you can grow food anywhere! Whether it’s a small balcony, a backyard plot, or an indoor setup, gardening is a rewarding experience that brings fresh, homegrown produce right to your fingertips. Personally, I love stepping into my backyard and picking some of my favorite foods straight from the garden.

Growing your own food isn't hard—it just takes the right mindset and a little dedication. Sometimes, all we need is the right push to get started. Now that you know my 5 powerful reasons for starting an urban garden, what’s stopping you from planting your first seed? 🌱 What will be the first thing you grow? 🍅🥬