# data[].attributes.body
This is a great way to get outside
It’s a great activity to do with your family
You can grow fruits and vegetables to cook with an cut flowers to decorate your house

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
I tell you, with prices going through the roof and stories everywhere about food safety recalls, this is the year to grow your own vegetables, spices and herbs. If it's something you've always considered - or maybe you did it in the past - here's why you should consider it again in 2012.

1. Great tasting food! Nothing tastes quite like fresh, homegrown vegetables and herbs. Every recipe suddenly comes to life and the flavor just explodes in your mouth. There's no "sitting-on-the-shelf" flavor, and you just can't compare the flavor. And if it tastes good, you and your family are much more likely to eat the vital foods your body needs.

2. Safer food. If I could actually read, I would be alarmed at all the stories about recalls on spinach, lettuce, tomatoes and more. By growing your own food, there are no worries about contamination from the farms, manufacturing plants or during delivery. If it's in your backyard, it's safe!

3. Better health. Tilling the soil, planting, weeding, watering and harvesting gets you outdoors, breathing fresh air and burning a few calories while you're at it. It's also a great way to relax and get the stress out of your mind. While you're working up a sweat, you also know fresh-grown food is packed with nutrients, high in fiber and low in calories.

4. Nutrient-packed veggies. Studies prove that organically grown food has more much-needed vitamins and minerals than vegetables grown with synthetic pesticides. A backyard garden starts with highly nourished soil, which means more nourishment for the plants and, ultimately, our bodies.

5. Less food waste. Did you know the average household throws out more than $600 of produce a year? That's nuts! Of course, you're more likely to throw out a mushy, store-bought tomato than one you nurtured in your garden. When something is "yours," you probably won't take it for granted. Plus, when it's fresh, it tastes better, so it won't go bad sitting in the vegetable bin.

6. Less environmental impact. Believe it or not, a garden in your backyard helps the planet. Growing food without pesticides and herbicides cuts down on air and water pollution, and less fossil fuel, as there is no need to transport vegetables from across the nation or even around the world.

7. A sense of pride. Planting seeds, nurturing them and watching them grow under your care gives you a feeling of accomplishment that's hard to explain. It's fun work that helps you nourish your family and maintain your health. Caring for plants is also a great way to teach kids about nature and give them a great sense of pride!

8. Save energy. Did you know today's farms use more energy than any other single industry? Amazing but true. Farms eat up 12 percent of the country's total energy supply. But you can make a difference. Growing your own food helps cut down on overall energy use.

9. Fight soil erosion. Today's farmers face the worst soil erosion in history - more than 3 billion tons of topsoil every year! Every crop grown in the backyard rather than on a commercial farm helps reduce this very real problem.

10. Save money! It goes without saying that we could all "squirrel away" a few extra dollars in these tough times. Growing your own is a great way to do that. Studies show that for every $1 you spend on seeds, gardening tools and time, you get back nearly $2 in fresh produce! That's what I call more bang for your buck!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Top 10 Reasons To Grow Your Own Garden - Garden Weasel

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
I tell you, with prices going through the roof and stories everywhere about food safety recalls, this is the year to grow your own vegetables, spices and herbs. If it's something you've always considered - or maybe you did it in the past - here's why you should consider it again in 2012.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
By: Kim Hayes, AARP Published June 14, 2017

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
5 Health Benefits of Gardening and Planting

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Thinking of planting flowers or vegetables in your yard? Beyond beautifying your landscape, here are other health benefits of gardening.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Dig into your new gardening adventure with this step-by-step guide to help you make the most of your landscape.

Starting a garden is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Plant fragrant florals or start a vegetable garden (or both!), and everyone can benefit from getting their hands a little dirty. But if you're new to gardening, it can be difficult to know where to start. Still, it doesn't have to be complicated; when you break your project down into manageable steps, you can ease into gardening at your own pace. And soon you'll see the rewards of your efforts with beautiful views, delicious flavors, and colorful blooms. These steps will help you get started from scratch, but if you have something particular in mind, you could also use a garden plan to guide your design.

1. Consider What to Plant

Do you want to plant a vegetable garden? An herb garden? A flower garden? If you choose vegetables and herbs for their contributions to your dinner table, plant ones your family will eat or be willing to try. If you want flowers for their flair, color, and fragrance, decide whether you want annuals that bloom most of the summer but need to be replanted each spring or perennials that have a shorter bloom time but return year after year. Each one, or even a combination, makes a stunning garden but will have different maintenance requirements. One bit of advice: Start small until you know what you're getting into.

2. Pick the Best Garden Spot

If possible, pick a relatively flat spot for your garden because it's more difficult, time-consuming, and potentially expensive to deal with a sloping garden. And make sure your new garden will have easy access to a water source.

3. Clear the Ground

Get rid of weeds and sod in the area you plan to plant. If you want quick results (if it's already spring and you want veggies this summer), cut it out. Slice under the sod with a spade, cut the sod into sections to make it easier to remove, then put it on your compost pile to decompose. For a longer term project, it's easier to use the lasagna gardening method: Cover your future garden with five sheets of newspaper; double that amount if your lawn is Bermuda grass or St. Augustine grass. Spread a 3-inch layer of compost (or combination of potting soil and topsoil) on the newspaper and wait. It'll take about four months for the compost and paper to decompose. But if you start in the fall, by spring you'll have a bed ready to plant with no grass or weeds and plenty of rich soil.

4. Test and Improve Your Soil

To learn more about your soil, have a soil test done through your county cooperative extension office. They'll lead you through the procedure: How much soil to send from which parts of the garden and the best time to obtain samples. Expect a two-week wait for the findings, which will tell you what your soil lacks and how to amend it. You can also use a DIY kit that may not be as detailed, but will give you an idea of your soil's nutrient levels.

5. Prepare Your Planting Beds

Loosening the soil in new beds before sowing or planting helps roots to grow more easily and access the water and nutrients they need. There are two methods: tilling with a mechanical device such as a rototiller or digging by hand. The first one is a good method when you need to mix in large amounts of amendment s. However, it's easy to overdo it, which will end up damaging soil structure. Digging is more practical for preparing small beds.

Either way, work the soil only when it's moist enough to form a loose ball in your fist but dry enough to fall apart when you drop it. Digging when the soil is too dry is harder work, and you can damage the soil structure if it's too wet. Use a spade or spading fork to gently turn the top 6-8 inches of soil, mixing in the organic matter from Step 4 at the same time. (Walking on prepared beds compacts the soil, so lay down plywood boards temporarily to evenly distribute your weight.)

6. Pick Your Plants

Some people pore over catalogs for months; others head to the garden center and buy what wows them. Either method works as long as you choose plants adapted to your climate, soil, and sunlight. You can even surf the Internet for plants to purchase. Here are a few easy-to-grow plants for beginners:

7. Start Planting

An easier method of starting your garden is to buy young plants, called set plants or transplants. Dig holes in your prepared bed based on tag instructions. Remove plants from the container by pushing up from the bottom. If the roots have grown into a big ball (known as being root-bound), use an old fork or your fingers to untangle some outer roots before setting it into the hole. Pat soil into place around the roots, then soak the soil with water.

8. Water at the Right Time

Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, so water daily. Taper off as the plants get larger. Transplants also need frequent watering (every other day or so) until their roots become established. After that, how often you need to water depends on your soil, humidity, and rainfall, though once a week is a good place to start. Clay soil dries out more slowly than sandy soil, so you won't need to water it as often. Sunny, windy conditions dry out soil more quickly than cool, cloudy weather. Still not sure? Feel the soil 3-4 inches below the surface. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water slowly and deeply, so the water soaks in instead of running off. To minimize evaporation, water in the early morning.

9. Protect Your Garden With Mulch

To help keep weeds out and moisture in, cover the soil with a couple of inches of mulch. You won't have to water as often, and by preventing sunlight from hitting the soil, you'll prevent weed seeds from germinating. Choose from a wide variety of mulches, each with its own benefits, including shredded bark, straw, and river rock. If you use organic mulch, such as bark, compost, or cocoa bean shells (which smell good, by the way), it will nourish the soil as it decomposes. For a vegetable garden or bed of annuals, choose a mulch that decomposes in a few months. For perennials, use a longer-lasting mulch such as bark chips.

10. Maintain Your Garden Regularly

As your garden begins to grow, help it reach its full potential by keeping up with garden chores. Water the plants before they wilt. Pull weeds before they go to seed. Get rid of dead, dying, and diseased vegetation. Banish destructive insects by picking them off the plant and dropping them into a bucket of sudsy water (such as tomato hornworms), hosing them off, or spraying on an insecticidal soap purchased at a garden center. Support tall plants (such as tomatoes) with a trellis, stake, or a tepee. Also, harvest vegetables as soon as they're ready. And remember to stop and smell the...well, whatever it is you're growing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Follow These 10 Steps to Create a Successful First Garden

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dig into your new gardening adventure with this step-by-step guide to help you make the most of your landscape. Starting a garden is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Plant fragrant florals or start a vegetable garden (or both!), and everyone can benefit from getting their hands a little dirty.