Good nutrition helps cancer patients feel better during cancer treatment and recover faster from treatment. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the star component of a well-balanced, healthy menu. We all know where fruits and vegetables come from—Mother Nature. But, how many of us have ever eaten something we’ve actually grown?
Gardening, especially growing fruits and vegetables that you can eat and enjoy, can be an excellent hobby. Involve the whole family to make the experience more fun and educational for children.
The benefits of gardening with your family include:
- Growing your own fresh foods
- Exercise
- Time out doors
- Saving money
- Time with family
- Learning about food
- More appreciation of food and nature
April is the best month in most parts of the US to plant many vegetables and fruits. (That’s why April is National Garden Month!) You’ll want to make sure to plant your garden after the last frost to protect the plants from cold temperatures. Check local weather forecasts or an almanac to determine a good time plant. You can plant from seeds or transfer small plants to your garden. Most seed packets and transfer plants come with instructions on how to care for the plant. Keep these instructions. Once everything is planted, you will still need to care for garden as it grows including regular watering, weeding, and pest control.
Not sure what to plant? A “salsa garden” is a great first vegetable garden for beginners. As you may have guessed, a vegetable garden includes tomatoes, peppers, and onions… basically everything you need to make salsa. Yum!
If you don’t have the backyard space for a garden, you can also use planters to grow some items like tomatoes on your stoop, porch, or balcony. You can also grow herbs in small pots near a window in your kitchen. If a garden of your own is just not right for you, volunteer at local community garden or help out a friend or neighbor with a green thumb.
Enjoy the spring weather and watch your garden grow!
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