08/12/2018 / By Russel Davis
The rising number of food gardens in the U.S. reflects a renewed interest in gardening and crop production. Gardening experts have shared a few tips on starting a vegetable garden from scratch.
Food gardening is steadily picking up steam among American households over the past few years, thanks to its many benefits including lower food costs and the availability of healthier, more natural produce. The increasing popularity of food gardening is well documented in a report carried out by the National Gardening Association, which indicated that 42 million Americans had grown their own vegetable gardens in 2013. This is a marked improvement compared with only 36 million households in 2008. (Related: Start Your Own Organic Vegetable Garden.)
According to the report, millennials between the ages of 18 and 34 have exhibited a significant interest in food gardening over a five-year period. The results likewise showed that 13 million millennials had started growing food gardens in 2013, compared with only eight million in 2008. Likewise, the report also indicated an increase in food gardening among urban area dwellers. The results revealed that up to nine million urban dwellers had started their food gardens in 2013, marking a 29 percent increase from only seven million in 2008. Moreover, the findings have shown a 300 percent increase in the number of households participating in community gardens.
The report noted that one in three households had started growing their food gardens. Likewise, 76 percent of all households with a food garden had cultivated vegetables. The report also indicated that households in the United States spent $3.5 billion on food gardening in 2013, a 40 percent increase from only $2.5 billion in 2008.
“This report clearly shows that there truly is a food revolution taking place in America. It’s very exciting to see more young people and families involved in growing and eating their own food through food gardening…That consistent message over time makes a tremendous difference and helps fuel more community involvement in gardening,? says Mike Metallo, former president and CEO of the National Gardening Association.
More articles on why you should start your own vegetable garden can be found at HomeGardeningNews.com.
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Tagged Under: cultivation, food garden, gardening, harvesting, home garden, homesteading, Off Grid living, vegetables