Americans Take Up Gardening As Food Shortages Continue

Are you going to wait until the food supplies run out and then do something about it? A true prepper knows better! Start gardening now and ensure your family has enough food supply for the duration of this pandemic.

Why Should You Start Gardening Now

In recent years, self-sustainability has gone by the wayside. Our increasingly busy lives have led to a reliance on supply chain and infrastructure.

Forget gardening and farming. Many Americans aren’t even doing their own grocery shopping anymore, with curbside pickup and grocery delivery growing in popularity.

But the coronavirus pandemic has alarmed younger generations, as the realization that life as we know it may not be so sustainable. Older generations lived through the Great Depression, world wars, and several severe recessions.

Some even recall previous pandemics. Baby boomers and younger have not experienced the same hardships; an expectation that everything we need will be readily available has become common.

With time on their hands and access to food limited, Americans are taking up gardening. In addition to purchasing seeds, chickens are also hot commodities after egg shortages have been an ongoing issue in stores.

Gardening is the answer to so many of the problems America is facing.

Guarantee Access to Fresh Foods

For high-risk individuals, trips to the grocery or big box store are highly discouraged, even when using a mask. Coronavirus has been said to live on surfaces and spread quickly amongst groups of people.

Grocery delivery services are overwhelmed and finding an open time slot can be challenging. Even when people are getting to stores, many shelves are empty and orders cannot be filled to completion.

Growing your own garden provides you with safe and exclusive access to a variety of foods that you personally select. Soups and canned goods flew off the shelves as panic buying escalated.

But with your own garden, you can make fresh soups and stews. With a pressure canner, you can even store your own harvest for long-term use.

Boost Your Immune System

Interest in vitamins and supplements has also been sparked in an effort to boost immune systems and avoid the virus altogether. In a perfect world, you would receive all of the nutrients you need from your diet and lifestyle. Choosing fresh produce with each meal contributes heavily to immune system strength.

In addition to the physical benefits of consuming the vegetables you grow, there are very real benefits to spending time outdoors in the sun and fresh air. Spending time outside also improves immune health.

Gardening is also a form of exercise that will help you reach optimal health. Even half an hour each day will reap enormous benefits.

Gardening Is the Perfect Social Distancing Activity

Gardening keeps you occupied and engaged while staying home and still being productive. Rather than binge-watching TV shows or movies, you can contribute to better overall health and learn a new hobby.

Gardening is extremely fulfilling, and experimenting with new recipes is a natural next step. In addition to vegetables, don’t forget to plant fresh herbs!

How Can You Start?

Many gardening sections of stores are experiencing shortages as popularity rises. Don’t feel down if some things are out of stock. You do not need a fancy raised bed or pots to grow food.

You can plant in cups and even reusable bags. Rotisserie chicken containers make for a great miniature greenhouse. If you don’t have a yard, use your balcony or window sills where you receive the most sunlight.

Start with vegetables that are easy to grow, like tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, and potatoes. Start small and keep at it. A garden really is an investment in your food security.

Up Next:

• 10 Vegetable Garden Plants To Grow Now For A Quick Harvest
• 13 Dried And Canned Foods With The Longest Shelf Lives
• How To Best Store Food For The Long-Term