High in nutrition value, seasonal fruits and vegetables have a great impact on our health. Furthermore, seasonal vegetables, herbs, and fruits are of superior quality than those grown out of season. Have you ever wondered what is the secret to the baby boomer generation’s superb health and longevity? The answer is: a healthy atmosphere, a simple way of life, and home-grown food, since it is the closest to organic you can get (if not completely organic), and cheaply!
We pay great care and attention to what goes into the soil when we develop our own kitchen garden, just as we do with any other activity. We ensure premium food quality by employing natural fertilizers, high-grade compost and organic seeds. Food grown in a kitchen garden is organic, nutritious, devoid of pesticides and chemicals that can cause health problems. Furthermore, nothing compares to the taste and freshness of food grown at home. When we become accustomed to growing our own food, we rarely risk our health. Vegetables and fruits purchased from supermarkets usually decay within a few days of purchase.
Food prices have risen to unthinkable levels, making grocery shopping a nightmare. Price fluctuations in essential products lead to anxiety and their shortage makes us anxious. The state of uncertainty further adds to our worries. Therefore, it strains our mental health. Producing our own food saves us from all these petty concerns. A kitchen garden proves to be the best solution to fight off food security. If there is a shortage of tomatoes, for example, you will be unconcerned because your food is ready to harvest in your own green space. Having your own vegetables produced on your property would eliminate the need to go to the food shop.
Having a little kitchen garden enhances the appearance of our home and is beneficial for our general health. The relaxing green colour enhances the beauty of our home while also calming our minds and spirits. Fresh oxygen increases air quality, making it easier to live a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, the hard work put in to build the area pays off after the food is harvested. The overwhelming delight of realization is beyond words. It keeps us energized and driven. In the event of a lack of space, planting herb garden on a windowsill would bring the same sense of success and have a great impact on our welfare. Studies have found, gardening and horticultural therapy could reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improves attention and patience. Undoubtedly, time spent in nature is therapeutic.
Lemons, tomatoes, cucumbers, green chilies, mint and coriander are all summer staples. Growing them at home is easier than it sounds, and the rewards are well worth the effort. All we need to spare is a small corner in our home to grow them. Growing produce on the terrace would be icing on the cake as it would also make your home cool during scorching summer months. Land cultivation has diminished as the population has grown. As a result, fruits and vegetables are getting progressively expensive. We could solve this problem by growing our own food at home. We may save a considerable amount of money on groceries by spending a small amount of money on seeds, saplings and fertilizers. If you prefer fattoush or tabbouleh salad, don’t worry; by cultivating just the basics, such as tomatoes, mint, coriander, and lemons, you can have as much as you want. Cucumbers can be grown to encourage good eating habits in your children by including them in their lunch boxes. 
We live in an era when the planet is battling serious environmental challenges. Sustainable living is determined by our positive and environment friendly decisions that reduce our individual and collective environmental impact. It is a way of life aimed at conserving the planet’s natural resources. Growing a kitchen garden is one wonderful alternative for reducing our carbon footprints. Sustainable gardening is the new norm these days. Sustainable gardening is giving back to the Earth and not just taking from it. It’s a deliberate practice that leads to a shift in our way of living. Sustainable gardening includes composting kitchen waste, conserving water and growing plants from cut-out pieces of vegetables. Start with organic and open-pollinated varieties so you could save on seeds, reducing your need to buy year after year. This is one of the most sustainable actions you could take.
Let’s know and grow together some of the main ingredients and accompaniments of almost every Pakistani dish.
Lemons
Growing a lemon plant in your home, if you have ground for it, will generate more lemons than your family needs. When given the right conditions, lemons could make wonderful houseplants. Grow them as saplings or seeds in full sun, which implies at least 6-8 hours of direct sunshine per day. A lemon plant typically produces twice as many every subsequent year. Lemon is environment friendly and a low-cost plant. Make plenty of lemonades, margaritas, and sodas to enjoy your produce throughout the summer.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are extremely nutritious, giving antioxidants and numerous vitamins and are a compulsory ingredient in almost all Pakistani dishes. Salads, purees, sandwiches and curries without tomatoes would taste bland. Tomatoes grow best in the summer. To grow well, tomato seeds are sown deep in the soil, two feet or more apart. Tomato plants can withstand extreme temperatures but should be watered twice a day. To protect the tomato plant from wind, rain, and its own weight use a cage to support it. In 60-100 days, tomatoes are ready to harvest.
Mint
Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow. Take some mint root cuttings and stick them in the soil as soon as the summer season begins. Mint is a fast growing herb. Water mint well twice a week to allow excess water to drain from the bottom of the pot or container.
Coriander
Coriander is a common kitchen herb. Our meal would be incomplete without it, from garnishing plates to preparing chutnies. Coriander is a unique herb, adding it to our recipes helps reinvigorate our overall wellbeing. Coriander is considered the most common kitchen herb for its use worldwide. Sow coriander seeds in a pot and water once a week with 1 inch of water. Place the pot outside in a cool, shady location. Your herb will be ready to harvest in 45-70 days. Sow the seeds in March to enjoy the herb all through the summer. HH

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