"Vitamins to Grow for a Nutritious Diet"
By now, most of us have heard of the five-a-day rule, and it really is important to make sure we eat five portions of fruit and/or vegetables every day to keep the system going strong.
  Vegetables and fruit contain the most vitamins and minerals we can find on the planet and also in the most natural form. Our bodies are natural organic life forms, and although we all tend to abuse them on a regular basis, we are always in a position to be able to put that right and begin to create a healthy and natural body in which to live.
With a small patch of land, fruit and vegetables can be grown at home - or in an allotment - and eaten fresh, and chemical free every day. It really is possible to eat something from your garden every day of the year with a little careful planning, even if it is just a few herbs - which are also high in nutrients. Many herbs and smaller plants can be grown indoors, in a
conservatory, a windowbox, or simply on a windowsill. Grow a pot of basil next to the door and you will repel flies all summer and still have a great tasting herb to enhance your tomatoes every day!
Thompson and Morgan are online worldwide suppliers of seeds and
other products and they have some great pictures to drool over!
When planning your garden, include herbs and edible flowers. They will encourage the good bugs to your veggie patch and help to pollinate your plants. It's a good idea to have as much variation as possible, not only to satisfy the taste buds but also because some plants will be higher in certain minerals than others. There are nine vitamins we can easily produce ourselves, and are essential to a healthy balanced diet. They are: A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, B3 (Niacin), B5 (Pantothenic acid) and Folate.
Others include B12 and D. B12 is found in meat and dairy products and D mostly from the sunshine. Getting out in the garden every day will ensure a generous dose of Vitamin D, and B12 is found in meat products, eggs and other dairy produce. Unless you are seriously considering a self-sufficient lifestyle or running a small holding or farm, then B12 will have to brought in from other sources.
What you grow in your garden will depend heavily on your climate, your space and the amount of time you have available. The 'time' part can always be adapted. Time management is essential for our general well-being and any time spent outdoors must be good for you. To get a general idea of what you can grow in terms of producing the nutrients you need to keep you and your family healthy, I have listed below a few fruit and vegetables under vitamin headings that you may want to have a go at growing.
A: apricots, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, french beans, pumpkins,watercress, B1: artichokes, cauliflower, leeks, mushrooms, spinach, sweet corn, B2: artichokes, asparagus, garlic, okra, onions, turnip greens, B6: aubergine, bananas, courgettes, nuts, raspberries, tomatoes, C: apples, blackberries, citrus fruits, parsley, peppers, swedes, E: blueberries, most green leafy vegetables, soy beans, sunflower seeds, B3 (Niacin): artichokes, leafy green vegetables, parsley, peas, sweet corn, B5 (Pantothenic acid): avocado, broad beans, chicory, lentils, sweet potatoes, Folate: brussels sprouts, celeriac, cos lettuce, legumes, parsnips, spinach, This list is in no way complete, but gives you an idea of where to start. You can find more about growing your own vitamins and lots of recipe ideas in the book below... Good Health! Grow Your Own Groceries: Producing your own food is not only rewarding but - in times of economic and environmental changes - increasingly a must! Nature provides everything the human body requires to thrive, and cultivating some of those natural products in your own back garden will not only produce the best food on the planet for you and your loved ones, it is also economical, environmentally friendly and more fun than shopping.
 Gardening is more than a hobby; it's a way of life. Even without a garden, many plants can be grown in containers, on a balcony, and indoors. Order it now direct from the publisher... Grow Your Own Groceries Herb Gardening: Herbs are becoming recognised more and more as superfoods, as if we didn't know that really! 'Herb Gardening' has been beautifully put together by the publisher (Crowood Press) into a well presented book with full colour photos.  Along with growing instructions for forty different herbs, there are lots of great ideas, including culinary delights and medicinal alternatives. You'll also find gardening advice as well as some ideas on planning a herb garden. Order it now direct from the
publisher... Herb Gardening
Grow Your Own Pharmacy: If, like me, you want to be able to eat the best food on the planet, grow your own!  • Clear instructions on planning, planting, growing and harvesting the fruits, vegetables and herbs required for a healthy vitamin intake. • Recipes and menus to help incorporate the fruit and vegetables into your daily diet. Back To Home and Garden Back To Flower and Garden Tips Homepage Click here to subscribe to "Creative Gardening" - Your FREE monthly ezine! http://www.flower-and-garden-tips.com/vitamins.html |
brussel sprouts 
Carrots
Chile Peppers 
Sweetcorn 
Tomatoes