The Pros and Cons of Growing Your Own Food

Growing your own food has become increasingly popular as more people seek healthier lifestyles, sustainable practices, and greater independence from the industrial food system. Whether you’re planting herbs on a patio or managing a backyard vegetable plot, gardening can be a deeply rewarding experience—but it also comes with its challenges.

In this post, we’ll explore the major pros and cons of growing your own food, helping you decide if it's the right path for you.

Pros of Growing Your Own Food

1. Fresh, Nutritious Produce

Nothing beats the taste of homegrown fruits and vegetables. Because they’re harvested at peak ripeness, homegrown foods often have more flavor and higher nutrient levels than store-bought produce, which may travel hundreds of miles before reaching your plate (Rickman et al., 2007). You also have complete control over what chemicals are sprayed on your food.

2. Greater Food Security

Growing even a portion of your own food provides a reliable backup during economic hardship, inflation, or supply chain disruptions. It gives you control over what you eat and how it's grown (FAO, 2021).

3. Save Money Over Time

While there are startup costs, a small vegetable garden can generate hundreds of dollars’ worth of produce annually. According to the National Gardening Association, the average home garden yields about $600 worth of food from a $70 investment (NGA, 2014).

4. Lower Environmental Impact

By reducing the need for packaging, processing, and long-distance transportation, growing your own food lowers your carbon footprint. It also allows for eco-friendly practices like composting and natural pest control.

5. Health and Wellness Benefits

Gardening gets you outdoors, encourages physical activity, and has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health (Soga et al., 2017). It’s an excellent way to connect with nature and unwind from the digital world. Want to see our garden? Check out our pergola with raised garden beds on our Projects page (link is at the bottom of the home page).

Cons of Growing Your Own Food

1. Time and Labor Requirements

Maintaining a garden takes consistent effort—from planning and planting to watering, weeding, and harvesting. For busy individuals or those with physical limitations, this can be a significant barrier.

2. Initial Setup Costs

Building raised beds, buying tools, improving soil, and purchasing seeds can add up quickly. While the investment can pay off, starting costs can be discouraging for beginners. One way around this is to get help from your community. Ask to borrow tools, share seeds, etc.

3. Dealing with Pests, Weather, and Disease

Even experienced gardeners lose crops to insects, wildlife, extreme weather, or plant diseases. Without proper knowledge and vigilance, it’s easy to see a season’s worth of work vanish overnight.

4. Limited Space and Crop Variety

Urban and suburban gardeners often face space restrictions. While herbs and salad greens thrive in small areas, staples like potatoes, corn, or grains require more room and labor.

5. Seasonal Limitations

Unless you have a greenhouse or invest in preservation methods (like canning or freezing), most homegrown food is only available seasonally.

Is Growing Your Own Food Worth It?

For many people, the answer is a resounding yes—if expectations are realistic. You don’t have to grow everything. Even a small herb garden or a few tomato plants can reduce grocery bills and improve your meals. Plus, gardening connects you with your food in a way no store ever could. At Fordyce Fields, we grow only those fruits and vegetables we eat regularly (apples, peaches, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, snap peas, various peppers, onions, beets, and cucumbers for pickling). We don’t bother with carrots, celery, corn, squash, etc. because we don’t eat them regularly. When you focus on planting what you eat, it’s easier to dedicate more time and energy into it.

Whether you're aiming for self-sufficiency or simply want tastier vegetables, growing your own food can be a practical and fulfilling step toward a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.