Grow Your Own Veggie Garden From Home

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Today you’re going to grow your own vegetable garden. If you don’t have all the supplies, don’t worry! Just aim to do the best you can with the things you have access to. Even sprouting a garlic bulb in a jar (you can cut the green stem that grows from garlic and use them like onions!) is a great start. And now that you know that growing food is important for others who don’t have access, you can share what you know and grow (hygienically of course)!  

VEGGIE GARDEN QUIZ

  1. Do you have access to an outdoor space with plenty of sunlight and a nearby water source? 

    – Do you also have the ability (a free community access area/plot) to plant in this space? [if yes, go to PATH A , if not continue with quiz] 

  2. If you don’t have a yard or access to outdoor space, do you have an area like a porch or balcony with plenty of sunlight?  

    – Do you or someone you know also have containers you can plant in or items you can repurpose with the goal of growing something edible? [if yes to all of the above, go to Path B, if not continue with quiz] 
  3. If you don’t have a porch or a balcony, do you have an indoor space with plenty of sunlight?  

    – Do you have access to glass jars or small kitchen containers, or even old food cartons? [if yes, lead to Path C

    GO TO YOUR RESULTS TO BEGIN YOUR GARDEN

Path A: Start an Outdoor Vegetable Garden 

Growing a garden has many benefits. Beyond the joy of harvesting your own food, helping limit waste and reducing contributions to climate change, time spent outdoors with your hands in the dirt has shown to be wonderful for your mood.  

An important note for gardening is to plant things in the right place. Some produce does not grow well next to each other. Each veggie plant also has specific lighting and watering needs. If you need guidance, feel free to look it up and/or read our blog about veggies you can regrow! Start by using the free vegetable garden mapping tool below. 

How to start if you don’t have access to seeds or other garden materials:  

  • Harvest seeds from the produce in your home (like garlic!) 
  • Grow vegetables from produce you have eaten (ex: garlic, celery, lettuce, carrots)  
  • Swap seeds with friends (with proper social distancing!) 
  • Order plants over the phone from your local nursery or with online vendors 

Resources:  


Path B: Start a Porch/Balcony Container Garden

Many vegetables, fruits and herbs thrive in containers! Do an online search for edible container gardens and you will find a wide variety of options. Select the plants that you are most likely to eat and that are right for the season. You can also read our blog about veggies you can regrow 

Below are ideas for acquiring seeds and plants:  

  • Harvest seeds/bulbs from produce in your home (like garlic!) 
  • Did you know you can grow vegetables from produce you have purchased at the store? (ex: beans, celery, lettuce, carrots and many herbs will re-root in water)  
  • Swap seeds with friends (with proper social distancing!) 
  • Order plants over the phone from your local nursery or with online vendors 

Resources:  


Path C: Start a Window garden 

Window gardens range from simple to impressively complex systems that allow you to grow food from the comfort of your own home! Grow a garlic bulb in a jar of water, sprout some sprouts, or place some small container herbs in a sunny window. Do an online search for DIY edible window gardens to find ideas that work for you and your space. You can also read our blog about veggies you can regrow! 

 
Below are ideas for acquiring seeds and plants:  

  • Harvest seeds/bulbs from the produce in your home
  • Grow vegetables from produce you have eaten (ex: garlic, celery, lettuce, carrots)  
  • Swap seeds with friends (with proper social distancing!) 
  • Order plants over the phone from your local nursery or with online vendors 

Resources:  

NEXT STEP: Show the World Your Project!
Once you’re done creating your garden, make sure to register your incredible ‘Grow Your Own’ Roots & Shoots project and build your project profile! 

BONUS: Dedicate your garden to Dr. Jane with this exclusive JGI
‘Seeds of Hope’ program 


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The Jane Goodall Institute is a global community conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall. By protecting chimpanzees and inspiring people to conserve the natural world we all share, we improve the lives of people, animals and the environment. Everything is connected—everyone can make a difference.

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About Author

Ashley Sullivan is the Director of Storytelling & Marketing for Communications & Partnerships at the Jane Goodall Institute USA, where she works to connect individuals with Dr. Jane Goodall's vision, and the JGI mission to create a better world for all by protecting the interconnections between people, other animals, and the environment. Ashley graduated Stony Brook University with a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology and a minor in Biology, and is pursuing a Master's of Science in Environmental Science & Policy at Johns Hopkins University with a focus on Environmental Justice. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, now a D.C. resident, she has a varied background including 10+ years of expert communications and digital marketing in the social and environmental non-profit sector. Her intersectional approach to this work has been shaped by a holistic world-view, having traveled to Madagascar and Ecuador for conservation research projects, leading communications for youth social justice filmmaking organizations, and as a part of several professional groups advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in environmental spaces including Greens REALIGN. With skills ranging from conservation fieldwork, policy and advocacy campaigns, strategic communications, art, digital media, and design, Ashley believes in sharing information to empower and in the magic of storytelling to transform hearts and minds. Through growing understanding, empathy, and justice, she is igniting positive change to create that better, more equitable world, every day.