Home gardeners around the country are proving that they can grow an amazing amount of healthy and delicious vegetable crops in their own backyards. Thus, only hitting the produce section of the grocery store in order to supplement their fresh food.

The best reason to grow your own vegetables is because you can control what goes onto – and into – your food; plus produce doesn’t get any fresher then traveling 24 feet from the garden to the kitchen. While it may seem like commercial farmers have all the right stuff (including lots of land); there are some distinct advantages to growing produce in your backyard verses a full blown farm with vast acreage.

Advantage #1 – The first benefit is that a backyard vegetable garden is an endeavor that’s manageable by nearly everyone. And it doesn’t take a crew of workers to plant, maintain, or bring in a crop in a typical backyard situation.

Advantage #2 – The second incredibly cool thing about small land farming is that depending on where and how you intend to garden, if a crop isn’t working in one area, it is possible to simply move that crop to a different location – all in the same season. This is a simple situation if you’re container gardening. If your carrots are in big plastic pots and you find they are not getting a good enough sun-soaking, just drag the planted container to another location.

Advantage #3 – If you are using raised beds, depending on your growing zone; it’s very possible to squeeze another harvest out in the same season. Raised beds stay warmer than beds dug into the ground. This isn’t something large farm operations can often enjoy.

Advantage #4 – Raised beds are not only more reasonable to construct in a backyard, but can be also created in any fashion your little heart desires. They can be built on a long stretch of side yard, or several shorter rows out back. They can be L – shaped or a kidney-shaped island in the middle of the lawn. You can have container boxes on your back porch by the kitchen door, which perfect for an herb garden.

Advantage #5 – Gardening tools are inexpensive and minimal (by far) compared to traditional farming. There’s not only less of it to purchase, but the price can range down to nearly nonexistent if you receive some as gifts, hit garage sales, Freecycle.com, or Craig’s List ads. Anything with a motor attached is just a luxury.

Advantage #6 – Apartment and condominium dwellers take heart; you can grow your fair share of crops on your decks, balconies and window boxes. There’s even upside down tomato plant grower so small spaces can take advantage of every square inch; even upside down hanging from the eaves.

Advantage #7 – The last advantage to growing your own backyard produce is that it’s less inclined to be attacked by garden pests in great numbers. Home gardeners grow distinctly smaller quantities of vegetables so pests have a harder time discovering home crops. It’s also easy to tuck companion plants into garden beds to both attract beneficial insects and repel undesirable ones. If pests do insist on hanging around, they’re easier to remove in a backyard garden.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Ashman Garden Cultivator (1Pack)

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Solid Build—The Ashman Garden Cultivator/Tiller is strong in construction so that it can withstand heavy work in the garden. The blade and the shaft are coupled well for deep digging and uprooting the soil from the depths. It serves the purpose of cultivation very well. Create a blooming crop and watch it blossom and reap the benefits. Sharpened Fine piercing Blade—The blades are razor sharp and are made to pierce into any kind of soil and to serve digging, loosening soil, and weeding. The blades are rust-proof and have chip-resistant coating enhancing durability. Use it to control weeds, bury crop residue in the soil, and for preparing a proper seed bed. High-Quality Design—The thoughtful design incorporated to shape the blades in L shape helps dig deep into the soil and rip it from beneath for cultivation. This helps a lot when weeding. Dig well and plant well. The handle is made to fit in the hand well and can be held tightly to apply push and pull forces effectively. Practical Utility—The garden cultivator is made with “practical utility” as the core of its purpose. It serves all the necessary purposes when gardening. Helps mix soil, which will loosen it up, providing more nutrients for the crops.

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Spearhead Shade Gardening Shovel with Steel-Reinforced Fiberglass Handle

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Reduce Digging Effort - The Spear Head Spade is the first hybrid shovel/spade, guaranteed to make your toughest digging up to 80% easier than regular shovels and spades, even in the toughest soil conditions. Ideal for landscaping and gardening. Multi-Purpose Shovel - Spear Head Spade is a versatile tool that can be used for digging, planting, weeding, cutting, and edging. It is designed to handle tough soil and clay conditions, and can cut through roots and tough vegetation with ease. Innovative Design - Has a unique blade design that makes it more efficient and easier to use than traditional spades. The blade is shaped like a spearhead, with a pointed tip and a curved edge that allows it to penetrate the soil more easily. Ergonomic D-Handle - The large, cushioned D-grip offers comfort and better leverage for gloved and ungloved hands alike, reducing strain on the hands and wrists. Lightweight & Strong - Durable handle is made of special steel-reinforced, pultruded fiberglass to withstand heavy use. 60% stronger than EN-3388 shovel/spade standards, 33% thicker and 25% harder than normal shovels. Sharpened from tip to tail at a 35 degree angle for an effective and durable edge.

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Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

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Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

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