With the rising cost of food prices and contamination in the news on a more frequent basis, the time has never been better for starting your own garden.  Perhaps you grew up seeing a relative tend a garden and have already experienced the satisfaction of watching small seeds blossom into beautiful plants, or watching a crop of vegetables materialize over the course of a season.  If so, you’re probably already convinced.  If you are still considering whether a garden is a good idea, here are the five big reasons to get started.

1. Control your food supply.  Is there anything scarier than hearing about batches of spinach contaminated with E. coli?  Or some herbs leading to an outbreak of salmonella poisoning?  With the genetic modification of vegetables so commonplace these days, growing your own vegetables will make your food supply safer.

2. Make your diet better.  When you see the incredible colors and flavors of organically-grown produce, you will be more likely to include vegetables in every meal you eat.  Eating plenty of vegetables is one of the keys to staying healthy.

3. Get out, stay active.  Do you ever find yourself struggling to overcome sluggishness, especially on a rainy day?  Your vegetable plants will become your babies: you’ll want to get up and take care of them, leading you to get out and be active with a purpose.  It’s more fun than a treadmill.

4. Create a still-life.  There is a reason the great artists have always painted fruits and vegetables: they have inherent beauty and are living objects.  Make your back or front yard look like a painting.

5. Peace of Mind.  Like playing the piano or fishing, gardening takes concentration and technique that develops over time.  While you focus on the art of creating your garden, your mind will use this wholesome activity to release the negativity that can enter the mind.  A garden is a healthy retreat.