Rich in vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients, some superfoods are easier to care for than others. Find out which ones you can easily grow yourself, if you want to have the guarantee that they’ve never been touched by pesticides.
From berry shrubs to vegetables with a very important nutritional value, discover the superfoods you can grow at home without much effort and enjoy either fresh or preserved.
Cherry Tomatoes
You’re better off by choosing cherry tomatoes instead of regular ones for two important reasons. They need less resources and give a better yield, and you’ll also be eating more of their skins, rich in lycopene.
Useful for protecting your skin from the sun, lycopene is also important to help eliminate inflammatory compounds from your body.
Blueberries
One of the best superfoods you can grow at home, blueberries have a high concentration of antioxidants that help keep both your skin and your circulatory system healthy. You can pick from plenty of varieties, including more ornamental blueberry shrubs or smaller versions better suited to containers and you’ll be able to enjoy them fresh.
Asparagus
Growing stalks of asparagus between February and June means you’ll get the full seasonal flavor of this delicious and healthy vegetable. It’s definitely one of the superfoods you can grow at home and it can offer important benefits for your immune system, while also packing plenty of vitamins A and K. Besides being loaded with nutrients, asparagus is also a natural diuretic that fights water retention.
Kale
This leafy green is rich in vitamins A, C, K, along with a high content of calcium. Rich in antioxidants, kale can reduce the risk of cancer and lower the risk of heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol levels. Available in many varieties, kale can also double as an ornamental thanks to it beautiful leaves. Once you’re ready to enjoy it, store the harvested leaves up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Quinoa
One of the best whole grains, quinoa has plenty of fiber and protein, making it a staple of many vegetarian diets. You might need to invest in more equipment to harvest the grain from the dried seeds of the plant, but quinoa can also have ornamental value in any garden. It’s also a must have crop in your garden if you plan on going gluten-free.
Sweet Potato
One of the easiest superfoods you can grow at home, sweet potatoes are high in vitamins B6, C, D, and they’re an excellent source of iron, magnesium and potassium. With plenty of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, sweet potatoes are very easy to grow, either in your garden or in containers. These versatile vegetables are delicious and easy to store.
Goji Berries
A true superfood, goji berries have been used in Asia for centuries, and they’re easy to grow in your backyard. They’re an excellent source of vitamin C and E along with lycopene and beta-carotene. New goji berry varieties are as easy to care for as raspberries and need support when growing in your garden, but they can also thrive in containers.
Carrots
You won’t find the delicious flavor of carrots grown in the garden in any supermarket. They’re easily one of the best superfoods you can grow at home and have a high content of beta-carotene. Carrots can lower the risk of cancer and they also have excellent anti-aging benefits for your entire body. You can plant varieties in many colors and enjoy them raw or cooked with the skin.
Spinach
An excellent source of folate and vitamin C, spinach is definitely one of the healthiest leafy greens. It also contains phytochemicals that help prevent premature aging and can have a beneficial effect your immunity. You can also grow in indoors next to windows and you’ll extended its seasonal crop.
Garlic
With its delicious aroma, garlic is also one of the superfoods you can grow at home. Along with plenty of minerals and vitamins, garlic also contains phytochemicals with antimicrobial and antibiotic properties. Use it when you’re cooking to improve cardiovascular health and go add its special aroma to your dishes.
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