How to Start Growing Your Own Food: A Homesteading Dietitian’s Guide
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including from Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!
The Joy of Growing Your Own Food
Imagine stepping outside and snipping fresh basil for pasta, pulling a crisp cucumber for your salad, or picking a handful of strawberries for breakfast. As both a dietitian and a homesteader-in-progress, I’ve learned that growing your own food isn’t just about what ends up on your plate—it’s about reclaiming your health, your confidence, and your connection to the earth.
For my clients, I often encourage gardening not as another “to-do” but as a form of mindful nourishment. Just as we learn to slow down when eating, gardening teaches us patience, presence, and gratitude. And no matter how small you start, the ripple effect is huge—better nutrition, lower grocery bills, and the joy of knowing exactly where your food comes from.
Step 1: Start Small (Really Small)
One of the biggest mistakes I see beginners make is trying to grow everything all at once. Instead, choose one or two crops you truly enjoy eating and that are easy to grow. Quick wins build confidence.
Herbs like basil, mint, and parsley grow easily indoors or outdoors.
Salad greens such as lettuce, spinach, or arugula germinate quickly and are harvest-ready in weeks.
Radishes are fun because they grow fast, and kids love pulling them out of the soil.
Helpful Items for Step 1
Seed-starting trays and labels
Step 2: Choose Your Growing Space
Whether you live in an apartment or on a few acres, you can grow food. The key is adapting to your space.
Apartment or small home: A sunny windowsill or balcony can host herbs, cherry tomatoes, and peppers in pots.
Suburban backyard: A raised bed or a few large containers can provide enough veggies for your household.
Homestead-in-progress: Starting with one or two 4x8 beds is manageable, and you can expand each season.
Remember, it’s better to have one thriving garden bed than five weedy, overwhelming ones.
Helpful Items for Step 2
Step 3: Focus on Soil and Sun
Healthy soil = healthy plants. Think of soil as the “gut microbiome” of your garden. Just like your digestive health depends on balanced bacteria and nutrients, plants thrive in fertile, living soil.
If you’re using pots, choose a high-quality organic potting mix.
For backyard soil, add compost to boost nutrients and improve texture.
Most veggies need 6–8 hours of sunlight daily. Track where the sun falls in your space before planting.
Helpful Items for Step 3
Organic potting mix
Mulch to retain moisture
Step 4: Learn as You Grow
Every garden season is a classroom. You’ll learn what thrives in your climate, how much to water, and how to outsmart pests. Don’t be discouraged by failures—every gardener has them. Think of it as feedback, not failure.
A simple way to track progress is to keep a garden journal. Note planting dates, varieties, and outcomes. Over time, you’ll spot patterns and refine your process.
Helpful Items for Step 4
Watering can or drip irrigation kit
Step 5: Celebrate and Expand
There’s nothing quite like your first harvest. When you taste that fresh tomato or leafy green, you’ll understand why gardeners can’t stop talking about it. Celebrate these wins!
From there, you can expand gradually:
Add another raised bed.
Try vertical gardening with trellises.
Explore fruit trees, berry bushes, or even a small chicken coop if your space allows.
Remember, the journey is just as nourishing as the food itself.
Helpful Items for Step 5
Trellis for cucumbers, beans, or tomatoes
Starter fruit trees (blueberries, dwarf citrus)
A Dietitian’s Final Word
Growing your own food isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Even if all you grow this year is one pot of herbs, you’ve started a journey toward food that’s fresher, healthier, and more meaningful.
I encourage you to take one step today—plant a seed, buy a pot, or pick up a packet of herbs. You don’t need acres of land to feel the pride of harvesting your own food.
Ready to Go Deeper?
If you loved this guide, I’ve got two next steps for you:
👉 Check out my book Balanced Belly Beverages where I share recipes, meal plans, and deeper gardening wisdom for nourishing your body from soil to plate.
👉 Schedule a 1:1 call with me to create your personalized plan for gardening and nutrition—so you can grow not just food, but health.
Your garden-to-table journey starts now. 🌱
