The advantage of eating vine-ripened fruit and vegetables is that they are the most nutritious. The vast majority of nutrients enter the fruits and vegetables as they ripen while attached to their root system. There are several options for getting local produce: local summer markets and growing some of our own.
Farmer’s Markets are in full swing and have many beautiful, healthy choices. Naperville has their Farmer’s Market at Fifth Avenue Station, near the downtown Naperville train station, 7AM – Noon, Saturdays, June through Oct. 7.
For some of us, we like to grow some of our own, and we can’t get more local than that. There are several ways to do this.
Windowsill herb garden: Choose your three or four favorites herbs and find three small pots to plant the seeds. Keep the soil moist and give the plants 4-6 hours of sun. Good choices are dill, cilantro, parsley, or basil.
Aeroponic gardening: Have you ever been to Epcot and seen their huge hydroponic/aeroponic gardens? The Tower Garden is a simple way to grow a bounty of fresh produce (20-24 plants) including leafy greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, flowers and berries on our own patio or deck. (Visit my website for Tower Garden information.)
Produce in traditional containers: Rich soil and organic fertilizer is the key to the most nutritious vegetables and fruit in containers. Choose a container large enough to handle the type of plant.
Whether you grow your own, or shop the local markets, try to increase the number of servings of fresh fruits and vegetables eaten each day. Happy Summer!
