Welcome 2012 with open arms and plans for a food garden! Before you sigh and look away, trust me when I say it's well worth it and much easier than it sounds!

There are inexpensive, easy and innovative ways to grow foods no matter what shade of green your thumb is or how much space you have. And if you still find yourself in a pickle without a clue of what to do, just refer to some of the expert online advice and local resources outlined below.

WHERE THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A WAY!

An avid gardener once told me something that kept me from giving up after I repeatedly killed my container gardens. He said that all beginner gardeners with a passion to grow anything-- whether it's lettuce or lilies-- should know that it's okay to start off with a brown thumb because with some patience and practice, your thumb will eventually turn green. He told me that everyone starts off killing plants...you just don't hear these stories. So with some time, I have finally learned how to grow container lettuce and herbs without killing them...and you can, too!

WHY GROW (AT LEAST SOME OF) YOUR OWN FOOD?

• Save money: Organic produce is often either not available or more costly compared to their traditional counterparts.
  
  
• Avoid harmful toxins found in traditionally grown foods: Every day, 1 million American children age 5 and under consume unsafe levels of a class of pesticides that can harm the developing brain and nervous system. The benefits of eating organic vegies and produce are numerous, even for adults. And it's especially important to choose organic for the foods listed at the top of this list.
  
  
• Decrease your carbon footprint: The average American meal travels approximately 1500 miles before it reaches your plate. So a typical day of three meal will cost our environment 4500 miles of fossil fuel emissions per person!
  
  
• Easier access to healthier foods: Some communities have to travel over 10 miles to gain access to fresh foods. A man living in one of these "forgotten" communities, Nicholas Cortez, should be an inspiration to all of us.
  

HOW TO GET STARTED:

• The worldwide web offers unlimited access to resources on food gardens. After my search today, I would recommend starting off with this article from Treehugger, 6 Steps for Planning New Year's Garden.
  
  
• Online blogs are also very useful, especially because you can interact with the knowledgeable (often expert) blogger. Apartment dwellers and small-space gardeners can greatly benefit from Fern Richardson's blog Life on the Balcony, Urban Gardens and You Grow Girl (which includes all-things-gardening, including food).
  
  
• Meet-up groups, online community forums like Kitchen Gardeners and informal educational centers like the Los Angeles-adjacent The Growing Home and Learning Center offer a great resource for hands-on learning, no matter what your needs (The Growing Home even hosts bi-monthly potlucks and lectures!)
  
  
• If you feel like you have good gardening space but need a hand, you can use the above-mentioned meet-up groups and informal educational centers (or online groups) to gather some volunteer help. Check out this residential community food garden in Central California, which also boasts a great business idea for avid gardeners.
  

SHARE!

If you have any food gardening tips, please share them with us on Facebook! Happy 2012 everyone...happy garden planning!

*shopping cart garden photo: http://www.urbangardensweb.com/