6 Healthiest Vegetables to Plant in Your Garden

Growing your own food is a rewarding way to ensure your nutritional security

Some plants are particularly easy to grow and especially healthy to eat. Shutterstock

Western culture is now almost completely removed from the process of food production, yet research studies point to the value of raising nutritious, organic foods for ourselves, even in small urban settings.

Garden therapy, or spending time planting, watering, digging, and pruning, is linked with cognitive and mental health improvements. Learning to grow your own vegetables is also rewarding and fun. If you'd like to experience these benefits or are looking for a new, therapeutic hobby, here are six of the healthiest vegetables that even a new gardener can grow in containers on a porch or in a backyard garden.

1. Kale

Kale, a member of the cabbage family, is a well-known superfood that has received a lot of attention from researchers and health publications in recent years. Kale’s nutritional lineup includes vitamins A, K, and C,  and essential minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Kale is also a rich source of dietary fiber, which acts like a prebiotic and increases nutrient absorption in the gut.