Considering the environmental and financial toll of purchasing produce, it's appropriate that more Americans are deciding to grow their own gardens. This year 40 million Americans will decide to grow one on their own, many of which will be organic. The financial benefits are clear: studies show that the average return on investment for a garden is 25 to 1, so spending $50 on your garden will earn you $1,250 in produce!

Although the current economy may be a driving force, people are realizing that the benefits of a home garden go beyond the wallet. Did you know eating locally allows you to minimize the number of food miles your purchases travel? It is estimated that most produce sold in the US travels 1500 miles before reaching your table. A backyard garden brings a whole new meaning to buying local. It allows you to harvest fresh, healthy food (even healthier if you go organic) for you and your family just minutes before mealtime. Starting a garden doesn't have to be intimidating: Here are 5 easy steps to growing your own produce.

Start a Container Garden

Containers allow you to easily grow plants in inconvenient places. Simple, fruitful, and fun: what's not to like about container gardening? Containers can go inside or outside and are relatively low maintenance. Read more here about the basics of container gardening.

Match Your Garden to Your Climate

What you plant in your garden has a lot more to do with the climate you live in than you may think. Choosing which vegetables and fruits to plant should be based not just on your preference, but also on what grows well in your climate. Click here for more about which vegetables to choose based on their traits and your climate.

Lengthen Your Garden Season

It's always discouraging to plant a garden that disappears after one short month of enjoyment. The main culprit of this short season is frost. Where you live, and the types of plants you buy determine the lengths of your gardening season, but there are ways to fight the frost such as Cold Framing and Frost Guarding. Read more here about the techniques to prevent frost from taking over your garden too soon.

Start an Indoor Herb Garden

If you find yourself spending a lot of your free time in the kitchen after work, why not combine cooking with growing a garden? A simple herb box in your kitchen can provide you with basic cooking needs such as basil, dill, garlic, mint, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

Get Everyone Involved

Whether you have a large family or it's just you, set goals and have fun! Setting aside a part of your outdoor garden for the kids will help teach them about environmental responsibility and allow them to see the fruits of their labor. Home gardening shouldn't feel overwhelming: be creative and don't overload yourself. A garden creates a sense of responsibility, pride and enjoyment in the delicious results!