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Growing A Rainbow In The Garden For Health And Happiness

Driving through the deserted streets of my neighborhood the other day, I noticed pictures of colorful rainbows hanging in the windows of many homes. As people around the world self-isolate, the rainbow is emerging as a symbol of hope. 

The idea is to spread some joy amid the coronavirus outbreak; let others know that we are all in this together. In so many different languages, the message is clear: everything will be alright

My kids have painted their rainbows and living in the French province of Quebec, their message reads “ça va bien aller.”  

I have to admit, looking at their beautiful pictures does lift my spirits. We will get past this. We just need to sit tight and ride this thing out.

Eat A Rainbow

The rainbow pictures got me to thinking about the saying “eat a rainbow” and how important it is to eat a variety of colors every day. 

From red, orange, and yellow to green, blue, and purple, each hue offers different minerals and vitamins that the other one does not. 

Long story short, for your health, make your meals colorful! 

Grow A Rainbow

With the kids home from school indefinitely and gardening being an educational and healthy way to spend time together, why not try growing a rainbow?

This project can be as big or as small as you want it to be; the fruits and vegetables can be planted in the ground, raised beds, or in pots. 

Plant by color and label each section accordingly with the crop’s corresponding color. If you choose, you can also try this growing experiment with flowers only, making for a very colorful display! 

If you decide to go with edible crops, here are some ideas for you: 

 

Red fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants that help fight heart disease and some forms of cancer. Examples include: 

  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Tomatoes
  • Beets
  • Red peppers

Orange food crops help boost immunity while supporting eye health, healthy bones and joints, and may even help prevent diabetes. Examples include:

  • Carrots
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Butternut squash
  • Dad’s Sunset tomatoes
  • Pumpkins

Yellow fruits and veggies are an excellent source of vitamins and antioxidants that help maintain healthy skin and may even fight cancer. Examples include:

  • Corn
  • Yellow peppers
  • Lemons
  • Yellow wax beans
  • Yellow potatoes

 

Green foods are loaded with vitamins A and C, potassium, fiber, phytochemicals, and folate. Examples include:

  • Kale
  • Spinach and lettuce
  • Broccoli
  • Bush beans
  • Sugar snap peas 

Blue fruits have a high antioxidant count and help heart health, reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers. Example include:

  • Blueberries
  • Blackberries
  • Blue tomatoes
  • Blue potatoes
  • Concord grapes

Purple food crops are all the rage these days; be sure to look for a blog post next week putting purple power in the spotlight! They boost immunity and prevent many chronic illnesses. Example include:

  • Purple cabbage
  • Kohlrabi
  • Eggplant
  • Turnips 
  • Purple cauliflower 

Have fun, and remember, ça va bien aller!-

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Author

Catherine Sherriffs

Editor at Garden Culture Magazine

Catherine is a Canadian award-winning journalist who worked as a reporter and news anchor in Montreal’s radio and television scene for 10 years. A graduate of Concordia University, she left the hustle and bustle of the business after starting a family. Now, she’s the editor and a writer for Garden Culture Magazine while also enjoying being a mom to her three young kids. Her interests include great food, gardening, fitness, animals, and anything outdoors.