On the journey to good health, a nutrition-packed edible landscape will sustain you all the way. Delicious vegetables, berries, and herbs are just a few payoffs of planting your own garden — and you don’t need acres of land to get the job done. Even a pocket-sized patch of soil or containers can produce a worthwhile harvest.

Cultivate good nutrition and a healthy sense of accomplishment by growing your own:

• Locate your garden where it will get at least 6 hours of sun each day

• Try lettuce, carrots, radishes, and tomatoes as great beginner crops; choose varieties that do well in small spaces

• Create rich soil for your garden by composting; reduce your garbage output by adding table scraps and yard waste to your compost pile

• Involve the whole family in the growing journey, from planting to weeding and tending your garden — it’s a great way for everyone to experience the joys of working hard for future rewards.

For more information on container gardening, visit the University of Maryland Extension website.