Les Vert Living System 

The Les Vert Living System is an indoor hydroponic growing system that allows people to grow their own food year-round. The Les Vert Living system inspired my project because I wanted to show how growing plants can be a part of everyday life, even indoors. I wanted to use this system to show that it is possible to use plants to support your mental and physical health all year round, even in cold winters. By using this in my project, I'm showing how a simple system can make a difference in your well-being. 

Microgreens 

Inside my Les Vert Living System, I grew Microgreens. Microgreens are packed with nutrients and are very good for you. They have vitamins C, E, and K, minerals like iron, zinc, and potassium, and antioxidants. Ways microgreens can benefit your physical health are that they provide immune support, reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve bone and eye health. Microgreens also support your mental health. Some nutrients in microgreens help the body produce mood-regulating chemicals that will contribute to your mental and physical health. Growing microgreens only took about 1-2 weeks; it's a fast and effective way that you can support your mental and physical health.

Why Growing your plants is better

Growing your own food has a lot of benefits for your health and mental health. Growing your own food is healthier. When you grow your own fruits, vegetables, or herbs, you know what you're putting into them. So you can ensure that there are no harmful chemicals. Also, freshly grown and picked foods have more nutrients compared to food that has been shipped to grocery stores and sitting there for days. Growing your own food is also really good for your mental health because being around plants has so many positive benefits. Growing your own food is also better for the environment, reducing packaging waste.

Process of the Les Vert Living System 

Ron Paul Garden Centre 

Since the beginning of March, I’ve been working at Ron Paul Garden Centre as part of my passion project, where I’ve been doing tasks like transplanting and caring for plants. Throughout this process, I’ve been paying closer attention to how working with plants affects me both mentally and physically. After each shift, I completed a simple checklist where I reflected on whether my mental and physical health felt better or worse compared to before I started. This helped me track patterns over time and become more aware of the impact this kind of work has on my well-being. 

Bibliography

Deering, Shelby. “Nature’s 9 Most Powerful Medicinal Plants and the Science behind Them.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 28 Feb. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/most-powerful-medicinal-plants. 

“11 Ways Plants Enhance Your Mental and Emotional Health.” Psychology Today, www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/cravings/201909/11-ways-plants-enhance-your-mental-and-emotional-health. 

Andersen, Liisa, et al. “Nature Exposure and Its Effects on Immune System Functioning: A Systematic Review.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 18, no. 4, 3 Feb. 2021, p. 1416, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041416. 

Arlene. “Why I Grow My Own Food - the Backyard Urban Farm Company.” The Backyard Urban Farm Company, 29 Feb. 2024, bufco.ca/why-i-grow-my-own-food/.

“The Big Nutritional Value of Microgreens.” Cleveland Clinic, 7 July 2023, health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-microgreens. 

Wimmer, Lisa. “Dig into the Benefits of Gardening.” Mayo Clinic Health System, Mayo Clinic Health System, 12 July 2022, www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/dig-into-the-benefits-of-gardening.