Watch the video

Last month we featured home gardening as a great way to work a variety of fruits and vegetables into your meal. Our "Do-It-Yourself Salads" featured much of the groundwork for starting your own garden and growing a variety of foods that fight cancer. Now it's time to start planting with this guide to seasonal produce in your area and step-by-step instructional video by our own registered dietitian.

Scientists believe that the combination of foods in a predominantly plant-based diet may protect against cancer. There is evidence that the minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals in plant foods could interact in ways that boost their individual anti-cancer effects. That's why AICR recommends that at least 2/3 of your plate should be filled with vegetables, fruit, whole grains and beans.

Here are a few of our favorites to plant now. For more specific growing times in your neck of the woods check out this helpful chart, organized by zones.

Source: University of Minnesota Extension

Download a full size PDF of this chart,
Adapted from Cornell Universtiy, 
Northeast Regional Food Guide.

What's Ready Now?

If you're not quite ready to start your own garden, but want fresh veggies now, check out our helpful chart (right) of what's in season. These items will be fresh at your local farmers' market and ready to add to your table today.

Foods that Fight Cancer: Container Gardening from AICR on Vimeo.

Additional Information:

• More Foods that Fight Cancer
• Never Too Late to Lower Your Risk
• Take the New American Plate Challenge

Foods that Fight Cancer: Container Gardening from AICR on Vimeo.