Food is one of the biggest expenses we have. Saving money by growing your own food is not only possible, it’s really fulfilling! Don’t believe me? Just try not to take photos of the baby tomatoes you grew to share on Instagram. 🙂 Plus find out the best vegetables to grow to save money!
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The Life-Changing Magic of Saving Money by Growing Your Own Food
Growing your own herbs, fruits and vegetables not only will help with your budget but also provide you with a beautiful interest and hobby that will keep you fit and connect you with nature.
How many times have we got to the end of the week and find that fresh produce we bought is ready for the compost heap?
By growing your own, you harvest what you need to cook and prepare. Now, that is fresh.
I love making pesto with fresh basil from our backyard, frying sage from the garden to top a plate of buttery ravioli, and making a salad with greens and tomatoes and cucumbers that were grown just feet away. We make these lavender scones with fresh lavender from our backyard garden.
I also love involving my daughter in the growing, the picking, and the eating.
You can even make your own homemade food gifts from your garden – here are 5 easy DIY ideas to try!
Most Cost Effective Vegetables to Grow
Some of the most cost effective vegetables to grow (as well as fruits) are perennials.
Plant them once and gain the fruits and veg of your labor for many years to come.
For example, did you know that asparagus plants can live up to 40 years!? That’s a great rate of return on your investment of asparagus seeds!
We’ll go into more details below of the best vegetables to grow to save money, but for now keep perennials in mind!
And check out this post for 14 secret tips to garden on a budget.
Best Tips for Saving Money by Growing Your Own Food
1. Start small
Consider your available garden plot and start off with a small garden area that is manageable.
2. Plant at the best time for maximum yield
Begin your gardening venture with easy-to-grow herbs, fruits, and vegetables that do not require a lot of work or specific growing conditions. Be mindful of the time you have available to tend to your garden, and remember to plant in the season.
3. Knowing what to plant is essential to saving money by growing your own food
Having a successful crop is the key to keep you interested and involved in your garden. Visit your nursery and garden centers and get information and knowledge of what herbs, fruits, and vegetables are to be planted in your area and that time of the year
4. Figure out what produce you typically eat/buy the most
Make a list of vegetables you can grow easily that you like to eat, herbs that you use in your cooking recipes, and fruits that interest you. This is key to find YOUR best vegetables to grow to save money (and fruits too).
5. Leafy greens
Select seedlings that are ready for planting as this will save you time establishing your garden and producing edible crops sooner. Greens such as silverbeet, chicory, endives, and lettuce are good leafy vegetables and do not demand a lot of work to keep producing.
6. Grow potatoes
If you have tasted your own homegrown potatoes, you would know what a fresh potato tastes like. If you have the room in your garden, try some as they are simple and grow effortless. They will even grow in a large tub.
7. Green vegetables that are easy to grow
Broadbeans, green string beans, and peas are wonderful croppers, and excess produce can be packed away in the freezer. Broccolini is easy to grow and can be cooked up as a warm salad or added to stir frys.
8. Pick big growers
Summer fruit and vegetables are such a delight to have available in your own backyard. Tomatoes, zucchinis, capsicums, strawberries, and cucumbers are all available and easy to grow. Cherry tomatoes are a prolific producer and very hardy plant as well as sweet and tasty.
9. Herbs to plant to save money by growing food
Mint, basil, coriander, rosemary, sage are herbs that look great in any garden and are effortless to grow. If you use these in your cooking, plant them in your garden or in pots and have them ready on hand to use.
Some herbs can be used to make your own tea, such as mint or sage tea. Fresh herbs from your garden are full of flavor, and you will find that they have a far superior aroma than the supermarket produce.
10. Fruit trees
There are many varieties of fruit trees, and many are now available for compact gardens. Spend some time looking at what is available in your nursery. Take a walk in your neighborhood and see what grows well. Then select a fruit tree that you like.
Best Vegetables to Grow to Save Money
Keeping in mind your personal preferences, what vegetables you eat the most of, what grows well in your climate and soil, here are some perennial vegetables to consider growing to save money on groceries:
- Asparagus
- Rhubarb
- Artichokes
- Spinach
- Kale
- Garlic
- Onion
Find out gardening tips for these perennial vegetables: grow these vegetables to save money on your garden.
As for the best fruit to grow to save money, here are some perennial fruits that will give you yummy backyard edibles for years to come:
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Apple trees
- Pear trees
- Cherry trees
Final Thoughts on Gardening to Save Money
Gardening information is readily available, and community gardens are gaining popularity. Read up on what you can about gardening and about the plants you like. Learn about soils, composting, and companion planting and keep your plants healthy without pesticides.
Check out my posts on 5 smart tips for landscaping on a budget to make sure you’re saving the most money on your garden.
Garden-grown produce is full of flavor and freshness, and growing your own is extremely satisfying. If you consider and compare the prices of organic produce, you will be well ahead of your budget. Also, the time and cost to drive to the nearest shop can be a considerable advantage if you have something you can use from your garden.
There is nothing like taking a walk into your garden rather than rushing off to the supermarket or greengrocer and harvesting your evening meal or salad or picking some sweet aromatic herb for that final touch. You have done it yourself. So go on and share those gorgeous tomato plant pics on Instagram. 🙂 And you will be saving money by growing your own food too.
Check out these 5 fun vegetable garden hacks to save you money (I love #3!!)
P.S. Did you know you can make money gardening? Here are 9 simple ways to make $1000/month from your garden.
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