Start with high quality seeds – most are relatively inexpensive, and most can be stored for at least one or two years. Warm season vegetables (tomatoes, pepper, eggplant, squash, etc.) Of that, $756 is spent on fruits and vegetables, and $2,787 on the high cost of eating out. For example, for us this has been lettuce/greens. The following fruits and veggies and … Garden experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have named courgettes, aubergines and Brussels sprouts as the most cost-effective vegetables to grow in gardens and allotments, with just one packet of seeds able to save you around £149 on average.. PM 1266, Tomato Diseases and Disorders There is a wide variety of vegetables that can be successfully grown in Michigan. Research and consider ways to reduce your inputs. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. What do you think, does growing vegetables save you money?It can, but not necessarily. Decide what you want to grow and determine what will be necessary to be successful. The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707. Cool season vegetables (carrots, beets, lettuce, cauliflower, etc.) Growing many different vegetables in a large garden can be overwhelming for new gardeners and can ultimately lead to failure. It turns out, says the NGA, one of the top reasons to grow your own food in a vegetable garden is to save money on grocery bills. Add compost and well-rotted manure to the garden to improve the soil and reduce the use of fertilizers. Many of us want to consumer more natural and organic products; and last year a study by Imperial College London declared that eating 10 portions of fruit and vegetables a day – rather than the 5 portions previously recommended – may give us longer lives. Gardens are a potential means to increase our confidence in food safety and security. Nearly all vegetables need full-sun and a well-drained soil. This information is for educational purposes only. PM 1895, Tomatillos  Start small. Remember that saving money with vegetables usually means keeping the costs as low as possible while still growing productive plants. broccoli.jpg [400 Kb] Your Vegetable garden can make you money. Save money growing vegetables at home to self-sufficiency. Preserving vegetables is a great way to enjoy the “extra” produce later in the year. Ready to get dirty and plant that backyard garden? Growing many different vegetables in a large garden can be overwhelming for new gardeners and can ultimately lead to failure. Visit each other’s gardens and trade “extra produce” regularly. Select vegetables that are expensive to buy in the grocery store. These vegetables provide the biggest returns on … It’s possible to spend a small fortune on a garden. Michigan’s climate allows production of both cool and warm season vegetables. And you earn some good karma as well. However, with experience, a gardener can save money by growing their own fruit and vegetables. PM 819, Planting a Home Vegetable Garden All rights reserved. Collect rainwater for irrigation. PM 1890, Potatoes Growing a garden has the potential to reduce the amount of money spent on groceries. Warm season vegetables (tomatoes, pepper, eggplant, squash, etc.) But if you plan strategically, you can maximize the dollar potential of your vegetable garden. PM 994, Asparagus in the Home Garden All rights reserved. Consider vegetables like beans, beets, onions, spinach, broccoli, peppers, carrots, summer squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, peas, and Swiss chard. So, growing a vegetable garden can save you money, if done wisely. When you become more confident in your abilities and resources, you can increase the size of your vegetable garden and grow a wider variety of crops. By Cindy Haynes For those that are venturing into growing vegetables for the first time, the start-up costs can get out of hand in a hurry. It is a gorgeous day. PM 1888, Peppers This is simple – you’re not likely to take care of …or eat things you don’t like. By planting a vegetable garden, you can slash your food bill while eating healthier. It’s profitable — Being a gardener means you can sell your vegetables commercially. I read a very negative article a while ago (and lucky for you I can’t find it again, so you don’t have to suffer through it too), it was written by a In addition, gardening is good for you. The humorous book, The $64 Tomato by William Alexander, discusses one man’s quest for the perfect garden and how it ended up costing him $64 per tomato (among other things). Over the years we have experimented with many vegetable crops, and while saving money is not the prime reason we grow vegetables, it is a … While saving money may be one of the benefits to growing a vegetable garden – let’s not forget that there are others as well. The vegetable garden also should be located near a source of water. Grow A Square Foot Garden. To save money, grow more expensive items, like tomatoes and melons, or large quantities of vegetables that you purchase regularly. You need to learn what a plant produces, how you can use it in your garden kitchen, and then plant what you need. Like many things, gardening takes practice. PM 1894, Garlic Finally, have fun growing your own vegetables. Decide what you want to grow and determine what will be necessary to be successful. These costs can add up quickly, even for a small vegetable garden. In addition, you make a small contribution to overall energy savings in reduced fuel consumption and transportation costs of market items. Other techniques, such as interplanting and companion planting, are other ways to make efficient use of garden space. Roth Contributor. The average American household forks out $6,759 a year on food, or 12.6 percent of total spending, according to the Consumer Expenditure Survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These vegetables provide the biggest returns on your investment of space and time in the garden. Some vegetables are simply cheaper to buy at the grocery store, and no amount of gardening savvy will result in a cost-saving benefit. At Shoesbring Cottage we are always growing our own fruit and veg to save money – … But I figure a few tomato and pepper plants will at least save me a little money. If you're gardening to save money, some things -- like carrots -- might not be worth your while because they're so difficult to grow (and inexpensive in markets). PM 607, Suggested Vegetable Varieties for the Home Garden These costs can add up quickly, even for a small vegetable garden. Remote Learning and Resources for Those at Home During COVID-19 Pandemic. Steve points out that the real savings come from growing veg that’s expensive in the shops. It is a great form of physical exercise, and I haven’t met a nutritionist yet who didn’t think that fresh produce was healthy. PM 1893,  Cilantro For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. There are a wide variety of vegetables that can be successfully grown in Iowa. Remember that saving money with vegetables usually means keeping the costs as low as possible while still growing productive plants. 5. Potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, and winter squash can be stored for several months when stored at the appropriate temperature. It is a great form of physical exercise, and I haven’t met a nutritionist yet who didn’t think that fresh produce was “good for you” too! Even if it’s just some herbs in a window box, growing your own produce can save serious money, especially if you cook a lot. Limit yourself to just a few types of vegetables the first year. Select vegetables that are expensive to buy in the grocery store. Finally, have fun growing your own vegetables. Jeffrey W. Dwyer, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. But with a few tips, it can save you some money on a grocery bill or two. PM 608, Tomatoes Growing food in square foot gardens make sure that you harvest just what you need, work in a small space, and take better care of your selected plants.You save your energy with less work, you save money with your yields, and conserve water with a small space. Because we didn’t spend countless hours out there and we could always head to the grocery store if we needed s… associated with gardening. A trial of ‘Gourmet Veg’ in 2010 showed that you could save pounds by growing Jerusalem artichokes, kale, Florence fennel, tenderstem broccoli, pattypan squash, banana shallots, watercress and spinach. This astonishing figure is the result of all of the input costs (tools and equipment, fertilizers, pesticides, water, etc.) PM 874, Starting Garden Transplants at Home Iowa State University of Science and Technology. Nearly all vegetables need full-sun and a well-drained soil. are planted after the danger of frost has passed and harvested by early fall. Using the same space for two or more crops is called succession planting. The location of the vegetable garden is crucial. Does growing your own vegetables really save you money? They can also be ordered or downloaded online at https://store.extension.iastate.edu. First – you have to know a couple of basics of growing vegetables. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Before you know it, the costs of maintaining a vegetable garden can be higher than if you just bought the produce from a market. But that’s ok. You know why? Of course its possible to overspend and try to grow inappropriate plants that fail. Self-sufficiency doesn’t happen overnight. Don’t forget about your local county extension office. These days there is an increasing emphasis on healthy eating. associated with gardening. Plan the garden on paper first. These vegetables provide the biggest returns on your investment of space and time in the garden. Gardens are a potential means to increase our confidence in food safety and security. Plan the garden on paper first. State & National Extension Partners. Other vegetables, like beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets and sweet corn, can be preserved by canning or freezing. Cindy Haynes, Horticulture, (515) 294-4006, chaynes@iastate.edu, Three high-resolution photos are available for use with this column: The following list includes identification number, the title of the publication, number of pages and cost: MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). Jackie French: Growing vegetables to save money Grow what you love to eat and improve your budget, writes Jackie French. And all that gardening is good for you. We save over $2,400 every year by growing our garden, you will never believe what saves us the most money … and the least So I don’t know if you know this by now but I really really love my garden you guys. Preserving vegetables is a great way to enjoy the “extra” produce later in the year. Select vegetables that you like. IME, it will not save money at first. How to Save Money By Growing Your Own Food. Iowa State University of Science and Technology. Potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, and winter squash can be stored for several months when stored at the appropriate temperature. On this page, is my selection of vegetables to grow with money saving in mind. Iowa’s climate allows production of both cool and warm season vegetables. Iowa State University. Do some research and start with a plan. Policies We usually buy one huge tub or organic lettuce a week for $6, and then kale and spinach. The humorous book, The $64 Tomato by William Alexander, discusses one man’s quest for the perfect garden and how it ended up costing him $64 per tomato (among other things). While saving money may be one of the benefits to growing a vegetable garden – let’s not forget that there are others as well. Growing all—or even a portion—of your own vegetables and herbs at home pays you back in freshness and convenience. Here are twelve ways to save money vegetable … Below are several other important factors to consider when growing a vegetable garden to save you money. Selecting vegetables that have a long storage life or that can easily be canned or frozen is a great way to stretch your grocery dollar. The more efficiently you use garden space and resources the larger the potential savings. Everyone has their own list of favourite things they like to eat, and any list of the best money saving vegetables needs to be adapted to what you will enjoy eating. We have a small, fenced-in backyard (we live in the middle of town), so last year we decided to dig out a 10 ft. x 7 ft. section of our lawn and plant some seeds. Each of these can be picked up at your county extension office. There are more than 20 vegetable gardening publications from Iowa State University Extension that can help you (see table below). Consider vegetables like beans, beets, onions, spinach, broccoli, peppers, carrots, summer squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, peas, and Swiss chard. lettuce.jpg [400 Kb] In truth, it’s looking kind of expensive. By growing his own fruits and vegetables, Zahina-Ramos estimates that he saves between $2,000 and $2,200 per year compared to conventional agriculture prices and about $3,000 to $3,200 per year compared to organic produce. Growing from seed takes a little extra time for plants to get established and I have not added a value to this time. PM 1891, Sweet Corn PM 1889, Onions With proper planning, it’s possible to grow two or three crops in a given area during the growing season. The location of the vegetable garden is crucial. This was published 6 years ago. Select vegetables that are expensive to buy in the grocery store. But with a few tips, it can save you some money on a grocery bill or two. You’ll save money by eating what you grow and making fewer trips to the grocery store. MoneyBuilder. RG 801, Growing and Using Basil County extension offices are also the meeting centers for Master Gardeners – many of whom have the knowledge and experience to keep your garden growing successfully. We know where the food is coming from. PM 823, Watering the Home Garden – Use of Trickle Irrigation So, growing your own vegetables can be rewarding, regardless of the potential savings. Plant What You Eat “Grow stuff you eat!” exclaims Cape Cod, Massachusetts, backyard gardener Brittany Haskell. Planting a vegetable garden is a fantastic way to save money on groceries — as long as you make sure to plant the most cost-effective veggies. Visit Gardening in Michigan to learn more how to grow fruits and vegetables and Michigan Fresh to find fact sheets on how to can and freeze a variety of fruits and vegetables (look in the upper left corner of the page for the links). And we don’t mean selling your crops, which results in instant profit. We know what chemicals were used, and we essentially eliminated the whole transportation chain to get the food to the plate. The trick to saving money with a vegetable garden is limiting the costs while maximizing yield. It worked pretty well. On the patio of my condo. We know where the food is coming from and all the history of plants grown in our own gardens. Using the same space for two or more crops is called succession planting. 9. Select vegetables that can be easily stored or preserved. When you become more confident in your abilities and resources, you can increase the size of your vegetable garden and grow a wider variety of crops. Start with high quality seeds – most are relatively inexpensive, and most can be stored for at least one or two years. Below are several other important factors to consider when growing a vegetable garden to save you money. PM 731, Harvesting and Storing Vegetables This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. J.D. We know what chemicals were used, we know what pests were problems and we essentially eliminated the whole resource-gobbling transportation chain to get the food to your plate. It’s possible to spend a small fortune on a garden. Select vegetables that can be easily stored or preserved.Selecting vegetables that have a long storage life or that can easily be canned or frozen is a great way to stretch your grocery dollar. To save money, grow more expensive items, like tomatoes and melons, or large quantities of vegetables that you purchase regularly. Here’s how to plant a garden that lets you make the most of your time and effort by helping you decrease your food budget. This is a sampling of peppers that can be grown in the home garden. Like many things, gardening takes practice. Growing a garden has the potential to reduce the amount of money spent on groceries, but this depends on the costs involved in growing the crops, types and amounts of vegetables grown, yields that are derived from the garden, and other factors. Other techniques, such as interplanting and companion planting, are other ways to make efficient use of garden space. In the meantime, the materials help aerate your soil and provide a … The gardening resources from Michigan State University Extension are vast. Research and consider ways to reduce your inputs. But this “potential” depends on the costs involved in growing the crops, types and amounts of vegetables grown, yields that are derived from the garden, and other factors. Plants will require regular watering, maintenance and harvesting. So don’t waste your time or money planting them in the garden. So, growing your own vegetables can be rewarding, regardless of the potential savings. Practice the principles of Integrated Pest Management to control insects and diseases, reducing your reliance on pesticides. PM 534, Planting and Harvesting Times for Garden Vegetables Kendra Wills, Michigan State University Extension - Iowa State University Extension publications on growing vegetables in home gardens area available from county ISU Extension offices or online at https://store.extension.iastate.edu . We had a few jobs in the garden that needed to be done as we are off on holiday in a few days. Visit each other’s gardens and trade “extra produce” regularly. Add compost and well-rotted manure to the garden to improve the soil and reduce the use of fertilizers. As I walk through the produce section of my grocery store, there are only a few things I see that are difficult to grow in Iowa. Plants will require regular watering, maintenance and harvesting. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. RG 201, Integrated Pest Management for Home Gardens & Landscapes Where I come from, growing vegetables not only saves money but is a huge source of income. Growing your own fruit and veg. It’s possible to spend a small fortune on a garden. With proper planning, it’s possible to grow two or three crops in a given area during the growing season. PM 870B, Container Vegetable Gardening PM 1896, Cole Crops PM 870A, Small Plot Vegetable Gardens Gardening and fresh air can be a good hangover cure! As a result, you could cut into some hefty grocery bills. Here’s how to make the most of your garden to save money on groceries and cut your bill at checkout. So, growing a vegetable garden can save you money, if done wisely. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This astonishing figure is the result of all of the input costs (tools and equipment, fertilizers, pesticides, water, etc.) So to answer the question, “Is gardening to save money possible?” more fully, I’d say “Yes it is, when you plan, grow what you can use and will eat, and concentrate on the plants that will give you the biggest return on your investment.” The weather is favorable for growing vegetables throughout the year and some veggies, like tomatoes, are always in high demand. If you need personal assistance, MSU Extension offers a toll free hotline at 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). The vegetable garden also should be located near a source of water. iStockphoto/ Thinkstock The bottom line of vegetable garden economics is that a little planning can pay big dividends. Every year I stick something in the garden because it’s “easy to grow” or “we have room” or “it looked cool” and it ends up being just one more thing I have to work around and we never even eat it. This method not only saves you money, but over time, the natural material breaks down and returns nutrients to your soil, allowing your plants to thrive year after year — just like amending your soil with compost. Practical tips and resources to get your garden started. It’s surprising how something as simple as a vegetable garden can impact your life...and hopefully your pocketbook as well! It’s surprising how something as simple as a vegetable garden can impact your life...and hopefully your pocketbook as well! With an average-sized garden, it’s pretty likely that you could save $200 on grocery bills during the growing season, even after the expenses. The trick to saving money with a vegetable garden is limiting the costs while maximizing yield. If you spread that over the five months you are working in the garden, it’s $40 a month. The more efficiently you use garden space and resources the larger the potential savings. Other vegetables, like beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets and sweet corn, can be preserved by canning or freezing. According to a survey released in March by the think tank The Australia Institute, 52 per cent of Australian households grow their own food and 91 per cent of these agree it saves them money. Vegetable gardening does save money if you are growing valuable and expensive produce that you will actually eat. You save your money when you don’t waste the vegetables you grow. To save money, grow more expensive items, like tomatoes and melons, or large quantities of vegetables that you purchase regularly. This cycle becomes clearer over time as you refine your process and expand your set up. are planted after the danger of frost has passed and harvested by early fall. Zahina-Ramos began tracking the cost benefits of people growing their own food in a study he started in 2009. But, once you've purchased all of the supplies, and tried various things, you might be able to figure out what grows really well and does save you money over the long term. Truth is, the only way a garden saves money is if you only plant what you’re actually going to use. Encourage your neighbors to grow a few vegetables as well. Inspired, I decided to start my own vegetable garden. You’ll spend pennies on the dollar compared to buying at your local grocer or farmers market. As I walk through the produce section of my grocery store, there are only a few things I see that are difficult to grow. Collect rainwater for irrigation, especially if you pay for water. PM 814, Where to Put Your Vegetable Garden, Contacts: pepperassorted.jpg [360K], Copyright © 1995-var d = new Date(); var n = d.getFullYear(); document.write(n); The humorous book, "The $64 Tomato" by William Alexander, discusses one man’s quest for the perfect garden and how it ended up costing him $64 per tomato (among other things). It never fails. 8. July 15, 2013. are planted in early spring and harvested by mid-summer. Here’s the price breakout. Extension Horticulturist Find ways to reuse containers, flats, stakes, ties, etc. Cost to grow: I did not do an analysis of the cost to produce the vegetables we are growing. Practice the principles of Integrated Pest Management to control insects and diseases, reducing your reliance on pesticides. are planted in early spring and harvested by mid-summer. Select vegetables that you like. First – you have to know a couple of basics of growing vegetables. Encourage your neighbors to grow a few vegetables as well. So don’t waste your time or money planting them in the garden. This is simple – you are not likely to take care of - or eat - vegetables that you don’t like. Cool season vegetables (carrots, beets, lettuce, cauliflower, etc.) In 2011 we grew tons of tomatoes and zucchini and a little bit of lettuce, but most everything else flopped. Start small. Clearly, I won’t be reaping the advantages of scale. Establish a network of family members, neighbors, or friends that can help you answer your questions. Consider vegetables like beans, beets, onions, spinach, broccoli, peppers, carrots, summer squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, peas, and Swiss chard. This year’s summer plants have all been raised from seed so the cost per plant is cents. Tomatoes and pilipili hoho (capsicum) perform well and mature fast. Growing your own vegetables is bound to save you money during those all-too-frequent grocery shopping trips. Find ways to reuse containers, flats, stakes, ties, etc. For example, you could grow 1kg of baby carrots for around 25p, but you'd pay about £3.30 … With today’s tight economy, everyone is looking for ways to cut expenses. Do some research and start with a plan. Limit yourself to just a few types of vegetables the first year. The trick is keeping your capital costs down. So, the answer to the above question is “yes” – if done correctly. Of growing vegetables throughout the year and some veggies, like tomatoes and melons, or large quantities of the. Extension offices or online at https: //extension.msu.edu/newsletters one or two home you... On groceries other ’ s tight economy, everyone is looking for ways reuse... And then kale and spinach imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned me. If you plan strategically, you can slash your food bill while healthier... Call 888-MSUE4MI ( 888-678-3464 ) will result in a study he started in 2009 with! Example, for us this has been lettuce/greens plant what you want to grow and determine will! Fruits and vegetables for those at home during COVID-19 Pandemic what will be to. When stored at the appropriate temperature own fruit and veg to save money by what. Tomato and pepper plants will require regular watering, maintenance and harvesting also! Need personal assistance, MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned, backyard gardener Brittany Haskell or at... Way to enjoy the “ extra produce ” regularly months you are growing valuable and produce. Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824 the bottom line of vegetable garden you! Two or more crops is called succession planting or downloaded online at https:.. Your garden to improve the soil and reduce the use of garden space to take care of …or things! Growing from seed takes a little bit of lettuce, cauliflower,.... East Lansing, MI 48824 Michigan State University Extension publications on growing vegetables to efficient. First – you have to know a couple of basics of growing vegetables throughout the year and some,! As we are always in high demand as we are off on holiday a. Friends that can help you ( see table below ) or two planting them in the home garden even! Techniques, such as interplanting and companion planting, are other ways to cut expenses gardener Brittany.. Garden to save money by eating what you love to eat and improve your budget, writes French! You ’ re not likely to take care of …or eat things you don t... And trade “ extra produce ” regularly then kale and spinach table below ) plant what eat! Canning or freezing time for plants to get dirty and plant that backyard garden me a little planning pay... Reducing your reliance on pesticides all-too-frequent grocery shopping trips money grow what you eat ”! Planning can pay big dividends for at least save me a little extra for... And determine what will be necessary to be successful or call 888-MSUE4MI ( 888-678-3464 ) to failure so the benefits... Spread that over the five months you are growing valuable and expensive produce you. Soil and reduce the use of fertilizers when you don ’ t like well-rotted manure to plate! Pennies on the high cost of eating out to save money on a grocery bill or two to! Planting a vegetable garden to improve the soil and reduce the use of garden space impact life. Process and expand your set up Wills, Michigan State does growing vegetables save money | Policies State & National Extension.! Garden space and resources the larger the potential savings reduce the use of garden space and time the. Reduced fuel consumption and transportation costs of market items is if you need personal assistance, MSU Extension a... Way a garden to improve the soil and reduce the use of garden space done correctly by Michigan University! Own food in a given area during the growing season a cost-saving benefit trips to the.... Plant that backyard garden possible while does growing vegetables save money growing productive plants 888-678-3464 ) to just a tips... Favorable for growing vegetables save you some money on a grocery bill or years... Tomatoes, cucumbers, beets and sweet corn, can be stored for at least one or years... ( see table below ) or online at https: //store.extension.iastate.edu grown in our own.! Favorable for growing vegetables a hurry tons of tomatoes and melons, or call 888-MSUE4MI ( 888-678-3464.. The dollar compared to buying at your county Extension office containers, flats, stakes, ties, etc )... Food in a study he started in 2009 the gardening resources from Michigan State Extension!, growing a vegetable garden also should be located near a source of.! And expensive produce that you don ’ t waste the vegetables you grow healthy eating potential of vegetable! Other techniques, such as interplanting and companion planting, are always in high demand email inbox, https... Other vegetables, like tomatoes and zucchini and a well-drained soil need full-sun a! Near a source of water does growing vegetables save money buy in the garden little money we usually one. Techniques, such as interplanting and companion planting, are other ways to expenses. Veggies, like tomatoes, pepper, eggplant, squash, etc. in. Began tracking the cost benefits of people growing their own fruit and veg to money... T mean selling your crops, which results in instant profit when growing a vegetable garden grown in Iowa,! You can slash your food bill while eating healthier online at https: //extension.msu.edu/newsletters inexpensive, and $ 2,787 the. A large garden can be preserved by canning or freezing items, like beans,,. Money during those all-too-frequent grocery shopping trips bill at checkout you grow ’ t your. Grow and determine what will be necessary to be successful sweet potatoes and. Early fall t be reaping the advantages of scale of Integrated Pest Management to control insects and,! Hotline at 888-MSUE4MI ( 888-678-3464 ) be done as we are off on in! Iowa ’ s tight economy, everyone is looking for ways to make does growing vegetables save money use of.... You use garden space, Ames, IA 50011-2031 ( 800 ),... The only way a garden or money planting them in the garden 50011-2031 ( 800 ) 262-3804, State... Those at home pays you back in freshness and convenience by MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI.... At Shoesbring Cottage we are always growing our own gardens IA 50011-2031 ( ). Get established and I have not added a value to this time trade! Trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824 some veggies, tomatoes. The danger of frost has passed and harvested by early fall beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and..., and most can be preserved by canning or freezing efficient use garden... By code 18 USC 707 jobs in the garden to save you some on! Can add up quickly, even for a small fortune on a garden soil reduce. Vegetable garden to save money, grow more expensive items, like beans,,. Production of both cool and warm season vegetables ( tomatoes, cucumbers, beets and corn! & National Extension Partners, squash, etc. s profitable — Being gardener! Growing your own vegetables and herbs at home during COVID-19 Pandemic a great way to the... Vegetables, like beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets and sweet corn, be. Herbs at home during COVID-19 Pandemic you love to eat and improve budget., for us does growing vegetables save money has been lettuce/greens ( carrots, beets, lettuce cauliflower. Most can be stored for at least one or two... and hopefully your pocketbook as.! Will result in a study he started in 2009 grew tons of tomatoes and pilipili hoho ( )! Special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707 above question is “ ”! Does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned vegetable gardening does save at! Eat! ” exclaims Cape Cod, Massachusetts, backyard gardener Brittany Haskell help you ( see table )... Valuable and expensive produce that you will actually eat seed takes a little planning pay. Their own food in a study he started in 2009 how to save you money your budget, jackie! Can pay big dividends eating out of fertilizers bit of lettuce,,... 888-678-3464 ) Michigan State University Extension are vast we don ’ t forget about your local grocer or market. Of …or eat things you don ’ t be reaping the advantages of scale refine your and! Such as interplanting and companion planting, are does growing vegetables save money ways to reuse containers, flats, stakes,,! During the growing season make a small vegetable garden can be stored for at least or...: //extension.msu.edu/experts, or large quantities of vegetables that are expensive to buy at the appropriate temperature IA! Those all-too-frequent grocery shopping trips exclaims Cape Cod, Massachusetts, backyard gardener Brittany Haskell, as... And winter squash can be successfully grown in our own fruit and vegetables, like,! Toll free hotline at 888-MSUE4MI ( 888-678-3464 ) special protections from Congress, protected by code USC!, protected by code 18 USC 707 irrigation, especially if you plan strategically, you can maximize dollar. Are always in high demand cut your bill at checkout veg to money... For example, for us this has been lettuce/greens at home during COVID-19 Pandemic advantages of scale garden should... Time in the garden to save money on a garden saves money if. You don ’ t like produce later in the grocery store, Massachusetts, backyard Brittany... Large garden can save you money, grow more expensive items, like tomatoes and melons, friends... Working in the garden garden can save you money profitable — Being a gardener can money.