[USER]

I’m considering starting a small home garden and wondering if it’s actually a good way to cut down on grocery costs. With food prices constantly rising, the idea of growing my own vegetables, herbs, or even some fruits sounds appealing.

But I’m not sure if the initial investment in soil, seeds, tools, water, and time will really pay off in the long run.

Has anyone here tried gardening as a way to save money? Did you notice a significant difference in your grocery bills?

I’d love to hear about what worked for you, what didn’t, and whether you’d recommend it for someone who’s looking to be more self-sufficient and reduce monthly food expenses.

Also, how much time and effort does it realistically take to maintain a productive garden? Is it manageable for someone with a full-time job?

Any advice, tips, or personal experiences would be really appreciated!

[Nesha]

Gardening (like sewing) is an investment. Start small, make do.

[Sandy]

As long as you actually use what you grow. Even 1 simple tomato plant can supply many BLT’s.

[Judith]

1. Have you had a garden before? They are a lot of work and I don’t save money on groceries instead I am investing in healthier food, and a hobby I enjoy and is relaxing

2. Do you know how to preserve food? Instead of gardening I would look for clearance veg at farmers markets and preserve it. Which is also an investment.

Learning to preserve your food is actually one of the best stills that save money.

Look at the price of spices, bone broths, cheese, prepared foods.

Good luck

[Jacquelyn]

If your going to weed, water, and eat from it. I can, dehydrate, and freeze to preserve my harvest.

But if you want fresh salad, kale, etc you can grow just that too

[Kathe]

If you have the “want to” to preserve your excess harvests then, I say yes, you can save on groceries.

I haven’t purchased onions, garlic, green beans, collards, bell peppers, jalapeños, canned pumpkin pie puree, spinach, tomato products etc. etc.

since I started canning and freezing from my garden.

I even drain a jar of diced tomatoes I canned to use in salads and on burgers. It takes work but it’s so worth it.

There’s no weird ingredients I can’t pronounce in what I personally preserve.

[Linnea]

It can be costly to start up and care for a garden but it’s extremely rewarding to grow your own food

[Serena]

It took five years to break even, but we only had a small raised bed with chicken wire cover and doors.

We could grow two tomato plants and some other small bits of vegetables.

A simple garden would do better I am sure.

[Lee]

Depends on your area and what grows best and how much time you put into it and soil etc. takes time for some things to get to harvest time.

For me it’s a hobby and fresh veggies but we don’t start picking til July. Been a cold winter here in NY suburbs /ct.

even with all this more animals now too I have to create a fencing or set up a greenhouse type thing.

Rabbits squirrel chipmunks deer … birds

[Cris]

Last year I was a comunnity garden member, that was super helpful, older members donating a lot of supplies, tomatoes plants, they also have free plants like chives and others herbs, blueberry and raspberry bushes, grapes, I made grape juice, lots of xtra tomatoes

[Margriet]

Yes, I sure can save. We do a lot of trading between friends. Grow lights, seeds, and pots and etc.

And we share our extra abundant veggies between each other, raspberry canes and strawberry plants and etc.

Were there is a will there’s a way. Time and patience and gardening friends will take it far

[Michele]

Green onion will come back every year, raspberry bushes and rhubarb all grow back yearly. Pear tree, cherry tree s just trim and water the first years.

Tomatoes and green bean, peas and zucchini, peppers radishes and carrots have been very successful for me.

My friend does potatoes in pots from cut sprouted potatoes

[Andrea]

The biggest thing is to not get carried away with all the options. Grow only what you will eat not lofty veggies that seem amazing but you won’t utilize or that won’t grow in your zone.

We grow carrots, rutabaga, potatoes,onions and tomatoes.

Things that keep well for the year and that we use lots of.

[Tanya]

I bought Ahopegraden. No soil needed just water and seed. Grow anything you want!

And yes, it’s saving us money

[Donna]

My Granny has a huge garden every year. She only purchased sugar, flour, coffee, and tea from the grocery store. She would trade garden produce which she canned or froze for meat and chicken.

At one point age raised chickens so she has eggs and would kill and use the chicken.

My father-in-law had a large garden every year, but did not freeze or can anything.

My hubby enjoyed having a garden for years but only grew tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant and bell peppers.

We dud not can or freeze, but when we has an abundance of these, we gave it to neighbors.

[Diane]

It has always helped me. 4 Straighneck yellow squash plants yielded enough for us to eat squash dishes all summer long AND enough to eat throughout the winter and I frequently take a squash casserole to bring a dish dinners.

Two bell pepper plants provided several servings of stuffed bell peppers and I dried enough to use in sauces and dishes like spaghetti all year.

I started by planting two cloves of garlic and 2 yrs later I give away garlic to friends and family and have not bought any since and I use garlic frequently..

It’s a great hobby that pays off even if you do it in containers.

[Richard]

Yes, if you do it frugally. Bit by bit, use free resources to build healthy productive soil.

The price of seed is negligible.

[Barbara]

Only if
You can control bugs, deer, etc.

check out Kroger produce mark downs, dehydrating & an app called Flash Food.

[Kay]

Do you have farmers markets nearby? They are pretty good and you could pick up items there and save money

[Author]

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