Growing Plants to Save $$$

It’s planting season and what a way to save money – plant and harvest this season. Many people are taking the plunge to help with food costs. With the severe weather in the different vegetable and fruit areas of the United States damaging the vegetables and fruits, it is well known that prices will go up. To help your food costs-let’s plant.

If you missed the Seed giveaway and many of us did, because if you weren’t there by 9:00am – you missed the seeds. This year people came to the Seed Giveaway by the dozens, the seeds were gone by 9:30am. So now you head for the local greenhouse or the sign that says, “Plants for sale”.

1. You can save 25% to 50% at plant sales. You may need to look in the local newspapers or Free Traders for the sales. Don’t throw your seeds away after using what you need – save them and save money by using the seeds next year.

2. Grow high yield, low effort crops. You will get the best “bang for your buck” by growing plants that produce their product over a length of time in a small area. You pay less for materials to maintain the plants. These plants include leaf lettuce, cherry or grape tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, climbing peas and squash. Pick a leaf of lettuce and it grows another leaf. Cherry and grape tomatoes grow in clusters so they are easy to pick and the big news-they grow all season.

3. Plant hanging gardens: If you have no space this may be the way to grow your food. You can plant herbs, tomatoes (compact or bush), cucumbers, hot peppers and dwarf vegetables in hanging planters. Hanging planters do save time, space and your “back”. If you plant “dwarf” seeds then you save on potting soil and fertilizer.

4. Get supplies for $1.00, where? Visit the dollar store to pick up such supplies as seeds, glove, trowels, buckets, spray bottles, watering cans, and other gardening needs Tip: look for gardening tools at lawn and garage sales. Always good buys

Growing your own food can be a “money saver” and can give you great pride. Try it, go small at first then the following year try a little more.

Gardening can also be a great stress reliever. Enjoy the soil, the digging and the calm.

Here’s hoping that planting helps your pocketbook and your health. Either way or both ways – have fun.

Have a good day and good planting!