My bill for produce in the summer and fall has been cheaper this year and last year. The reason for that? We put in a garden last year! And this year, we added on to it to double the size.
Now, I will say, I have talked to lots of people over the past two years that hear that I have a garden and they say things like, "I don't have room for a garden" or "I don't have time for a garden." Let me tell you...I didn't have to use much of either for our garden. (Oh...well...it *does* help that Eric helps out with it too, of course.)
I will say -- we did put in extra time each of these years with actually putting in the garden, but I expect to save some money (and time) next year when we don't have to actually put in a garden. Oh -- and I have also had lots of people tell me that they have junkie soil. Well...our garden solves that problem too.
In our backyard, we have what is considered a raised bed garden. Here is some information on raised bed gardening. We have less weeds because of the raised bed garden (which saves us lots of time!) and we are able to use wonderful rich soil (that we purchased) even though our soil is not good for growing.
And, if you don't want to mess with even a raised bed garden, you can easily do container gardening!
It may be a little extra work during gardening season, but we have probably already harvested enough vegetables to where we have saved money. Okay...I probably wouldn't have actually gone to the store and bought as much zucchini and squash as we have had (LOL), but if I *did* want to do it, I bet we have already saved money. And, even if you aren't worried about money, let me just say that it is pretty darn sweet to be able to just pop a grape tomato in your mouth that you grew! Yum!
If you just REALLY think gardening can't work for you, I suggest going to browse at a Farmer's Market in your area. (Although, I love to go to the Farmer's Market even though I garden as well.)
11 comments:
My DH says that our tomatoes cost $5 each since we've purchased so many gardening gadgets, etc. But what I really like about gardening is that I know how the veggies were grown. I make my own compost and rarely use insecticides or fertilizers.
scrapper al
We grew cherry tomatoes one year and they were delicious! We just didn't get it done this year, and I've regretted it every time I go to the store & buy more cherry tomatoes. You bet I'll be planting 4 or 5 of these plants next year! (At least our blueberries do well every year without much effort from us at all :)
Cool Angie! We both like freecycle and we both like gardening! Well, at least I'm learning to garden :) I'll be blogging Wednesday about this year's attempt at a garden.
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I would probably be better about eating my veggies if I had a garden!
I have dreams about being this domestic! Thanks for the link about raised beds - maybe someday...
LOL Anna!!!! If it makes you feel any better, you could still become domestic! I will tell you that 11 years ago when I got married, I was absolutely not domestic AT ALL. Zilch. And, even five years ago, not too much at all. I would say that I have only started to settle into and embrace my domestic side in the past year or two. go figure.
I started a garden three years ago to kill time while hubby was in Iraq. We have expanded every year and now have tons of veggies coming in every day. I love it! I am no expert either. But it's pretty easy. Plant, weed, water, pick. Those are the basics. :) I have some good pics of my garden and harvest on my blog. Come check it out if you have a sec.
I have been wanting to do this for a long time! My folks always had a garden, and my grandparents were farmers. You'd think I'd be a natural. But I'm a notorious plant killer.
But, I'm inspired. Thank you.
I grew some herbs in containers on my back deck this year. It's my first time doing any sort of 'real' gardening so I thought I'd start small. Now I'm kicking myself because I don't have any veggies, just herbs! Next year I'll have to get a bit crazy to make up for lost time!
Angie,that's great. I always grow a few tomatoes and this year we have a few cucumber plants too. The tomatoes are so much better than what you can buy in a store they taste like a completely different vegetable, don't you think? I love gardening...nice post
I did it the easy way: I married someone who loves gardening. I just picked some fresh basil and cilantro for dinner. YUMMM!!
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