Should I start a vegetable garden to save money on groceries?

farquark asks: Should I start a vegetable garden to save money on groceries?
I recently came across a new blog that recommended starting a vegetable garden to save on groceries. I am a novice at gardening, but the article suggested some simple plants that were easy to grow.

I’m wondering, is this too good to be true? Or could it be worth my while? (and keep money in my pocketbook?)

the site was: http://midwestmoms.blogspot.com

The answer voted best is:

Answer by hopflower
Do you like to garden? If so, it is a good idea to do it. If you hate gardening, you are better off buying your produce. You can have a lot of choices however, when growing your own.

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6 comments

  1. You can and it will help you out to save money. You will have fun to have a garden all the time too.

  2. yes, my mom used to have a garden when us kids still lived with her. The food was deliciougs and she saved a lot of money plus it was healthy.

    What was bad was the work that went into picking and canning etc…

  3. Not unless you can get free water. When your produce is ready to pick is the same time the prices are the lowest of the year in the stores. If you do have free water available [(as in enough rain that you need no city water) and do it on a large enough scale to freeze a years supply then it MIGHT be a little cheaper but you need to consider the cost of fertilizer and/or compost, seeds or seedlings, canning jars and/or freezer bags, and the time and energy (including electric or gas you need to bottle or freeze).

    In general, no.

  4. You need to find ways to save money other than just growing the vegetables. If you have a well, that saves water, but it still costs electricity. Get an electric meter so you can be charged peak and off peak time. In my town, off peak is .036 cents and peak is .15 cents. Water only on off peak times. If you choose to can your veggies, you can find jars on craiglist, freecycle or second hand store very cheap – invest in new lids. The first year might be difficult getting started, but once you do it year after year, it is worth it. Make sure you have the time to tend the garden and do the canning and freezing too.

  5. Why not try it? Seeds are cheap and the veggies you will grow are going to taste 10 times better than you can get at the store. Plus they won’t have all those yummy pesticides on them!
    It might help you find a new hobby as well. Start out small (don’t go overboard and buy EVERY kind of veggie you like). Spend $ 1 on seeds, buy a pot and dirt, and don’t forget to water it. You will soon learn if it is something you enjoy and remember to do.
    I have to say that the pride in knowing that I am growing delicious, healthy food for myself and my family and saving money (tomatoes are EXPENSIVE for a family of 4) is tremedous. Stick to the ones you love and that are easy keepers. You may not save hundreds, but depending on where you live, you may never have to buy a tomato at the store again! And when they are $ 4 a lb, you will be so proud!
    Do it. It is only a plant (sorry, for the insensitivity) and if it dies – get another one. No big loss. Big gain.
    If you love it on the small scale and you have the space, well go for it. You will be saving money, saving the health of your family and helping to save the environment. Sounds good.

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