Gardening Methods

Gardening Cents

A growing number of people, driven by higher grocery costs and a challenging economy, are putting in vegetable gardens for the first time. While others are expanding their existing gardens.

Some of the reasons are the higher cost of food, food safety, taste, health and growing concerns about global warming. Growing food at home is on the up-swing. Community gardens across the country have been sold out for months or some communities are starting their own programs – neighbor helping neighbor. In some city locations these gardens plots have waiting lists.

The most immediate reason is the conspicuous rise in the cost of basics like milk and bread products accompanied by price increased costs of fruits and vegetables. Food prices have spiked because of fuel prices thus instilling the desire to be more independent and have our own vegetable gardens. We are driving less, taking fewer vacations, allowing us more time to garden.

Last year I had a small garden. This year it will triple in size.  With the cost of everything increasing and as always, the desire to lose a few pounds; so it is a win-win situation all around. I get to harvest the fruits of my labor and get back into my smaller jeans.

This year I will be ready to take a stab at canning. I will probably spend maybe $50 for everything and that will be less than a week’s cost of groceries. I will get to know my neighbor better, because she knows how to can and preserve.

I will be planting more “survival vegetables”: peas, beans, corn, beets, carrots, broccoli, kale, spinach and the lettuces.

If you are starting your first vegetable garden and you do not have a yard try containers for tomatoes and herbs. Basil …hmmm… I can taste the pesto now. First time gardeners may not have any idea how much sweat equity is involved.  Your local garden center will take time to educate you so the experience is more enjoyable. Gardening is an active hobby; it is a commitment and an opportunity to chat with your neighbor and share experiences and stories. Like that the day I was daydreaming, walking through my garden and stepped into a big pile of ‘critter’ droppings  and thought it was moose droppings…  That is another story for later…

Food prices are getting to the point where having your own garden will make a difference. It is draining our budget. It was never a concern before but our grocery bill for two went from $100 a week to $140 a week just last year.

I will be planting many vegetables that freeze well and can/preserve well. I plan to dry herbs that just happen to be great companion plants for the vegetables, and I will make pickles from my luscious cucumbers and shop at my local Farmers Market for treats I was unable to grow. I am looking forward to a cellar full of potatoes and other root crops.

I plan to plant a little more then I need. Some of our harvest will also go to food pantries. Reminding me, we are a community of neighbors helping neighbors.

I am hoping to take $20 to $40 a week off my grocery bill. This is in the low range. Hypothetically, a $100 investment could produce $1,000 to $1,700 worth of vegetables, keeping in mind variables such as weather that are totally out of our control.  I could use that to pay on my tax bill.

There is something both rewarding and exciting to go out and pick the fruits of your labor and then to sit in your home, in the dead of winter, eating a hot bowl of pasta smothered in some of the most delicious Pesto sauce, made right from your own garden.  Does not get any better!

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Health and Safety in the Garden