Hey there, fellow thrifty gardeners! Are you all about how to save money while enjoying the freshest produce? Well, join me as we dive into the world of gardening and explore 10 common vegetables that promise to keep your wallet happy. Let’s get started!
Number 10: Garlic – A Savory Investment
Garlic, a kitchen essential for many, can indeed be save you money, but it requires a bit of garlic enthusiasm to truly make it worthwhile. We’re talking about using garlic in every meal—breakfast, lunch, dinner, you name it. With dedication and a love for garlic, growing your own can lead to significant savings. Plus, if you save your own seed garlic, you can cut costs even further. In stores, garlic can go for as much as $0.69 per head, but with homegrown garlic the savings are undeniable.
Number 9: Cucumbers – Crunchy and Cost-Effective
Crisp, refreshing cucumbers are a staple in many households, but buying them at the store can quickly add up. With just a few seeds and minimal effort, you can grow your own cucumbers at a fraction of the cost. Store-bought cucumbers typically go for $0.89 each, but with minimal investment in seeds (around $2 per pack), you can enjoy a steady supply of homegrown cucumbers for years to come.
Number 8: Peppers – Spice Up Your Savings
Peppers, whether hot or sweet, can be quite pricey when purchased individually at the store. However, with a little investment in pepper plants or seeds, you can save money and enjoy a bountiful harvest at home. For example, green bell peppers at the store can go for $0.89 each. By contrast, with minimal investment in seeds (around $2 to $4 per pack), you can grow your own peppers and save big in the long run.
Number 7: Sweet Potatoes – Nature’s Sweetest Deal
Sweet potatoes, with their rich flavor and nutritional benefits, are a true money-saving gem. With just one organic sweet potato from the store, you can create between 10-30 slips with each slip yielding 4-6 sweet potatoes. Store-bought sweet potatoes typically cost around $0.89 each but by taking that store bought sweet potato and using it to create plants, you could be harvesting 40 potatoes from your garden.
Number 6: Kale – A Leafy Green Goldmine
Kale, the reigning king of leafy greens, takes center stage at number 6. Whether you enjoy it fresh or baked into crispy chips, growing kale is a budget-friendly choice. Store-bought kale typically goes for $1.29 per bunch, but with minimal investment in seeds, you can grow hundreds of your own kale plants and enjoy substantial savings.
Number 5: Lettuce – Fresh, Crisp, and Cost-Effective
Say goodbye to pricey salad fixings and hello to homegrown lettuce! With just a few seeds, you can enjoy a steady supply of fresh greens at a fraction of the cost. Store-bought lettuce can cost as much as $3.79 for 9 oz. You can grow your own lettuce and enjoy significant savings as well as avoid the contamination issues that have plagued store bought lettuce.
Number 4: Tomatoes – The Garden’s Rockstars
Ah, tomatoes, the beloved darlings of every gardener’s heart. With a single plant producing up to 30 pounds of fruit, growing tomatoes is a no-brainer for budget-conscious gardeners. Store-bought cherry tomatoes can go for $3.99 for 10 oz. By growing them yourself, each plant can save you $20 or more.
Number 3: Herbs – Flavorful and Frugal
Herbs, the unsung heroes of the garden, claim the number 3 spot. With minimal effort and investment, you can enjoy a never-ending supply of fresh, flavorful herbs straight from the garden. Store-bought herbs typically cost $2.69 per half ounce, which is wild. Homegrown herbs are often perennials so they will regrow each year. Annual herbs usually come with hundreds of seeds in a pack.
Number 2: Fruit Trees – Nature’s Generous Bounty
Fruit trees, the ultimate gift from Mother Nature, claim the number 2 spot on our list. From peaches to avocados, these trees promise a bountiful harvest that far outweighs their initial investment. Store-bought peaches can go for $0.99 each, but with a small investment in fruit tree saplings, you can enjoy between 10-150lbs of homegrown fruit for years.
Number 1: Perennial Vegetables – The Money-Saving Champions
And finally, drumroll please, for the number 1 spot: perennial vegetables. These low-maintenance gems, from asparagus to artichokes, are the true MVPs of the garden. While store prices for perennial vegetables vary, the minimal investment required for initial planting yields ongoing savings and a continuous supply of fresh produce.
So there you have it, folks—the top 10 money-saving vegetables you need to grow in your garden. With a little time, effort, and ingenuity, you can enjoy a bounty of fresh, delicious produce while saving big bucks in the process. Happy gardening!
