Save Money At The Grocery Store By Growing These Foods At Home
One of the most expensive items at the grocery store is produce. Many fruits and vegetables are costing shoppers a ton of money due to the amount of labor that goes into them. In order to prevent yourself from overspending on items such as carrots, tomatoes, and herbs, it may be best to simply grow them at home.
Herbs Are Easy To Grow
Herbs such as rosemary, basil, and parsley are some of the easiest plants to grow at home. This is because they are rarely bothered by pests, they don't need a ton of water, and they thrive in all kinds of soil.
Having a garden supply of herbs can save people dozens of trips to the store and they'll always have it fresh.
Get A Plentiful Amount Of Tomatoes
One of the most popular foods grown at home is tomatoes. The average gardener can expect to get between 10 and 30 pounds per growing season.
Some of the best varieties to try are Big Beef, grape, and cherry tomatoes because these are the most costly at a store or farmer's market.
Lettuce Is Cost-Effective To Grow
One of the best crops to start gardening is lettuce, which can range from spinach, iceberg, kale, and many more varieties.
Lettuce is a cost-effective item to grow. For example, a head of romaine lettuce costs around two dollars. A pack of seeds costs about the same but will give growers a supply for months.
Growing Garlic Saves Money And Space
Those who buy garlic at the supermarket may be aware that it isn't too cheap. Garlic is a great thing to grow at home to save money and space.
Growing garlic barely takes up any room and people can get a lot out of a single harvest. The best time to grow it is during the summer.
Squash Can Feed Many People
One of the best reasons why squash are great to grow at home is because they can feed a huge group of people.
There are tons of varieties such as yellow squash, zucchini, and spaghetti squash. These do take up a lot of room in a garden, but will be worth it.
Peppers Can Be Great Gifts
Specialty peppers such as bell peppers, jalapeños, chili peppers, and poblano peppers go for top dollar at the grocery store.
However, these peppers are relatively easy to grow at home and do best in areas that have a warmer to moderate climate. Bonnie Plants recommends using peppers grown at home to make hot sauces that can be used as gifts for loved ones.
Cucumbers Keep Slugs Away
Not only are cucumbers extremely healthy and refreshing, but they make a perfect crop for any garden.
Cucumbers are easy to grow and can also keep bugs and slugs away from your other crops. Sliced cucumbers placed in an aluminum container will create a chemical scent that gets those pesky pests to avoid ruining your food.
Celery Has Multiple Purposes
Not only is celery a yummy snack on its own, but it also serves as an important ingredient in many soups, stews, salads, and more.
It can be grown in a small space due to its compact shape and harvested one stem at a time. The self-blanching varieties are the easiest to grow.
Green Beans Are Fresher When Grown At Home
The cost of green beans at a supermarket really depends on the growing season. In order to avoid the high prices, try growing them at home.
According to An Oregon Cottage, growing green beans at home gives you the freshest and best tasting ones available. Green beans are easy to grow and the excess can be frozen to save for later.
Rhubarb Is Very Low Maintenance
While it takes about one to two years to get your rhubarb started, it won't require any maintenance at all after that time.
Rhubarb isn't necessarily easy to find at the grocery store, which can make it pretty expensive. This food isn't just for pie, but can also be used for butter, chutney, and baked goods.
Parsnips Are Super Nutritious
Parsnips are a relative of carrots and need a longer growing season in order to last for more years. This vegetable is extremely nutritious and packed with vitamins B6 and C and potassium.
It's cost-effective to grow parsnips at home because they are usually more expensive at the store. Be careful to plant them in soil that doesn't exceed 54 degrees Fahrenheit.
Onions Can Grow Quickly
Onions are one of the fastest growing vegetables that someone could plant in their garden. Not only can onions be used in a wide variety of dishes, but they are relatively cheap to grow as well.
The bigger cooking onions last at least two months if they are stored properly after the harvest season.
Peas Can Grow All Year Long
For those in need of a vegetable that will grow quickly, then green peas are the answer. Also, growers will be able to get a lot of supply from them.
The longer green peas are harvested, the more people will get. This isn't just for the harvest season because they can be grown throughout the whole year.
Strawberries Can Be Grown Anywhere
Strawberries can grow in many different gardening methods and don't take up a ton of space. Those living in an apartment, condo, or small home may want to consider getting a strawberry pot, which lets you plant multiple crops in a small space.
Strawberries grow best during the summer and make for a refreshing treat.
Save Money By Growing Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the healthiest foods available. They're full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which are great for fighting many ailments.
These fruits can be grown in a smaller area and still produce a huge crop over a long period of time. Buying tiny tubs of these berries at the grocery store really isn't cost-effective.
Radishes Will Grow In Abundance
Radishes are usually seen in salads or as a garnish for other dishes, but they are one of the best crops to grow at home.
These are ready to be harvested in as little as four weeks and can be harvested repeatedly throughout the season. Radishes only need a small patch of soil to produce a ton of supply.
You Can Get A Lot Of Food Out Of Turnips
It only takes a few days for turnips to germinate. These cool-weather vegetables can be harvested in both the spring and fall and they mature rather quickly.
Not only can people eat the white bulb part, but the bright greens and roots can be eaten as well. Turnips can be eaten several ways including raw, baked, boiled, roasted, and mashed.
Potatoes Are So Versatile
One of the most versatile foods that people can actually grow at home are potatoes. They can be turned into so many different dishes including French fries, mashed potatoes, potato pancakes, and chips.
Potatoes can grow just about anywhere and won't take up too much space. Having potatoes in your garden will be a lot more convenient than purchasing them at the supermarket.
Broccoli Keeps On Producing
According to Den Garden, broccoli plants continue to produce even after the initial head has been removed from the plant.
One broccoli plant can produce many pounds of the produce that can last for months. Growing broccoli at home will be a lot cheaper than purchasing frozen or fresh broccoli at the store.
Start Digging Up Some Carrots
Carrots can be easy to grow at home, but they need a controlled, sandy soil to thrive. Carrots come in many colors, which can be more costly at the grocery store.
Also, carrots are great fuel for the body. Just one cup of raw carrots has four grams of fiber and 428 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.