Save Money by Growing a Vegetable Garden

Springtime is almost here…which means its time to think about gardening! Growing your own vegetable garden can help stretch your budget and is an essential part of frugal living. If you have kids, they are sure to love the idea of helping you take care of the garden and watch their creations grow. You may even be surprised to see them actually want to eat their vegetables because they will be so proud they helped to grow them!

Starting your seeds indoors.
If you are planning on growing a vegetable garden this year, now is the time to start growing your seedlings indoors. You can also purchase seedlings that are pre-grown from a store in a few weeks, but it will cost a lot more. Simply purchase a few packets of seeds and a bag of soil. You can start the seeds in just about any kind of container. Save money by planting your seeds in old egg cartons, cut-off milk cartons or even old paper towel rolls by cutting each paper towel roll into four pieces and laying the pieces side by side on a tray. Follow the directions on the back of the seed packet to know exactly how much sunshine and water each different kind of vegetable needs.

Which vegetables should you start indoors and when?
Leaf crops like tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and peppers, to name a few, can be started indoors in early March. Other vegetables such as cucumbers, pumpkins and squash can be started indoors in late March and April. Carrots, beets, beans and peas can be sowed directly into the ground once it’s warm outside. Early April is usually a good time to take your garden outside depending on the temperature.

Frugal tips for growing your garden.
Plant only the vegetables that you will actually use in your cooking. There is no sense in wasting time and money on growing vegetables that no one in your family will eat. Also, remember that you do not really need all the expensive plant foods and other products you will find in the gardening section of your local store. You can find tons of frugal gardening tips online such how to make your own pesticides, compost and fertilizer using simple household ingredients you probably already have.

Some of my favorite childhood memories involve helping my parents in the garden. I love the taste of freshly grown vegetables and the feeling of satisfaction you get when harvest time comes around. As an added bonus, growing your own vegetables can really help you stretch your budget and be eco-friendly at the same time. Now that I am a mom, I can not wait to share the experience of growing a garden with my daughter and all the memories we will make in the process!