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Gardening = Lower Food Bill

This Series provides some simple, low cost and effort ways to have a dramatic impact on a particular
bill category.   If you have an area where you would like to save money, then please leave a
comment below.   
Grow a Garden 
It doesn’t have to be large or even in the backyard. 
This year we grew several tomato, cucumber and pepper (Jalapeno, Serrano, Italian Banana, Chili
and Poblano) plants.  Our first thing we did to save money was -- DON’T buy plants from the big box
stores! We were able to get seeds from our local library.   Each time you went to the
library, you were permitted to pick up 5 packets of seeds for free. In order to take advantage of this,
you MUST start your garden plants indoors in February.   

Cost check: 
Starting from seeds 
$3.38 (36 pellets ) 
$4.49 Seed Starting Mix
$0.00- Seeds from the Library 
$0.00- Pots (I keep them from year to year or use empty food container.) 
Plants $3.00-$5.00 each 
We grew 20 plants (a few died or were eaten by the birds), so I will use that as my number to
calculate cost.    
Starting from seeds = $7.87
Plants = $60.00
Garden Benefits 
Big Boy Tomatoes= 5
Roma = 17
Jalapenos= 5
Serrano= 3
Banana Peppers= 5
Green Tomatoes= 10
Cucumbers= 7
Strawberry= 7
Basil
Spearmint
Lettuce 
I continuously trim my herbs and this helps them to continue to grow throughout the winter and into
next year.   I have had a rosemary plant for 4 years now and I am expecting the basil and spearmint
plants to continue to produce into the winter and possibly next year.    However, eventually the
lettuce plants will stop producing but not yet.    
Farmer’s Market Comparison 
Big Boy Tomatoes $2.50 per pound and each tomato is about 1 pound. 
Roma Tomatoes were not available. 
Jalapeno Peppers 5 for $1.00 
Banana Peppers 5 for $1.00 (The Farmer’s Market peppers were much bigger.) 

For just the produce we could purchase at the Farmers Market our bill would have been about
$15.00.  Even though this year’s has not produced a high productive garden, we have already made
our money back and everything after this will produce more savings.    
Preserving the Garden 
Canning
Tomatoes are easy to can and only require a water bath.  We can Crushed Tomatoes and
Salsa. I also make pickles and pickled peppers. 
I can’t wait to fill them. 
Dehydrating 
We dehydrate Basil, Rosemary, Spearmint, and all types of Peppers. 


Basil - I just leave them out on the counter for several weeks. 


Peppers, Tomatoes- I dry them in the oven at 200-250 degrees.  
The amount of time required depends on the amount/size of food and moisture. 
Freezing 
You can freeze Tomatoes, all herbs, and peppers.    
No Yard- No Problem
Just grow your garden in pots.
Cherry Tomato 
Lettuce 
Basil 
Gardening is a great way to reduce stress and lower your food bill.   It’s not too late to get started, so
select carefully what you can grow for your fall garden and enjoy the journey.   

Leave a comment below with what plant(s) you are growing or plan to grow this fall.



 

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