Consider planning a fabulously frugal garden
Gang, I’m ready to throw in the towel on this crazy weather. When I turned in this week’s column in to the editor a few days ago, it was nearly 60 degrees. The next day, we got three inches of snow. By the time you’re reading this column today, the temperature is going to dip into the teens with a good chance of (I can barely say it) more snow. This is crazy! However, I remain ever hopeful that one day soon, we can look out the window and actually see a few beautiful days that look like springtime. With that in mind, let’s turn our thoughts to a fabulously frugal, easy, spring-themed project that not only welcomes warmer weather, but can save you hundreds of dollars by the end of the year — a garden!
For those of you who have never given thought to creating a small home garden, give me five minutes. I’m about to give you three fabulously frugal reasons to give one a try.
Reason #1: Food prices are rising again this year. According to the USDA Consumer Price Index, food prices are on the rise again, as wages remain somewhat stagnant. Don’t forget the occasional drought in various growing zones, coupled with ridiculously cold weather in other parts of the United States. What does this mean for you? A big uptick in food prices, that’s what — this as we’re trying to pay off our heating bills at the same time. The good news is that you can take a big bite out of your food costs with even the tiniest of gardens! I’ve connected with people who simply enjoy potted plants on their patio (tomatoes, carrots, herbs, etc.) and still cut their food costs substantially.
Reason #2: The most expensive items on supermarket shelves are often the easiest to grow. In our house, we love our salads, fruits and herbs. Have you seen the price of a head of organic iceberg lettuce lately? Don’t even get me started on the price of strawberries! And the price of those small packets of herbs you see in your supermarket’s produce aisle? Where were they grown? The moon? Plant a few simple rows of your favorites this spring, and enjoy all of the benefits of fabulous (organic) fresh produce, for a fraction of the cost of retail.
Reason #3: The amazing, immense personal satisfaction of having your own garden. There’s nothing like putting a fresh salad, or a bowl of delicious, organic, homegrown strawberries, raspberries and blueberries on the table and knowing it cost pennies (compared to the $20 you’d pay in the supermarket for organic produce), and knowing you can do it all over again tomorrow with a stroll through your own garden. If you have young kids at home, let them help as much as possible, and rejoice in the fact that you’re teaching them a healthy hobby that can save them hundreds — if not thousands — over their lifetime as well.
Side note: Our local food banks are very much in need. When you plant your rows of favorites this year, give some thought to planting a row of hardy cucumbers, carrots, onions or other easy items, and donate them as they grow. You’ll be doing your local community a world of good, for pennies. Happy gardening, everybody — Frugal On!