The Cost of Growing Your Own Veggies - Part 2

We've already covered some of the costs involved in starting a vegetable garden and now we're going to discuss a few more. That way you’re going into this endeavor with your eyes wide open.

If you're going to be a gardener, you need some tools to tend the garden. You don't have to have every gizmo out there, just the ones you'll really use. Research some of the tools and pick what will work best for you and your situation. Tools are something you buy once, although garden gloves are a different story.

How to save: Look for sales on the tools you need, especially when it's off season. You'll get better deals at the end of summer rather than in the spring. One place to get spectacular bargains are at estate sales. Once you have the tools, you should take good care of them. Make sure you put them away somewhere where they are protected and store them clean. At the end of the season give them a good cleaning and add a coat of protective oil as directed. (Check the gardening section of our website for good prices on some recommended tools.)

Every year you need plants to stick into the ground, right? Not necessarily; some plants will over-winter so you don't have to start totally over. Other than that, yes, plants are needed.

Runner bean seeds (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How to save: It depends on where you live but take note of many herbs like rosemary and oregano that will come back the next season. Others might be mint, onion, garlic. 

How to save: Save your seed at the end of the season. Using your own seed is much cheaper than buying new plants. You'll find the seeds in the heads of the dried flowers. Store them in marked envelopes or bags for future use. You won't ever again have to buy onions, lettuce, cilantro, carrots and more. (Note: If you grew plants from hybrid seeds or seedlings, you won't always get good results if you save their seeds. Grow open-pollinated or heirloom varieties if you want to save seeds.) If you don't have seeds to save, buy packets of seeds and start them yourself rather than seedlings as this is certainly less expensive.

Watering your veggies can really cause your water bill to go up in the summer.

How to save: Water by hand, if possible, and not with a forget-about-it sprinkler that also waters your fence, sidewalk, and part of the house. Water in the early morning or evening (depending on where you live) so that you don't lose the water to evaporation from the sun. You could also set up a drip irrigation system, which feeds a small amount of water directly to the roots of the plants, and minimizes evaporation.

Also, consider planting things a little closer together so the leaves of the plants help shade the ground in the plot. This, and using a mulch to cover the bare ground can help conserve water by keeping the moisture in the ground longer. Of note - if you live in a dry, arid place, raised beds might not be the best solution for you as beds above ground tend to dry out faster.

Having your own vegetable garden is rewarding in so many ways. To help keep the costs down and make it worth your money to grow your own, consider the above tips.

The Cost of Growing Your Own Veggies - Part 1

There are many reasons to grow your own vegetables. You get to eat food that hasn't been tainted with chemicals and you feel great satisfaction that you're able to nurture life from a mere seed in the earth to a fresh vegetable on your table.   Besides that, it's just fun (most of the time) to work in the garden in the fresh air, with maybe some family members right there alongside you.  But one of the biggest reason people give for wanting to start their own garden is that it will save on their grocery bills. But does it really?

Yes and no. It depends on how you go about it and how long you've been doing it. Let me explain.

There are initial costs involved in setting up your plot(s). If you're going to do containers or some sort of raised beds, there's the cost of the materials. This should be a cost that doesn't occur frequently unless you use something that's not durable and has to be replaced often.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How to save: Use lumber you've been storing to build the beds or old containers scavenged from friends and neighbors. Know anyone who's repurposing? Fences or decks being torn down might give you the lumber you need. You can also look for damaged and discounted boards at the lumberyard. Just be sure that you're using untreated lumber, as treated wood contains chemicals that can leach into your garden and affect the health of your plants - and ultimately your family.

Then there is the cost of soil and fertilizer to fill up your plots. If you're working with depleted soil or deadpan, more amendments will be necessary. This is usually an up-front cost, but you might have to top off your beds every year with more soil.

How to save: Don't buy bag after bag from the home improvement store unless they're having a good sale. Buy in bulk from a garden center or landscaping firm. You can save on delivery if you borrow a truck and go pick it up yourself.

Know that fertilizer is important to any garden plant. Fertilizer gives them the nutrients they need for healthy production. Compost enriches the soil and that's why it's nicknamed "black gold" by many gardeners.

How to save: Make your own compost. It can be as simple as using an old plastic garbage can and drilling some holes into it, then throwing your kitchen scraps (non-meat), garden waste, old leaves, and grass clippings into it. Using your own homemade compost can mean better soil which means stronger, healthier plants and better vegetable yield. Make a fertilizer from compost tea and use that plus other home remedies instead of buying expensive bagged or bottled products. (Click the "compost" tag below this post for an extensive list of how-to articles on composting.)

Here you have just some of costs associated with having a vegetable garden, plus some tips on how to make these costs less of a strain on your wallet.

Next week, check back for Part 2, and learn how you can save on tools, plants, and watering costs for your garden.