Grow your own produce to save on groceries

Did you know that having a green thumb is a good way to stretch your dollar further?

One of the very best ways to stretch your grocery budget further is to DIY wherever possible. Have you ever considered growing your own garden to DIY your own produce? It’s not as hard or labour intensive as you might think! Not only will gardening save you some cash, it can be a very relaxing activity. It is a great opportunity to get your kids involved too.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are among the easiest and most cost effective veggies to grow on your own. You can buy plants inexpensively from your local grocery store. On average, you can expect anywhere from 10 to 20 pounds of tomatoes, depending on the length of the growing season where you live.

Bell peppers

Bell peppers are another staple that will thrive in the Canadian climate. Be careful when and where you plant them, as they are susceptible to frost. Peppers need full sun and good drainage to really flourish.

Lettuce

If you are a salad junkie, how convenient (and cheap) would it be to have a steady supply right in your own backyard? Leaf lettuce is probably the easiest variety to grow, and you can generally expect a good yield. Sow seeds fairly wide apart, and the plants should keep producing leafs.

Herbs

Fresh herbs are very expensive to buy. They are super easy to grow yourself, and you will produce a bunch (you may even have to find a friend or neighbour to take some off your hands).

All you need for an entire season of “seasoning” is one plant for sage, rosemary, mint, thyme and chives. These herbs do well inside as well, so if you prefer to garden in a container, or have limited outdoor space, they are a good choice.