In today’s economy, it is more important than ever to learn how to be self-sufficient. A simple way to start is by learning how to grow your own food. While it can seem daunting, with a little bit of planning and preparation, you can easily grow hundreds of dollars worth of food in your backyard by starting your first garden!
To begin, you don’t need a lot of space, time, or even money. What you do need is the resolve to stick with it as well as the ability to do a little research.
Choose what to grow according to your climate
One of the most important things to consider when growing your own food is the climate you live in. When choosing seeds, consider what will thrive in your home’s current environment.
For example, we live in zone 6b. This gives us a fairly long growing season (typically from April to October). However, having lived in this zone for the entirety of my life, I know that summers can be unpredictable. I want to choose vegetables that I know can survive constant humidity, have a growing season shorter than 200 days, and can survive periods without rainfall.
If you are unsure of what zone you live in, contact your local extension office. Google is also a great resource that can lead you in the right direction. Once you have an idea of what will grow well in your area, it’s time to start planning your garden!
Buying plant starts
If you have never gardened before, the easiest route to take is to buy started plants. These can be found at box stores such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowes, or your local nursery/garden center. The benefit of plant starts is that they are typically easier to care for and have a higher success rate than starting your plants from seeds.
However, you are paying for this convenience when you consider the cost. Seed packets can run you anywhere from $1.00 to $5.00. Most started plants start at $3 with mature plants selling for up to $20.
You are also limited when it comes to variety. If you are looking to grow unusual or rare vegetables, finding them in-store can be difficult. However, if you are just looking for generic varieties, this is a viable option.
When choosing starts, look for healthy plants with compact roots that are not rootbound. Avoid any that have yellowing leaves or are wilted, as this is a sign of stress.
Money-saving tip: Stores like Walmart often have damaged or wilted plants on clearance. You can check these spots first to get a good discount. Additionally, buying later in the season often means that you can buy vegetables starts for half price.
Starting from seed
If you are interested in saving some money or your tastes fall more around the exotic, you may choose to grow your vegetables from seed.
This does require a little more work as well as patience. One of the benefits of starting your garden this way is that you have a much wider variety of vegetables to choose from. Companies such as Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and MI Gardener specialize in growing variations from all around the world.
To get started, you will need some supplies. These include:
-Seed trays or pots
-Potting mix
-Spray bottle
-Seeds
Once you have gathered your supplies, you are ready to start. Fill each pot with potting mix and water it until it is evenly moistened but not soggy. Plant your seeds according to the package instructions. Once they are planted, cover them with a thin layer of potting mix and water lightly.
Keep your seedlings in a warm, sunny spot and water as needed to keep the soil moist but not water-logged. If your house is dark or you don’t have a good south-facing window, you can find affordable grow lights on Amazon. When they have grown their first set of true leaves, you can transplant them into larger pots or your garden bed.
Money-saving tip: Stores, such as the Dollar Store, offers seed packets for $1. Additionally, you can make your own seed starting pots with newspapers, egg cartons, and even use toilet paper rolls.
Do you want an in-ground garden or to use raised beds?
This usually comes down to a personal preference. In-ground gardens are often easier (and cheaper!) to maintain. They can be less expensive as you don’t need to buy lumber or other materials. In fact, this can be as simple as digging a hole and planting a seed directly in the ground.
The downside of an in-ground garden is that it can be more difficult to control the quality of your soil. If you have rocky or clay ground, much as we do, it can be harder to grow vegetables. Many plants need not only proper nutrients but also adequate room for root growth.
Raised beds offer several benefits over in-ground gardens. They can be easier to weed and maintain as most roots grow best in loose, well-drained soil. Additionally, you can control the quality of your soil more easily by adding compost or other amendments.
Once again, this does come with a cost. While you can use reclaimed materials, a galvanized bed can run you anywhere from $50 to $100.
I have a good comparison of in-ground gardens and raised beds that can be found HERE.
Money-saving tip: Look on Facebook marketplace or free websites to find supplies. Avoid materials, such as old tires, that can leach chemicals into your soil. Most pressure-treated lumber is now safe to use although, in my opinion, you can’t beat the durability of old barn tin.
Planting Your Garden
The next step involves actually planting! Be sure to place your vegetables in an area where they can thrive. An easy rule of thumb is that if it blooms it needs full sun and, if it’s a root crop, it can tolerate partial shade. If needed, amend your soil with well-aged compost. This will help to improve the drainage and add nutrients.
As you are planting, be sure to give each plant enough room to grow. If you are direct sowing your seeds, you may need to thin your plants if they are too close together. Plants that don’t have adequate space fight for nutrients. While it may seem wasteful to pull a perfectly good seedling, plants that are too close together often become stunted and don’t produce much fruit. On the bright side, you can use thinnings from vegetables such as kale, lettuce, and radishes in salads or other dishes.
Spacing doesn’t have to be complicated. Below is a guide for some common garden vegetables:
Tomatoes: leave 12in-24in
Peppers: leave 12in-18in
Summer squash: leave 20in-30in
Winter squash: leave 30in-50in
Cucumbers: leave 12in-24in
Beans: leave 3in-6in
When in doubt, it’s better to leave more space as crowded plants decrease airflow which can lead to sickness. Once your plants are in the ground, water them well and mulch around them with straw, wood chips, or leaves. This will help to keep the weeds down and retain moisture in the soil.
Money-saving tip: watering by hand with a nozzle or wand can cost you a pretty penny! Drip systems are an easy way to bottom water and save. While they may cost you on the front end, many can be used for several seasons, and it very quickly pays for themselves.
Caring for your plants
When it comes to planting and caring for your garden, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, make sure to water your plants regularly and fertilize them according to their needs.
Plants should always be bottom watered. This means, that when you go to water your vegetables, you water only at the root. Too much water on the foliage may cause issues with disease and mildew.
If you are using new soil, your plants should have their nutrient needs met for approximately 8 weeks. After that, you may need to use fertilizers such as fish emulsion, bone/blood meal, or composted manure.
If your soil is over a season old, you will want to amend it before you plant your vegetables. This can be done easily by spreading 2-4inches of aged compost over the top of your row/bed. Be careful though- make sure our compost isn’t hot! If it is too young, it can burn your young plants. An easy way to check is to temp your compost before you spread it. If it’s over 160 degrees, it’s too hot to use.
Money-saving tip: If you, or someone you know, has rabbits use their poop! It is by far my favorite compost as it is “cold” and can go directly into the garden. It won’t ever burn your plants.
Garden pests and diseases
Last but not least, we need to talk about pests and diseases. These are inevitable in any garden but there are ways to avert and even combat them.
The first step is prevention. This can be done by rotating your crops and using row covers. Crop rotation helps to prevent disease build-up in the soil as well as reduce the chances of pests becoming an issue.
Row covers are a great way to keep pests from getting to your plants in the first place! They work by creating a barrier between your plants and the outside world. Just make sure to remove them when it comes time for pollination or you will end up with little (or no) fruit.
If you do have pests or diseases, there are a few organic methods you can try. These include things like Neem oil, diatomaceous earth, and ladybugs.
Neem oil is a great all-purpose insecticide that can be used to combat a wide variety of pests. Just be sure to follow the directions on the bottle and apply it in the evening to avoid harming bees.
Diatomaceous earth is another great option for combating pests. It works by dehydrating insects as they walk through it. Be sure to use food-grade diatomaceous earth if you have pets or children as there is a risk of respiratory irritation with non-food grade products.
Ladybugs are amazing little creatures that eat aphids, mites, whiteflies, and other small pests. You can purchase them online or at your local garden center. Just release them into your garden and let them do their thing!
What vegetables give the most bang for their buck?
If you are looking to save money, you will want to focus on vegetables that can give you more than one harvest. Root crops, such as radishes, beets, turnips, carrots, and kohlrabi limit you to one harvest; once you pull them, they are done.
Focusing on vegetables such as tomatoes, lettuce, kale, beans, squash, and cucumbers will give more than likely give you several harvests. Often, picking fruits/vegetables encourages productivity and healthy plants can give you food until your first frost.
What are you waiting for?
Growing your own food can be a great way to save money and provide yourself with fresh, nutritious produce, and cut down on your grocery bill. Just remember to start small, focus on the basics, and be patient! With a little time and effort, you can have a thriving garden in no time.
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