Thrifty Strategy- Gardening

Yummy salad made with homegrown lettuce

We had some friends in town this weekend and they brought us several delicious things from their garden; leaf lettuce, strawberries, and even some early sweet peas. As the summer continues they will start harvesting jalapenos, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and several other vegetables. Gardening is a great way to spend time outdoors,  get some exercise, and get wholesome food for less.

The most cost-effective way to start a vegetable garden is by planting seeds rather than buying seedlings at the garden store. Certain varieties, such as tomatoes, take a long time to grow from seed and need to be begun indoors at the end of winter. Other seeds, such as lettuce and radishes, can be planted outdoors once the threat of frost has passed. Also, gardeners are often willing to give away their extra seedlings, some even post them on Craigslist.

If you have limited outdoor space or limited time to create and maintain a garden, flower boxes or flowerpots are a great option. Herbs, radishes, and even tomatoes can be grown this way.

Some Gardening Resources:
Better Homes and Gardens
Gardenguides.com
Square Foot Gardening