I read an article the other day on the $64 dollar tomato. I thought it was interesting, because I’ve probably spent 30 bucks growing a single tomato…I thought I’d do my own list of things that you can grow yourself that may save you money. Of course, if you’re like me, you’re always finding some new plant you have to try, you need more dirt, more mulch, some special new organic bug killer, etc. But I’ve found the following provide a decent return of eats!

Fruits:

All three of these are mighty expensive items to buy in the grocery store. The good news is that they are easy to grow. The plants are relatively inexpensive. Look to see which types do well in your area, especially with blueberries.

Blueberries – easy to care for. They basically require water. If your soil isn’t acidic enough, you might have to get some pellets and add to the soil once a year. Not hard at all and not expensive. If you have two bushes, you will more than reap the cost of the plant.  (Some blueberries require two bushes to pollinate properly.)

Raspberries – pretty easy, but can be invasive. They will grow wherever there is enough damp/water. You can grow early and late varieties and have them for a longer period.

Blackberries – pretty easy, but can be invasive and the thorned kind may reach out and grab you. I’ve also had some varieties that aren’t all that sweet so do your homework before putting these in.

Melons:

One plant can easily grow enough melons for a family–whether you’re talking pumpkins, honeydews, cantaloupe or watermelons. They all need plenty of water and plenty of space, but you get lots per plant, so you should be able to grow enough to recoup your costs, and save money compared to store costs.  You can cultivate favors by giving the extra away to the neighbors!

Cucumbers:

Same as melons–one plant should keep you in cucumbers for the season. I recommend growing at least two if you have the room because if one dies, you still have a good chance of enough cucumbers to eat and give away. Cucumbers run about 50 cents a piece in the store in Texas when they are in season so you only need to grow one or two to break even on the cost of the seeds. A couple more and you pay for the dirt or fertilizer (and I do recommend fertilizing cucumbers!)

Zuchini:

I don’t even like zuchini much, but as an investment, it has large returns if the plant makes it. One plant produces enough for the family and to give away (or sell). I grow the bush type so it doesn’t take up quite as much room as the vine type. I’ve lost a crop or two to cutworms, but when a plant makes it, I get about 3 to 6 zuchinis a week all summer long.

Tomatoes:

Tomatoes take a little more care. They get all kinds of bugs, beetles and spider mites. Just when you get rid of one kind, another bug takes its place. But they are well-worth growing. You’ll get several beauties from any single plant. You can grow early varieties, mid-season and late varieties–and they come in many sizes. I recommend a good ferilizer for these as well, so yes, you put a little more money into them, but the return is pretty good. You can freeze them, can them, give them away or make sauce and freeze the sauce. There are varieties that last quite long fresh also. And given the price in the stories (anywhere from abot 1.09 to 3.99 a pound in Texas) it’s not hard to earn back your initial costs. They are a popular item so grow enough to give away. Once people find out you have them, you will have no shortage of volunteers to take extra off your hands.

Beans:

Snap peas and snow peas: You only need about four handfuls to break even on these veggies. They are so expensive in the store, that three or four plants easily give you back your investment.  These do not require fertilizer, but watch for aphids and spider mites!

Most green beans are easy to grow and you get so many beans per plant, they are a good garden investment. You’ll need about five plants to have enough beans coming ripe at the same time so that you have enough for a meal.

Fruit Trees

Any kind of fruit tree usually pays for itself within a few years.  You may have to spray for bugs once a year or so, but peaches and cherries, if they make it through late freezes, easily pay for themselves.  Grow one or two of your favorite fruits and you get a shade tree and maybe some free eats!

I chose to grow pecans.  I won’t see any “fruits” for at least ten years. Most trees produce after they are about 4 years old.  The larger the tree, the more you pay, so hedge your bet: pick a strong young one and be prepared to wait!

 The good news is that once you get started, the costs do get better.  You only need to put in the raised bed once and each year you can add less dirt.  Of course, if you’re like me and you expand every year…