13 Fruits & Veggies That Make Home Gardening a Wise Financial Decision
Home gardening isn’t just a quaint hobby — it can be a smart financial rebellion against the high costs, questionable freshness, sketchy growing practices, and reduced nutrition of store-bought produce.
Why waste money and compromise on quality when you can cultivate a garden bursting with fruits and vegetables right in your backyard? From the unmatched flavor of freshly picked tomatoes to the long-term savings from perennial asparagus and storable onions, growing your own food challenges the status quo of food consumption.
Onions
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Onions might be cheap to buy and a controversial choice, but if you make a lot of bone broths, stocks, soups, and stews, you’re likely going through a ton. And organic onions can get expensive fast.
Onions are a cost-effective choice for any home gardener due to their significant storage potential, particularly when selecting varieties bred for long-term storage, such as ‘Stuttgarter’, ‘Copra’, and ‘Yellow Globe’. These types can be harvested at the end of the growing season and stored for several months in a cool, dry place, ensuring a steady supply throughout the winter.
Onions are relatively easy to grow from seeds, sets, or transplants and require minimal maintenance once established.
Squash
Both summer and winter varieties of squash provide high yields from just a few plants. Squash grows vigorously and can produce ample produce that can be stored throughout the winter, particularly varieties like butternut and acorn squash.
Garlic
Garlic is simple to plant and requires little care beyond basic watering and weeding. Each clove planted in the fall grows into a full bulb by the summer, providing a supply that can last many households through several months when stored properly.
Learn More: All You Need to Know About Planting Garlic In Fall
Asparagus
Asparagus is a perennial vegetable that, once established, can produce for 20 years or more from the same plants. The initial investment and patience required to allow the plants to establish over the first 3 years are offset by the high cost of asparagus in stores, especially organic.
Learn More: How To Grow Asparagus From Crowns (Complete Guide)
Lettuce and Salad Greens
Lettuce, spinach, and other salad greens can be harvested multiple times throughout their growing season. They grow quickly and do not require as much sunlight as some other vegetables, making them ideal for cooler climates or partial shade conditions. Continual harvesting ensures fresh greens without the expense and plastic waste of store-bought salad mixes.
Learn More: Effortlessly Grow an Endless Salad Garden All Season Long
Herbs
Growing herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley, and mint is incredibly economical. These herbs require minimal space and can be grown in small containers or window boxes, making them accessible even for those with limited outdoor space. By growing your own, you can harvest what you need, reducing waste and eliminating the need to buy expensive fresh herbs from the store.
Learn More: 12 Culinary Herbs to Grow For Passionate Home Cooks
Tomatoes
Homegrown tomatoes, especially organic and specialty types like heirloom varieties, cost less overall than store-bought. They also taste better because they are harvested at peak ripeness. Tomatoes can be grown in gardens, raised beds, or containers and yield a significant amount of fruit from just a few plants.
Learn More: 15 Secrets To Growing Killer Tomatoes This Season
Berries
Berry plants like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries can be more expensive to purchase initially, but they are perennial, meaning they come back year after year. Berries are typically expensive to buy fresh, and growing your own can lead to significant savings, particularly if you have space for a few bushes.
Plant them along fences and towards the back of your property.
Learn More: 35 Intriguing Berries to Grow in Your Garden
Bell Peppers
These are another high-yield, high-cost savings vegetable. Bell peppers are relatively easy to grow and do well in warmer climates. Growing a mix of colors can beautify your garden and your plate, providing a fresh supply of peppers throughout the summer and early fall.
Learn More: 15 Secrets & Strategies For Your Best Pepper Harvest Yet
Fruit Trees
Fruit trees such as apple, pear, and cherry require more space and a longer-term investment, but they provide substantial cost savings over time. The initial cost of purchasing and planting a tree is quickly outweighed by the annual yield of fresh fruit, which can be quite expensive to buy, especially organic varieties.
If you’re constrained by space or climate, you can grow dwarf stock and even grow fruit trees in pots.
Fruit trees add value to your property and can be a source of shade and beauty.
Learn More: 9 Fruit Trees You Can Grow In Pots
Carrots
Carrots are a valuable addition to any home garden due to their versatility and long storage life. They can be planted early in the spring for a first crop. A second crop can be grown immidietly after and left in the ground until needed, or harvested and stored in a cool, dry place for several months.
Growing a variety of carrots, including different colors such as orange, purple, and yellow, can enhance the nutritional value and visual appeal of dishes. Carrots require minimal maintenance beyond thinning the seedlings and keeping the soil moist. The cost savings are considerable when growing carrots at home, especially organic ones, which are more expensive in stores.
Learn More: 15 Carrot Growing Secrets For Your Best Harvest Ever
Potatoes
Potatoes are a staple in many households and are surprisingly simple to grow. They yield a substantial crop that can significantly cut grocery costs. One of the greatest advantages of growing potatoes is their storage potential. Once harvested, potatoes can be stored in a cool, dark place for several months. This long storage life allows you to enjoy your home-grown potatoes throughout the winter months.
With the right conditions, a small plot of potatoes can provide a plentiful supply, making them an extremely cost-effective crop for home gardeners.
Learn More: 15 Proven Techniques For Your Best Potato Growing Year Ever
Green Beans
Green beans are another excellent choice for home gardens due to their nutritional value and ease of growing. They are a good source of vitamins A, C, K, and fibers. Green beans can be harvested throughout the summer and are perfect for canning or freezing, which preserves their nutritional benefits and allows you to enjoy them long after the growing season has ended.
The versatility in preservation methods makes green beans particularly appealing for those looking to maximize their garden’s yield and ensure a steady supply of healthy vegetables year-round.
Learn More: 14 Essential Tips for a Bountiful Bean Harvest This Season
Perennial Plants
Learn More: 19 Edible Perennials To Grow For Self-Sufficiency
What Is A Survival Garden?
Learn More: Ultimate Survival Garden Guide {27 Best Crops}
