Save on Produce by Growing it at Home

By: | News Channel 7
Published: May 01, 2009

Want to save one hundred dollars a month on groceries? More people are saving money by growing their own produce in a garden at home. Now that Spring is here, the season is ripe to start saving money.

With a name like Jessi Spring, this woman was born to garden. Said Jessi, "It's very easy. You stick it in the ground and it grows."

Jessi started growing all the vegetables her family needs. "I'm growing many different types of crops. Spinach, carrots, pretty much any vegetable that will do well in this area. I'm trying black beans."

She was tired of paying grocery store prices. "It's $3.99 I believe for asparagus a pound. That's a little ridiculous so I'm growing some down there."

Jessi built a square foot garden in a planter box for about $100, but she makes that money back. Said Jessi, "I do expect to save maybe $15 a week on produce alone."

Clemson University Extension Agent Cory Tanner says more first time gardeners are digging in. Said Tanner, "We're seeing way more interest in edible landscapes than we ever have, that I can remember."

Tanner says you'll need to invest about $100 dollars to start, "for the materials, that's including your lumber, soil, compost, plants, seeds and everything."

And it is a little work. Said Jessi, "I come out here every day and I spend about two minutes or so watering everything and pull out all the weeds and put them in my compost bin."

But Jessi loves growing greens for her family, and saving green. "If we got a cow out here, we'd be in business!"

Don't have a green thumb? The Clemson University Extension Service can test your soil for six dollars to determine what nutrients you'll need. The Extension Service also offers gardening classes.

Here is a link to information on gardening classes:

Here is a link to Clemson's Home and Garden Informatin Center for more gardening information.