Is growing vegetables cheaper than buying them? (2024)

FAQs

Is growing vegetables cheaper than buying them? ›

While starting vegetables from seed may save the most money, buying plants may also save some money depending on the amount yielded. “Growing a garden has the potential to reduce the amount of money spent on groceries.

When done correctly, even the smallest backyard plot can produce copious amounts of fruits and vegetables and possibly even a significant saving to the grocery budget. However, it takes time and patience, and a small outlay of money to buy seeds, and tools, if you need them.

Fresh Food

Plus, homegrown produce does not endure rough shipping conditions to get to the shelf. This process affects flavor, texture, and amount of beneficial nutrients found in the fruit or vegetable. So, not only does fresh produce make your food taste better, it is also more beneficial for the body.

WILL A FOOD GARDEN REALLY SAVE MONEY? The average household with a food garden will spend $70 a year for seeds and garden supplies; but will reap $600 worth of food. That's a $530 return on your investment. With food costs skyrocketing you can expect even greater returns in 2023.

Deterioration starts as soon as crops are harvested, so homegrown and locally grown produce that gets to your table fast offer more nutrients than produce that travels over time and distance.

Buying a seedling or mature plant will run you anywhere from $4 to $8, but will get you those red beauties much faster, and since you'll still get at least around eight pounds worth of tomatoes, you'll be saving yourself about $3 per pound.

One of the most common questions people have about growing your own food is whether it's cheaper than buying it from the grocery store. While there are some upfront costs associated with starting a garden (such as seeds, soil, and tools), growing your own food can be cheaper in the long run.

Growing all—or even a portion—of your own vegetables and herbs at home pays you back in freshness and convenience. You'll save money by eating what you grow and making fewer trips to the grocery store.

Admittedly, it's hard work, it's dirty, it's buggy, and getting started can be expensive. In spite of all that, the countless pros of growing a garden easily outweigh the handful of negatives.

Almost anything you cook from scratch will cost less and be healthier than processed, canned, or frozen versions of the same food.

Is gardening an expensive hobby? ›

Gardening can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be. These money-saving tips from industry insiders will dramatically cut the costs – from getting plants for free, to a touch of DIY. It's easy to overspend on gardening – buying costly plants, treatments, and equipment.

If you grow $100 worth of vegetables per bed, you're starting to make a dent in your budget. If you can harvest $160 worth of vegetables per bed, and you have six small beds, then you're talking serious money – as much as $800 a year, after the prorated expenses needed to build the beds.

“The costs for commodity crops are related and impacted, thus the cost of specialty crops like vegetables also increase,” Bodor said. Growers and processors are also coping with other factors like the high costs of cold storage, fertilizer and labor, she said.

While starting vegetables from seed may save the most money, buying plants may also save some money depending on the amount yielded. “Growing a garden has the potential to reduce the amount of money spent on groceries.

It reduces carbon emissions.

In fact, much of what we typically buy travels an average of 1500 miles in the US. Products imported from around the globe obviously travel much farther. Clearly, if you are growing your own fruits and vegetables, there are no carbon emissions.

Well, starter plants are certainly more expensive than a packet of seeds. Sometimes one single starter plant can cost the same as a package of 200 seeds of the same plant. So, while starter plants may save you a lot of time, seeds will save you a little cash. Another factor to consider is available variety.