Local Food on a Budget Series: Grow Your Own

A common complaint from would-be local food consumers is that it's just too darn expensive to buy the full array of local produce, meats, dairy, and other groceries. In the next couple posts, I'll be exploring some ways to eat locally while on a budget, which is what I strive to do. I am not a purist by any means, but am increasingly concerned and conscious about where my food comes from, as well as with supporting my local economy.

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Perhaps in response to the recession, or the combination of the economic climate and the local food movement, the number of home gardeners and seed sales has increased rather dramatically over the past year. After all, what's more local than your own backyard? Growing your own produce to supplement your grocery shopping is a great way to combine local eating and working with a limited budget. While it is true that gardening can be expensive, it by no means has to be, and you can reap a small harvest on the cheap quite easily.

To keep start-up costs down, sign up for a plot in your local community garden. Plots often come in a variety of sizes, and if this is your first year gardening you may decide that a smaller plot is a little more manageable and less daunting. Community gardens often offer scholarships for those who can't afford the full price of a plot, and also provide communal tools, water, and demonstrations for beginning gardeners. If you have the space, you could build raised beds or till a garden space in your yard, but often such projects benefit from the addition of good soil and compost, which can sometimes be pricey. If you want to keep things really simple, try a couple of container gardens and plant a bunch of tomatoes or other vegetables that you'll eat a lot of throughout the summer. Herbs are also great to grow in container gardens, since they jazz up any kitchen creation and are expensive to buy in the grocery store.

When it comes to seeds, shop around, and buy varieties you know you'll eat. To save money, swap or barter for seeds or plants with friends or community members. In general it's much cheaper to start your own seeds rather than buy seedlings, although certain plants are a bit more difficult to start. With a little bit of potting soil, plenty of water and light, you can grow tons of seedlings in recycled containers.

When you start to harvest your vegetables, you can trade with other farmers for varieties that you might not have grown, and if you grow enough, you can make some of your bounty last year round by canning, pickling, and saving seeds. Growing your own fruits and vegetables can save you big money if you do it wisely and creatively, and there are tons of resources out there that will help you make the most of your very own local food harvest.