Plant a garden, harvest savingsSome "green thumbs" are taking an old-fashioned approach to soaring grocery bills by growing their own food.
Like people who planted "victory gardens" in response to World War II rationing, these frugal foodies are tending backyard plots of vegetables, fruits and herbs.
But can a tomato plant really save you more than $50?
It can, says Thomas Bewick, national program leader for horticulture of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service.
The key to sowing a money-saving harvest is to select vegetables, fruits and herbs that you truly enjoy eating, that grow easily without much work and that ripen before frost.
"If you harvest 30 pounds at $2 per pound, that plant is worth $60," he says. "But it only cost $2.90 to buy the plant, a few cents for water and 15 cents for the fertilizer."
A productive patch can really cut food costs, even after you account for the investment in gardening tools, seeds, water and time.
However, you have to choose the right crops and avoid foolish overspending to truly harvest savings.
Choose wisely, some foods are so inexpensive to buy at the store that planting them isn't worth your garden space.
Onions and potatoes are good examples of crops you usually can buy for a great price at a supermarket.
On the other hand, the cost of some foods quickly adds up at the checkout stand. Lettuce mixes, cherry tomatoes, peas and frequently used herbs all can be expensive. These plentiful producers are recommended for new gardeners.
Of course, regional growing conditions and market forces can change prices from year to year. For example, as ethanol production increases demand for corn, many analysts expect corn costs to spike this summer.
Gardening for groceries Not all vegetables and fruits take the same bite out of your wallet. Following is a list of the most expensive fresh produce to buy, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
Vegetables Fruits
• Mushrooms. • Blackberries.
• Collard greens. • Raspberries.
• Cherry tomatoes. • Cherries.
• Green peas. • Blueberries.
• Okra. • Apricots.
• Turnip greens. • Strawberries.
• Asparagus. • Pineapple.
• Mustard greens. • Grapes.
• Kale. • Plums.
• Cauliflower. • Avocados.
Dollars and senseTo make gardening worthwhile, you need to keep costs low.
Seeds are the least expensive option for your plot. Seed packets stay fresh for two to three years: Just keep them in a cool and dry place for next year.
But pay a fair price for seeds. With bargain seeds and off-brand seeds, the viability is questionable. In other words, the seeds may be stale or low-quality, and won't sprout.
Always check the seed packet to see when veggies will be ripe and ready. Some foods -- such as radishes -- make for a quick harvest. In 28 short days, you can pluck a bunch of radishes straight from the soil. They're basically just cultivated weeds.
The region of the country in which you live in may dictate how much water and fertilizer you need to use. Some foods also grow better in one region than another. Plant the wrong food for your location, and you could end up babying your plants until your savings disappear.
Also, don't spend a fortune on fancy gardening tools. Tools can be scrounged at garage sales and thrift shops.
To reduce your water bill, purchase a soaker hose (typically only around $10) and run it through the vegetable garden. Soaker hoses are perforated with tiny holes that allow water to seep out slowly and directly to the plant roots. This prevents you from wasting water through evaporation or runoff.
If you live in a high-humidity location, early morning watering is best. If humidity isn't a problem, water in the early evening. In either case, avoid the hottest part of the day, or the water will evaporate -- along with your savings.
Compost and mulching materials are also essential to a thriving, cost-efficient garden. Weaving compost into the soil is essential to healthy plant growth. It can be bought from commercial outlets and farmers, but you can also start your own compost bin to reduce waste and provide a low-cost source of nutrition for your vegetables and fruits.
Cutting waste American families throw out about 14 percent of their food -- around $590 worth per year -- according to a study from the University of Arizona. Gardening allows families to pick only what they need straight from the vine.
Flexible farmersPeople with small backyards often think gardening is not a viable option. But you don't need much dirt to put a dent in your food budget. A sunny 100-square-foot zone will provide a "salad bar" throughout summer, while a plot of land 8 feet by 24 feet can feed a family of four.
Apartment and condominium dwellers also can grow their own food by turning to container gardening.
Extend the harvestSmart gardening doesn't stop in summer. Many home gardeners preserve their crop for autumn and winter dining through one of two options: canning or freezing.
Canning is a lost art best learned from another expert, according to Doiron. Poorly canned food can lead to botulism poisoning. However, when done right, canned tomatoes, jarred jams and preserved peaches last for years.
While canning requires an upfront investment in jars and lids, everything can be reused for decades.
Freezing is the easiest and quickest method for preserving the modern family's garden.
Blueberries (do not rinse), strawberries, cherries and other fruits can be frozen after rinsing, while most vegetables require a quick blanch in boiling water before heading to the freezer. Cooks can prep tomato sauce and pesto in August, then freeze both for pasta night in November. Be sure to stick some of your vegetables into the deep freeze, including green beans, broccoli florets, sweet potatoes and sweet corn.
For more on how to freeze and how long frozen foods retain their freshness, see the USDA-funded National Center for Home Food Preservation Web site.
Learning curveMany successful gardeners agree that your first year might not produce a bumper crop. After all, there's a lot to learn about your soil and how it interacts with rain, sun and insects.
But by consulting with gardening sages and asking neighbors for advice, you won't need to bet the farm on a failing crop.
One type of local gardening expert -- known as a master gardener -- especially can boost your odds of success. These gardeners typically provide their help by e-mail or phone, rather than coming to your house.
For example, master gardeners can help identify the type of dirt in your garden (sand, clay or loam-based soil). Knowing this information helps them to treat the soil in a way that can increase your yield. To find a master gardener in your community, check out the American Horticultural Society Web site.
By Lora Shinn • Bankrate.com, contributions from Pat Munts of Spokane, Wash., a master gardener.
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