Frugal Homesteading Blog

I began a container garden last month, and was dismayed to realize once the foliage came in for real, I have almost no sun in my yard. This is our first spring in our home, and I was hoping for the best.

Then, as fortune would have it, I noticed my neighbor has a huge sunny yard and garden area. I complimented him on the huge yard, and he mentioned that he didn’t have time to put in a garden this year, and that I was welcome to use his garden plot.

So now I am enjoying my backyard gardening adventure … in someone else’s backyard. I’ve planted ten heirloom tomato plants, four cucumber vines, a half dozen pepper plants and nine cantaloupes. I have a whole row of sweet corn in and my sister planted four rows of pole beans. I also have 175 onions planted and squash and zucchini and pumpkins, many still seedlings that need to be transplanted.

My sister and I are working together on the garden, and look forward to a summer of fresh, organically grown produce … for pennies a pound, compared to the expensive produce in the stores and even at the farmers’ markets.

Gardening is one way that I live more frugally. Frugal living is back in vogue as of late, and for many families, finding ways to stretch a dollar has taken on new importance.

Growing your own garden means budget meals can be more nutritious and enjoyable. A summer meal of garden salad, fresh tomatoes and sweet corn costs very little when you grow it yourself. Add in hamburgers and homemade rolls and you’re still eating very cheaply.

Do you have a garden this year? How do you incorporate home grown or locally grown produce into your budget meal plan?