I spent about $60 in seeds earlier this year and harvested about $15 worth of tomatoes, squashes, radishes, carrots, and green beans :) (it was a test to see what would grow in my limited sunlight garden area; this year I hope to only spend $15 on seeds to get $15 of produce :) )
After the first year, you shouldn't have to buy seeds ever again. Seed saving works. My parents bought collard seeds one time, and they then had a lifetime supply in a cloth bag hanging on the wall. Buy heirloom varieties. Saving seeds, planting in the same area year after year, and then saving more seeds from the best fruits adapts your seeds to your yard's microclimate. My father grew almost all the vegetables we ate when I was growing up.
The first year was a test. I used an above ground pool as my "protected garden". I put kiddie pools inside it with soil to make six individual plots. It keeps ALL critters out (so far; deer were my biggest concern). Unfortunately, it is sun limited, but I will try to start seeds earlier this year to hopefully improve the output.
I saw an ingenious fencing method for keeping out deer which allows you to fence in a huge area at very little expense. You put metal fence posts at each corner of your garden area and then one or two extra along the long sides, depending on how large the garden is. Then string at least 30 pound test fishing line around at about 1 foot apart up to around 3 or 4 feet high. The deer bump up against it and can't push through. Also, if they back up to get a running start to jump over it, they can't see the line at that point so they're afraid to try and jump it. They claim it works very well.
Remember to plant seeds when it's the right time. For example, tomatoes and okra are tropical plants and won't grow until it's warm. Years ago, I planted some tomato plants in April, and they just sat there without growing a bit until June. Then they took off and gave me a lot of tomatoes.
Of course growing your own is cheaper. A hoe, shovel, and rake are about the only required tools. Buy heirloom seeds one time only and save seeds thereafter. If you are in the country, use a burn barrel to burn trash. Use the ashes by spreading them down between your rows of tomatoes. Compost all your yard waste, garden plants after all the harvest is done, eggshells, and coffee grounds to use as fertilizer. Find someone with horses and offer to take some horse manure off their hands and compost that at home for your garden.
I'd say little more than $200 in one-time expenses and some hard work will supply all your vegetables forever. I would also plant some fruit trees. Once established, they will bear for many years without much work.
When all is said and done I wonder if growing your own is really cheaper
I spent about $60 in seeds earlier this year and harvested about $15 worth of tomatoes, squashes, radishes, carrots, and green beans :) (it was a test to see what would grow in my limited sunlight garden area; this year I hope to only spend $15 on seeds to get $15 of produce :) )
After the first year, you shouldn't have to buy seeds ever again. Seed saving works. My parents bought collard seeds one time, and they then had a lifetime supply in a cloth bag hanging on the wall. Buy heirloom varieties. Saving seeds, planting in the same area year after year, and then saving more seeds from the best fruits adapts your seeds to your yard's microclimate. My father grew almost all the vegetables we ate when I was growing up.
Keep trying, buy heirloom, and save seeds.
The first year was a test. I used an above ground pool as my "protected garden". I put kiddie pools inside it with soil to make six individual plots. It keeps ALL critters out (so far; deer were my biggest concern). Unfortunately, it is sun limited, but I will try to start seeds earlier this year to hopefully improve the output.
I saw an ingenious fencing method for keeping out deer which allows you to fence in a huge area at very little expense. You put metal fence posts at each corner of your garden area and then one or two extra along the long sides, depending on how large the garden is. Then string at least 30 pound test fishing line around at about 1 foot apart up to around 3 or 4 feet high. The deer bump up against it and can't push through. Also, if they back up to get a running start to jump over it, they can't see the line at that point so they're afraid to try and jump it. They claim it works very well.
Remember to plant seeds when it's the right time. For example, tomatoes and okra are tropical plants and won't grow until it's warm. Years ago, I planted some tomato plants in April, and they just sat there without growing a bit until June. Then they took off and gave me a lot of tomatoes.
Of course growing your own is cheaper. A hoe, shovel, and rake are about the only required tools. Buy heirloom seeds one time only and save seeds thereafter. If you are in the country, use a burn barrel to burn trash. Use the ashes by spreading them down between your rows of tomatoes. Compost all your yard waste, garden plants after all the harvest is done, eggshells, and coffee grounds to use as fertilizer. Find someone with horses and offer to take some horse manure off their hands and compost that at home for your garden.
I'd say little more than $200 in one-time expenses and some hard work will supply all your vegetables forever. I would also plant some fruit trees. Once established, they will bear for many years without much work.