10 Easy Foods You Can Grow At Home To Save on Groceries

We’ve covered a lot of ground with groceries being expensive but we haven’t touched on foods you can grow at home. There are loads of vegetables that thrive up here in the Great White North, and if you have, beg, borrow or steal some space to grow them, you’re going to save a bundle on your grocery bill.

Before you object and insist you are not a green thumb, the foods you can grow that I will tell you about in this post are all easy to find as young plants, or grow easily from just dropping a seed in the ground. Not only that, but they’re also easy to care for as long as you have access to water and something to remind yourself every day. Is a five-minute daily visit to the backyard worth saving money on your grocery bill? It is for me!

Here are ten of the simplest, most foolproof foods to grow at home and save money on your grocery bill:

1. Peppers

If you’re like me, you love peppers of any kind, from anywhere. The spicier the better, though even if you just adore the sweet taste of a red bell, peppers are totally worth growing. You can grab young pepper plants just about anywhere that sells plants and you can just transfer them to a garden bed where they will get lots of sun. Closer to fall, you’re going to start getting the most flavourful peppers to use in your dishes every night, filling them with flavour. Just remember to water them every day!

2. Cucumbers

Started from seed, these versatile veggies will produce a ton of food for you and your family. Get going in spring, plant them around 40 inches apart and water every day. Great for pickles and salads and sandwiches and dips like tzatziki.

3. Zucchini

This awesome veggie has a lot of great uses many don’t think of. Replacing your lasagna noodles with lengthwise slices of zucchini is absolutely delicious or even just zucchini sticks for a great dinner. Just as easy as anything you could grow at home and zucchini plants yield a ton of veg!

4. Carrots

Pretty much as easy as throwing seeds in the ground where they’ll get some sun and watering them every day. Carrots make great side dishes and will keep you snacking all day long with a tzatziki dip made from your cukes.

5. Radishes

Again, a seed in the ground is going to grow with daily water and sun and very little effort. These are fantastic added to your peppers and carrots in a stir-fry.

6. Green Beans

This is the plant your kids end up growing at school because they are literally toddler proof. If you can’t grow these, you likely live in Antarctica.

7. Tomatoes

Grab yourself some young plants from your local garden center and put them in your flower bed. Water daily and enjoy the sweetest, juiciest tomatoes you’ve ever had.

8. Lettuce

Any sort of lettuce green is going to be easy to grow. You can plant them as seeds or just grab some young lettuce at your local garden center and put it in your garden. Kale is a great option, because it’s hearty and makes a great soup, and is hard to kill even if you don’t water it every day.

9. Herbs

There are many herbs you can plant just once and have year after year. Sage will survive the winter, as will oregano, thyme, mint and chives. Plant ‘em once and enjoy fresh herbs forever!

10. Beets

These root veggies are amazing in a salad with a little goat cheese and a homemade vinaigrette. They are super easy to grow as well and are a twofer, too! You can eat both the root and the leaves!

If you plant all ten of these, you’re looking at some serious savings when it comes to your grocery bill come harvest time. The deeper flavours, connection with nature, and local eating are all bonuses that shouldn’t be overlooked, either. So, get out there this spring and plant some veggies that you and your wallet will love!

Which foods do you grow at home? Let us know in the comments!