Don’t Pay Too Much! 4 Veggies You Should Rather Grow Yourself
Most of us think of fruits and vegetables as inexpensive, especially when comparing it to other food items like meat, cheese, or dairy. But there are certainly a few items in the fresh produce aisle that does not fit into the “affordable” category. Instead of paying too much, why not grow your own at home?
If you have limited space, you might be wondering which fruits and veg you should plant. And the answer is simple, decide which ones will give you more bang for your buck. In other words, choose fruits and vegetables you love to eat, and which would work out more expensive if you were to buy it at a store. It goes without saying that you should pick the plants that take up less space – in other words, a lemon tree might not be the best choice for an apartment! If, however, you have more space outside, your options are not as limited. Here are a few fruits and veggies you should consider:
Celery
Thanks to the juice trend, the price of celery has increased with about 300%! So if you like starting your meals with a mirepoix (celery, onion, and carrot), then perhaps you should consider planting your own celery. You don’t even need to buy seeds. Simply place a used celery base in a small amount of water until it starts to resprout. Once you see fresh new leaves, you can plant it in a small pot. It’s one of the easiest plants to freeze too. Simply chop it up and store it in a freezer Ziploc bag – no blanching necessary!
Kale
Another victim of the juicing and smoothie trend, kale’s popularity has soared so much, that it’s quite expensive when compared to other greens. Kale doesn’t need a lot of space (perfect for a small apartment) and they have a high yield (which means a lot of kale!). If you are a fan of kale, consider growing your own.
Lettuce
You might not think these leafy greens are that expensive, but considering how cheap they are to grow, you’re likely paying way more than you should. One packet of seeds will easily provide you with months of fresh lettuce, which means there will always be something green on your plate.
Bell peppers
Bell peppers can very easily become overpriced, especially if you want to buy red peppers. These are more expensive, due to the longer ripening times. They’re relatively easy to grow. If you want to grow them in a pot, you’d need a pot that’s at least 10 inches deep with sufficient drainage holes.
Even if you live in a small space, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to grow your own food. Try one of these veggies!
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