You Can Grow $700 of Food in 100 Square Feet!

One way to save an enormous amount of money, engage in soul-enriching work that truly is fun and refreshing, and boost your health (both by being active and eating well) is to grow food in a home garden — which takes less space than you might think. Here’s one perfect example. Long-time gardener and author Rosalind Creasy took a 5-by-20-foot section of garden bed by her tiny lawn to see how much she could grow in just that 100 square feet. The results are astounding.

She planted two tomato plants (‘Better Boy’ and ‘Early Girl’), four bell pepper varieties, four zucchini plants, four basils (expensive in stores but essential in the kitchen), and 18 lettuces (six ‘Crisp Mint’ romaine, six ‘Winter Density’ romaine and six ‘Sylvestra’ butterheads).

Cathy Wilkinson Barash, who worked on the project with Creasy, created spreadsheets for each type of plant, and the two gardeners kept meticulous records each time they harvested. They recorded every amount — both in pounds and ounces, as well as number of fruits (for each cultivar of tomato, zucchini and pepper) or handfuls (for lettuces and basil).

To determine what the harvest would cost in the market, Creasy began checking out equivalent organic produce prices in midsummer. On a single day in late August, she harvested 49 tomatoes, nine peppers, 15 zucchinis of many sizes, and three handfuls of basil — which would have totaled $136 at her market that day.

The total value of the summer trial garden harvest was $746.52. In order to get a fair picture, she subtracted the cost of seeds, plants and compost, which added up to $63.09. That left $683.43 in savings on fresh vegetables. Of course, prices vary throughout the season and throughout the country. Creasy lives in northern California, and for comparison, Barash, who lives in Iowa, checked out her prices and figured the same amount of organic produce in her area would be worth $975.18!

For the complete story of Creasy and Barash’s amazing summer gardening experience, read $700 of Food in 100 Square Feet.

For tips on saving money as you garden, check out Gardening on a Budget: Seven Tips for Success.

Photo from Fotolia

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Maija S.

1:15PM PST on Feb 10, 2012

This is inspiring! I'm adding some more raised beds come spring. I ought to count and weigh my own produce over the season! Thank you.

send a green star

Eternal G.

7:21PM PST on Jan 31, 2012

It's true!

Laura S.

11:57AM PST on Jan 29, 2012

Wow, that's great for you. I wish to grow garden, but I'm not green thumb. I was hoping for tips how to do it, haha, oh well.

Sarah M.

11:53PM PST on Jan 23, 2012

thanks

Debbie C.

4:54AM PST on Jan 19, 2012

oopps!!! I meant 2012 will be better.

4:52AM PST on Jan 19, 2012

We plant a small garden every year. 2011 was not a good year. It rained almost every day in the spring. We were gone on vacation and then had a funeral. It was the beginning of June before we even got our garden out. Then, more friggin' rain all summer.

We usually give our neighbors tomatoes, green peppers, zuchinni, and yellow squash. One of our neigbors even gave us a few of her tomatoes before ours got ripe. Sad year. Hopefully 2112 will be better.

Melinda K.

4:17PM PST on Jan 18, 2012

The amount of money saved is a real eye opener. The effects on health of home grown foods is pretty enormous as well.

Kathy P.

12:33PM PST on Jan 17, 2012

i love it :)

Beth M.

8:14AM PST on Jan 17, 2012

Our soil in Colorado is horrible. Pots work best for us. Gonna try more pots of veggies this coming summer.

George M.

6:47AM PST on Jan 16, 2012

Why is this article under Spiritual Inspiration?