A lot of people think and believe gardening is a pastime indulged by those who are past their primes, to make their homes look good. The truth, however, couldn’t be further from this fallacy. Gardening is an activity that humans have practiced for thousands of years and has a plethora of advantages that has cemented its place in our history. From burning a ton of calories to reducing blood pressure to finding relief from daily stress, the benefits of gardening form a long list familiar to those with a green thumb. But the most enriching association with gardening occurs when it becomes a source of your food. When that happens, you will find yourself eating healthier while making substantial savings on the food you buy.

When people get into gardening, they may quickly get a rude shock on the initial costs associated with the project. Fertilizers, tools and equipment, water, pesticides, and the like cost money and do not come cheap. The expenses may quickly add up if one is not careful or is unaware about what they are doing. But any experienced gardener will tell you that if you follow some of the best practices, in the long run, the benefits outweigh the costs every time.

1. How to reduce costs
To start with, you need to consider ways to reduce your costs while maximizing your output. Leafy greens are a good place to start. They are very easy to grow and can save you hundreds of dollars over a couple of months. If you are a salad lover or just new to the gardening game, leafy greens can be ideal to grow. Green beans, cherry tomatoes, and herbs are some others that come into a similar category.

A lot of processed foods have chemicals that can harm you or cause you to have an adverse reaction to them. Just by growing your own food, you cut off a lot of ways your food can be processed or polluted by germs. A healthier life means a lesser hospital bill, which in turn equals money saved.

2. Which vegetables should one grow?
While growing your favorite foods, always remember to include vegetables that can be easily preserved. Potatoes, onions, and sweet potatoes can be easily stored for months while cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, and beets can be stored by freezing. Growing vegetables that are expensive to buy in the supermarkets is another way to save money. Spinach, broccoli, peppers, carrots, and many more belong to this category.

Before you start off with any sort of gardening, it is very important to do your own research and formulate a plan. It is best to first decide which vegetables you will grow in your garden. You can further reduce your expenses by using rainwater harvesting techniques, and adding compost and manure to enrich the soil. Start small and build your confidence and expertise over time as your garden gets bigger. Finally, remember to have fun, get involved with the gardening community, and share your successes and learnings with others like you.