The cost of growing your own food by Gaby and Hans Wieland

The “cost of living” is in the news every day, the benefits of “growing your own food” much less. Apart from the health benefits for yourself and the planet, growing your own food, some of your own food or even just a few foods will save you money.

Here is just one example how we save money:
From as early as late April to mid October we harvest fresh fruit for our muesli every day: alpine strawberries, raspberries, and garden strawberries. The alpine strawberries are grown in seven pots in the polytunnel and some in our herb garden, raspberries are grown in an area of about 10 sqm and the garden strawberries in four fish boxes on the patio and ten plants in the polytunnel, different varieties ensure a long fruiting season. If we were to buy the amount we grow at a price of €5 for 2 we would spend about €375.

We are pretty sure everyone who grows their own will have noticed the difference, which is not just in money terms, but the freshness, the taste and nutrient content of the different foods. And if you do not have a garden, you can still grow in containers. At least you can buy seasonal and preserve when produce is cheap or you can support your local grower and farmer.

Here are a few more tips how to save money: