As food prices have been climbing, more families are growing their own food to save on grocery bills. In the article in Michigan’s Grand Rapids Press, Sandy Ryan, a spokeswoman for the United States Gardening Association was quoted as saying: “The number of home gardens in the U.S. has increased steadily since World War II, but it appears more folks are starting to grow vegetables at home to save money on groceries. For example, a $1 tomato plant can give you $10 worth of tomatoes. That’s based on $2 a pound in the store.”
For the last five years, each spring, the Garden Writers Association has used a polling firm to conduct a national consumer survey, asking gardeners what is the biggest component of their garden budgets. According to an article in the New York Times, it typically has been lawns, annuals, and then vegetables. This year, however, the Times reported that vegetables went from fourth to second place. As costs have risen, more and more consumers are looking for ways to cut some corners and save money.