Want to save money on groceries? Start a vegetable garden.

Fretting about rising grocery prices has become a national pastime, as people scramble to find ways to shop without breaking the bank. As a result, social media is packed with posts from people talking about how to navigate higher-than-usual food costs on a budget.

It’s a real issue facing many Americans. The Consumer Price Index, which is a measure of economy-wide inflation, is up 3% from January 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food prices in particular have been hit hard: They’re up 2.5% over January 2024 and have increased 0.6% from December 2024 to January 2025.

And it doesn’t look like things are going to get better any time soon. The USDA predicts that prices for food will jump up another 3.4% this year. While it can be tricky to navigate certain food cost issues, like the skyrocketing cost of eggs, there’s one possible solution that can help: Start your own vegetable garden — a suggestion that comes up a lot on social media.

Given that spring is one of the best times of the year to create a garden, it’s almost time to get started. But gardening experts say it’s important to approach this project in the right way if you’re trying to save money by cultivating your own plants. Here’s how to do it in a budget-friendly way.

How can gardening help to save on groceries?

There are a few ways gardening can help lower your grocery bill, and a lot comes down to off-setting the costs you would otherwise spend at the store.

“Produce prices are expected to increase a lot this year. Leafy greens, lettuce, microgreens, garlic, herbs and chile peppers are especially pricey,” horticulturist Jon Traunfeld, director of the Home & Garden Information Center at the University of Maryland, tells Yahoo Life. “Growing them can reduce food bills.”

He says that planting one or two basil plants can provide with all the fresh basil you’ll need through the growing season, along with plenty to dry and store for later use. “One or two serrano or habanero plants will produce enough peppers to make jars of salsa and sauces,” Traunfeld says. “And you can freeze the extras.”

Having your own garden can even help you get the most out of the produce you eat, Wendy Wilber, master gardener program coordinator at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, tells Yahoo Life. “You can harvest just what you need for that meal,” she say. “Because you are harvesting what you need, when you need it, there is much less produce wasted.”

The cost savings can be especially good for fans of organic produce, which are usually more expensive than products grown with synthetic pesticides, Alessandro Ossola, agronomist and assistant professor at University of California, Davis, tells Yahoo Life. But he also points out that everyone can enjoy the savings. “A vegetable garden can help save an average family hundreds of dollars each year,” Ossola says.

Of course, getting a garden started from scratch requires some investment on your end. Depending on how big you decide to go, you may not see huge savings right away, Timothy Coolong, professor of horticulture and extension vegetable specialist at the University of Georgia, tells Yahoo Life. However, he says the savings can add up over time. “For established gardeners, they can save considerably,” Coolong says.

What do you need to start a garden?

You don’t need a large plot of land to make this work for you. “Edible plants can be grown in the yard directly in clean soil or otherwise in pots on a balcony, in raised beds on the porch or even in small containers on windowsills indoors,” Ossola says. “You can start small and give it a try for a handful of dollars.”

If you’re choosing a spot in your yard, it’s important to look for a space that will get at least eight hours of sunlight, Zack Snipes, assistant program team leader of horticulture at Clemson Cooperative Extension Service, tells Yahoo Life. “Plants need sunlight to photosynthesize and produce roots,” he points out.

While you can technically plant directly into your soil, using containers filled with potting soil and compost is a great way to get started, says Traunfeld. “Containers are mobile, versatile and inexpensive,” he points out. “You can grow a tomato plant or pepper plant in a recycled 5-gallon bucket.”

Wilber also suggests gardening in containers. “It is a fun and convenient way for new gardeners to get growing,” she says. It can also be faster: As Ossola points out, choosing to start plants in containers can help you to cultivate and save very quickly.

Aside from containers, potting soil and compost, you’ll need gardening tools like a hand trowel and seeds or seedlings, Ossola says. “After planting [in-ground] and the garden’s establishment, you might need to add some natural mulch on the topsoil — straw and tree bark — to retain soil moisture,” she says.

Some crops are easier to grow than others

The best and easiest crops to grow are the ones that will work well in your particular environment, Snipes says. (If you’re unsure, he suggests contacting your local extension office, which can provide free advice on gardening in your specific region.)

In general, Traunfeld says these are good plants for beginners to consider:

• Lettuce

• Spinach

• Kale

• Mustard greens

• Beets

• Radishes

• Swiss chard

• Beans

• Cucumbers

• Summer squash

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

For herbs, Wilber suggests trying parsley, rosemary, oregano and mint.

Light conditions should also play a role in what you decide to grow, according to Coolong. “If you have heavy shade, that may limit you from growing something like corn, but a crop like lettuce or other leafy greens could still work well,” he says.

Planting season is coming up fast

The right time to plant depends on your location, Wilber points out. (Again, this is where contacting your local extension office can help.) “But, generally speaking, it is after the last frost date in the spring,” she says.

If you’re starting with seeds, you’ll just want to kick-start things earlier. “If you choose to grow your own transplants at home, you may want to start a few weeks before then to seed out your plants” — in other words, plant seeds in soil — “whether indoors or in a greenhouse-type structure,” Coolong says.

A big tip to keep in mind, adds Coolong: It can be helpful to space out your plantings of any particular crop. So if you want to have ripe tomatoes all summer, start them a week or so apart to stagger your harvests.

What kind of maintenance should you expect?

There are a few basic things to keep in mind concerning maintenance. While annoying, weeding is important. “Pull weeds as soon as they appear,” Traunfeld says.

“Your plants will also need fertilizer and water,” Snipes says. “They need just the right amount of water. Too much can hurt; too little can hurt.” Every plant is different, but you can keep tabs on your plant’s hydration needs by sticking your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, you’ll want to add water.

“Plan on being in the garden daily, if possible,” Wilber says. “Daily visits are best to evaluate how the plants are doing and to scout for pest issues.”

Speaking of pests, Ossola suggests considering netting, fencing and traps to keep birds, mammals and other plant-eating animals away. “Remember to keep your garden clean,” she says. “Rats, squirrels, raccoons and other pests thrive when fruits and produce are left to rot.”

Smaller pests like aphids can be controlled with organic insecticidal soaps, Wilber says. Larger pests like caterpillars or snails can usually be kept away by putting crushed eggshells and salt on your soil, according to Ossola.

What else should beginners keep in mind?

There may be some trial and error with growing your own vegetable garden, Ossola says. That’s why Traunfeld suggests starting small and focusing on produce that your family likes to eat.

Wilber agrees. “Limit yourself to just a few types of vegetables the first year,” she says. “Then, when you become more confident in your abilities and resources, you can increase the size of your vegetable garden and grow a wider variety of crops.”

Above all, it’s important to enjoy the process, Coolong says. “Gardening should be a fun hobby. When it becomes a constant chore, a lot of people get worn down by the work.”