Grow Your Own Pantry | Top 5 Money-Saving Crops!

In today's video I'm going to kick off a little three part series of "5 Things" to grow. First up, will be 5 things you can grow at home to help you save money on your grocery bill. Every person will have their own things that they feel should be on this list, so please share some yours below in the comment section - we'd love to hear your take on this idea.
Here are my Top 5:
Tomatoes: Versatile for various dishes like spaghetti sauce, salsa, ketchup, and more, offering substantial savings compared to store-bought equivalents.
Berries: Despite initial investment and potential low yield in early years, berries like strawberries and blueberries provide significant savings in the long run for jams, syrups, and freeze-dried snacks.
Potatoes: Growing your own ensures freshness and longevity, allowing for a variety of preparations such as mashed potatoes, fries, and potato soup, reducing waste and expense from store-bought varieties.
Fresh Herbs: Herbs like parsley, oregano, and sage offer continuous harvests and savings, with the added benefit of year-round availability and versatility in seasoning mixes and culinary applications.
Peppers: Bell peppers provide substantial savings compared to store prices, with each plant yielding a considerable number of peppers for various dishes and canning purposes, contributing to reduced grocery expenses and long-term savings.
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Slash Your Grocery Bill with 5 Must-Grow Crops!

[smas]

Who else is getting hungry?
Rachel. Thank you. Prices incredible.
Home grown is better than the organic bought in the store.

[bobwilliams]

Good to see you back and talking about gardening.

[citygirlhomestead]

this is what I told my husband we need to plant things that we use lots of and save us money we are getting our plans together thank you for this

[marym.]

I'm so lucky to live in Michigan, too - west side of the lower peninsula is a treasure trove of u-pick. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries - peaches, apples, cherries...asparagus, etc.

[mrslsix]

I've learned to grow what my family eats. I would expand your list to include onions and garlic. Not always money savers, but like potatoes, homegrown store so well and the flavor is so much better than store bought. I look forward to the rest of this series.

[jeannamcgregor]

I always seem to plant too many beans. We love them and eat tons of them fresh, but I don't like them canned...too mushy. They are pretty good frozen and even better fermented or pickled, but I have limited freezer and fridge space. Sigh. I'll probably overdo it again this year. 🙄 I can always give them away. At least I have nailed the tomato harvest: 25 plants gets us through the year for sauces, salsas, chutneys, etc. And here in zone 10a I can grow potatoes all year round. 💚

[jvin]

When coring peppers, set the core aside to dry. Shell the seeds off the dried cores and replant them. Works for any homegrown heirloom types as well as store-bought peppers if US grown (imported produce is often radiated to kill spiders/etc which also kills seed viability).

[heatherfisk]

I'm expanding my berry production because they're crazy expensive. I made raspberry jam, simple syrup for lemonade, vinegar, and ate lots of fresh raspberries from the garden last year from a very small patch.

[amandar]

Second your choices, Rachel! I’d add asparagus, too. What amazes me is the price of zucchini (courgettes) in UK stores. Even when in season. It’s a seed that returns multiple lbs of abundance and, apart from rhubarb, is the most freely given away vegetable by gardeners.

Take care. 🇬🇧

[lyndasecrest]

I'm so happy that you are back in your garden 🎉

[jenniferkingsbury]

Just bought my little homestead...will be setting up the raised beds soon. Earlier today I ordered strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry plants to add to the property!! Also ordered potatoes to plant. I can't wait to start some seeds next week!!!

[LynnerdSkinnerd]

Rachel~ Nasturtium seeds as a pepper substitute?! Mind. Blown. Thank you for that! Last year I had my first good year for nasturtiums but I didn't harvest all of the seeds. Hoping to do it again this year and now...preserve and grind the seeds!

[coverscornersurburbanhomes]

I'm SO excited for this garden season! And that you will be back in the garden also! I always get so much inspiration from you! I love this series too. Thanks for sharing! ~ Stephanie

[kramitdreams]

Plant a magnolia tree ..the buds (grind) in the spring are a great ginger substitute 😊
Our top 5 our 🌿herbs, tomatoes, kale (that stuff can be buried under snow you can't kill it and if you let it seed itself you only plant it once plus it packed full of nutrients) potatoes(sweet and white)and an orchard 😊

[amyk]

I’m gonna add beans to your already awesome list ❤

[sandeerahBee]

I could listen to you talk like this all day! I have a tiny yard, but I'm getting interested in growing my own herbs, tomatoes and maybe some kind of fruit tree! My winters are very mild in SW Washington, so I have many options!

[amyk]

Thank you for such a helpful video! I had no idea just 25 tomato plants could produce so many different things. I have 15 raised garden beds, all 4’x8’ and I use 4 of them for growing paste tomatoes, 10 tomato plants in each bed. One bed is for my large indeterminate tomatoes for fresh eating and 2 of my 6 cattle panel trellises for my cherry tomatoes. Obviously I must be doing something wrong because I can’t get that much tomato sauces from that 😂 You have a green thumb for sure!

[tanyamosher]

What a great idea for a series!
I'm here for it. !

[tonyarueff]

I am using my berry game this year with some raspberry plants. Things are ridiculously expensive at the store, not to mention homegrown taste better.

[sheliaheverin]

Tomatoes, peppers, onions, herbs and garlic. They are a must plant every year.