Travelling costs, it doesn’t matter how you do it, whether it’s camping or staying in luxury hotels, you will need money to travel!
Lots of people think they can’t save for travel, it’s out of their reach. But if I, as a single mum, can do it so can you!
Each month I will show you what small things I do to help us save money so that we have more for our travel fund.
This month I’m writing about how to grow your own food!!!!
I have been growing my own vegies periodically for about 8 years now.
I am not an expert. Many things I have grown has been through trail and error… sometimes it works out and sometimes it becomes chook food or compost!
But one thing I know is that growing your own food is not only healthier for you but also can save you lots of money…. for travel of course!!!
Here are some tips for growing your own veggies!
Only grow what your family will eat:
This seems like pretty simple, but there is many times that I have veggies that I thought we would eat for it only to go to waste. This goes for quantities as well. Watch how much you plant because you may end up with way more produce then you can eat… although it’s always nice when you can share extras with family and friends.
Buy seedlings over seeds:
I have tried both and to be honest seeds take so long to grow!! Seedlings are established and therefore grow so much quicker and you will, more then likely, be more successful with them. They will, in turn give you produce sooner. If you have a green house, then seeds might be better, but without one you will be waiting such a long time. If you want to use seeds, look into collecting seeds each season from your crop… research online how to do this.
Buy only what is in season:
Check out online what is in season in your area before you plant. Don’t be fooled by what vegetables they sell at the supermarkets. Most of the time those fruit and veg are not necessarily what is in season… you are better to check out the farmers markets to know what is in season or online or see what seedlings they are selling at a reputable nursery.
Buy only a few punnets at a time:
I have found that buying a small amount of seedlings each week is not only better on the weekly budget (you aren’t spending so much money in one hit) but it also staggers your crops. This way you getting crops over a longer period of time rather than getting it all in one hit. I tend to spend around $12 a week, roughly three punnets of different types of vegies / herbs each week.
Learn how to pickle, preserve and blanch:
This has been a life saver when I have ended up with so much veg that I didn’t know what to do with. It means that there is no waste and we can enjoy our produce for so much longer. I have made jam and frozen strawberries, blanched and frozen silver beet and broccoli, preserved beetroot, and made pasta sauce and semi dried tomatoes. Check out online how to make your produce last for longer or find some books to help you out. I like The preserving Book by Lynda Brown.
Plant in containers and garden beads:
You can literally plant veggies and herbs anywhere! I have planted in garden beds that I have stripped of plants, old tyres, wheel burrows, old pots, wine barrels and wooden pallets. Nobody should use size of their yard as an excuse to not to try to grow stuff… you just need to be creative.
Composting/ worm farming:
Fertilising will make your plants to grow bigger and better. I have had a worm farm and used the worm wee to fertilise my vegetables for amazing results! Presently I am using a compost bin to turn my food scrapes into compost and help grow my vegetables better. I also tried chicken poo but not any other animal poo!
Here are some of my favourites veggies to plant!
- Lettuce ( this can be easily grown year round and is my favourite and most useful vegetable)
- Spinach / Silver Beet
- Cuccumber
- Beetroot
- Basil ( my favourite herb.. we love homemade Pesto!)
- Beans
- Snow Peas
- Broccoli
- Capsicum
- Zucchini
- Tomatoes (makes amazing pasta sauces!)
- Strawberries
So there is all my tips and hints for growing your own food at home.. give it a try!
Do you grow your own vegetables?
Do you have any other tips to share?
Safe Travels
Kerrie.
I have tried growing vegetables on a few occasions but they don’t seem to last, particularly through our hot summer. I do want to give it another shot though and pay more attention to it. I have also seen a lot of things on pickling and want to give it a shot myself.
Yeah the heat of Summer can knock them about. I find that its constant work during those months… if I go away during that time things generally die!
I love growing our own veggies and herbs! It is awesome to be able to walk out the back door and grab something and take it back to the kitchen.
I also have secret spots around the region where we go to pick roadside mushrooms, lemons, apples, walnuts even, as long as we get there before everyone else!
Oh! I like the idea of secret spots to forage!
I really want to start my own veggie patch but I am not much of a gardener!! I kill most plants!
Honestly Im nott hat great either! Start small with some herbs or lettuce!
Oh perfectly timed for me as I’ve just written about a planned trip overseas.
I have to admit though, I’m not great at growing stuff. I have rosemary that I inherited when I bought my house, but would like to grow more herbs. That’s actually probably something I’m capable of, so I should definitely start organising that. It will save me money on those squeezey tube thingys I buy! #teamlovinlife
Herbs are so easy to grow and will save you!
Yes we do have a small vegetable patch in our backyard that my husband likes to potter around in. We have grown lots of different things like spinach, lettuce, corn, beans, carrots, zucchini and tomatoes. It is a great way to save money, rather than buying some of the tasteless stuff in the supermarkets. #TeamLovinLife
Awesome effort! and yes the veg at the supermarkets are often so bland!
I would love to travel more! Fantastic tips for growing your own veggies. I’m growing my own herbs (the ones I use all the time) and even planted a Dragonfruit plant (why not?)! Might move on to some veggies soon! I’m already saving money not having to buy the herbs for recipes all the time. I know what I use a lot of and have it handy now. So much better! 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
I used to grow my own veggies – my garden was bit enough for a country kitchen garden and I loved it. We moved a few years ago and my new house is completely decked at the back. This year I tried things in pots and it worked – not sure I got as much as I would have liked but just growing my own tomatoes again made me happy.
Good for you! It is a little as going tomatoes or lettuce that is satisfying!
I don’t grow my own veggies in this house, but have plans to do so. I’ve just finished planting out my herb garden, so veggies are next. Being in Qld, I want to have a go at growing turmeric, ginger, garlic and lemongrass too. My Mum has also grown her own veg – in-between everything else. She’s my inspiration – as you will be your kid’s. #TeamLovinLife
good luck with the vege garden sounds like you have some awesome plans!
I’m not a gardener at all. But my husband has dabbled and he enjoyed it the couple of years he gave it a go. #teamlovinlife
It can be a bit of an effort but still enjoyable!