Families fight high food prices by growing their own in the garden

Anyone who has made a trip to the grocery store lately is well aware of skyrocketing food prices.

Today’s Wall Street Journal writes how consumers are taking the issue into their own hands by growing vegetables at home.

More families are looking right under their feet to ease the problem of high food prices.

As consumers balk at the rising cost of groceries, homeowners increasingly are cutting out sections of lawn and retiring flower beds to grow their own food. They’re building raised vegetable beds, turning their spare time over to gardening, and doing battle with insect pests.

The grow-your-own trend comes as the price of food has skyrocketed. The government recently reported that April’s 0.9% increase in food prices from the previous month was the fastest pace in 18 years — a reflection of global pressures, from drought in Australia to increased demand in India and China.

Even before this year’s food-price crunch, the vigor for veggies was already gaining momentum. An annual survey of more than 2,000 households by the National Gardening Association shows the average amount spent per household on flowers was flat in 2007 compared with a year earlier. But spending on vegetable plants rose 21% to $58 per household last year, and spending on herbs gained 45% to $32.

Bruce Butterfield, the association’s research director, expects 2008 will be another strong year for vegetable gardening thanks to “the combination of gas prices, food prices, and people staying at home because the world’s gone crazy,” he says. “At least they can have some control over their backyard.”

For beginner gardeners wanting to take the edge off your grocery bill but not sure you want to turn your entire back yard into a farmer’s market, consider our Patio Gardening Success Kit that takes up very little space but allows you to plant up to eight plants at once. The Aerogrow Indoor Kitchen Garden is also an easy way to grow fresh vegetables with minimal effort right on your kitchen countertop.

For those of you that really want to dig in and get a serious garden going, try a raised bed garden system to ensure the right soil for your veggies.

A Recycled Raised Bed Planter that can be stacked shows off your eco-friendly side, while a Rock Raised Bed Planter adds a little bit more decor to your landscape. Many people, though veer toward the more traditional-looking Rustic Cedar Raised Ben Planter.

As you can see, there are many options for starting your own garden. Get your own garden going and save on those grocery bills!