By – Frugal Broad #2
I have a severe fear of flying and stinging insects, so I often try to postpone or delay any type of outdoor activity (painting the garage, weeding, etc.). I am fully aware of this little problem (and also completely apologetic) because I know my lack of participation often drives Frugal Broad #1 crazy. That being said, there is nothing more frugal than growing your own vegetables in the summertime. Biting into a juicy tomato or stir-frying your own homegrown sweet peppers is more satisfying than you can imagine. Not to mention cheap.
Many things grow well from seeds: sweet peppers, hot peppers, we’ve even had good results with green onions around our house.
My paternal great-grandfather used to edge the backyard with cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, and broccoli bushes (these all take a good amount of space to grow). He had his own homemade greenhouse which was made from plastic and cheap wood scraps. He had a serious green thumb, which I unfortunately did not inherit. Thankfully for my digestive system, Frugal Broad #1 has a green thumb of her own.
We usually grow tomatoes too, but those grow best from a plant. You can usually find them at a farmer’s market for a good price – but don’t balk at paying a high price. Tomato plants at our house go nuts. Last year we had more tomatoes than we knew what to do with. You can make your own pasta sauce, pizza sauce, blanch and freeze them whole; the possibilities are endless. In the end, one plant can give you a ton of tomatoes, and it is cheaper to grow them yourself than to pay $3.99 or $4.99 a pound.
Invest well, and reap your rewards!
the frugal broads 