With food prices soaring and store shelves feeling more unpredictable than ever, it’s no wonder so many of us are asking:
How can we take back control of our family’s food security?
What if we told y’all that a big part of the solution is already in your backyard?
We believe gardening isn’t just a hobby anymore—it’s a form of insurance.
So today, we’re walking you through seven practical, budget-conscious strategies we’ve tested in our own gardens that will help you grow more food, save money, and create a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
1. Make Your Own Fertilizer (For Free!)
Store-bought fertilizer can eat up your garden budget fast. But you can make powerful, nutrient-rich fertilizers from simple materials you already have at home.
Comfrey Tea is one of gardening’s best-kept secrets. Comfrey is a perennial that pulls deep nutrients up from the soil.
Chop the leaves, soak them in water for 2–4 weeks (yes, it will smell!), and then dilute 1 part tea to 9 parts water to feed your plants.
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Rabbit Manure is another goldmine. It’s what we call “cold manure,” meaning you can apply it directly to your garden without composting.
Just one rabbit can produce a steady supply of high-quality fertilizer while munching on your garden scraps. No fancy setup needed.
2. Plant Perennials for Long-Term Payoff
Most of us replant annuals every year, but perennials only need to be planted once and will feed your family for years to come. Our top picks?
- Berry bushes (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
- Asparagus (harvests for up to 20 years)
- Rhubarb (a single plant yields pounds each year)
- Egyptian Walking Onions (self-replanting, multipurpose)
Invest in them now, and you’ll enjoy harvests that keep on giving—without the yearly seedling expense.
3. Focus on Calorie Crops
When times get tough, calories matter. Don’t get us wrong—we love a fresh tomato or salad green. But true food security means growing foods that actually fill you up:
- Potatoes (high yield, high calorie)
- Winter squash (stores well for months)
- Dried beans (protein + calories)
- Sweet potatoes (especially great for warm climates)
Many of these crops store naturally without needing refrigeration or processing. Prioritize them.
4. Grow Quick Crops for Fast Results
When every dollar counts, you want a fast return on your gardening effort. Focus on crops that grow quickly and give multiple harvests per season:
- Radishes (as little as 21 days to maturity)
- Lettuce, spinach, arugula (cut and come again)
- Bush beans (harvest in 55–60 days, possible to plant twice)
Plan your garden to replant as soon as one crop finishes. You could triple your harvests with good timing.
5. Learn to Grow from Seed
Seedlings can cost $4–5 each, but a $3 seed packet can yield dozens of plants. Plus, if economic conditions worsen, commercial seedling supplies could become limited.
We recommend winter sowing in milk jugs as the simplest, most frugal method. It creates a mini greenhouse outdoors and produces hardy seedlings without the fuss of indoor grow lights. It’s our go-to, and it costs next to nothing.
6. Save Your Own Seeds
One of the best ways to break your dependence on seed companies is to save seeds from your own crops. Start with easy ones:
- Beans and peas (just let them dry on the plant)
- Tomatoes (ferment the seeds in water to remove inhibitors)
- Lettuce and herbs (harvest seeds after they bolt)
The more you do this, the more adapted your seeds become to your garden’s conditions—which means better results year after year.
7. Preserve Your Harvest
A productive garden is a blessing, but only if you can extend the bounty beyond the growing season. Learn multiple preservation methods to stretch your harvest:
- Canning — great for tomatoes, jams, pickles, and low-acid foods (with a pressure canner)
- Dehydrating — ideal for fruits, herbs, and some veggies
- Freezing — perfect for beginners, just blanch and freeze
- Root cellaring — store squash, potatoes, and onions with zero electricity
Can with Confidence!
What if you could enjoy year-round, rock-bottom prices on produce? Canning is the key!
Learn how to can safely in our self-paced, online Canning 101 Master Class!
The key is to preserve at peak freshness and to diversify your methods. Don’t put all your eggs in the freezer basket!
Recession-proofing your garden isn’t just about growing food. It’s about creating a resilient food system that can support your family no matter what happens with the economy.
Each of these seven methods is simple, frugal, and doable. You don’t need a huge budget or a ton of land—just a willingness to start.
