There's something deeply rewarding about stepping outside and picking what you need, whether it’s herbs for dinner or greens for lunch.
And while gardening is good for the soul, it’s also surprisingly good for the wallet. With just a few high-yield crops, you can stretch your grocery budget further, waste less, and enjoy better-tasting food, straight from your garden to your plate.
Whether you’ve got a backyard, a balcony, or just a few pots to play with, growing your own vegies is a small act that adds up in all the right ways.
The true value of growing your own.
Growing your own vegies doesn’t just feel good, it makes sense. Once your garden is set up, the ongoing costs are low, and the returns add up quickly.
Even a small patch or a few pots can cut down your grocery bill, reduce food waste, and give you better quality at your fingertips. Add in the bonus of fewer trips to the shops, and you’ve got a system that’s convenient as well as cost-effective.
Some crops save you more than others.
Not all vegies give you the same return on effort. Quick-growing crops like Asian greens and herbs can be harvested again and again, offering great value from a small space. Others, like cauliflower or pumpkin, take months to grow and only give you one harvest – but can still be worth it!
If you're aiming to save money, it makes sense to focus on crops that grow fast, crop often, and cost more to buy.
Some of our grow-to-save favourites include:
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Fast growers like lettuce, spinach, and rocket
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Continuous harvesters likesilverbeet and cherry tomatoes
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High-price, easy grow items like herbs and chillies
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Multipliers like spring onions and beans that keep cropping with care
Good value starts with good choices. Focus on favourites that earn their keep in both flavour and value.
And if you do have the extra space, any excess vegetables and fruit can be either blanched and frozen, pickled, stewed, preserved or made into jam to celebrate your harvest long after their growing season has ended. Any extras even make lovely gifts too.
Low-cost ways to get started.
One of the great things about growing your own food is how little it takes to begin. A few packets of seeds, a sunny spot, and some decent soil is often all you need to get started, and the payoff can be big.
Seeds are one of the most affordable ways to grow fresh produce, especially if you choose varieties that keep producing over time. Diggers Members have access to the widest range of heirloom seeds in Australia, many of which are ideal for small, productive home gardens. Even better, these seeds often have an extra depth of flavour and some you’ll never in find in a fresh food store.
If you’re tight on space, start with containers, pots, troughs or even repurposed tubs can do the job. Choose compact crops like herbs, leafy greens or chillies and you’re away. For more tips on small-space growing, take a look at our tips for Pocket-Sized Gardens.
A little effort and the right setup can go a long way, no big budget required.
Home-growing is more than saving money.
The financial savings are real, but they’re only part of the story. Growing your own food gives you a deeper connection to what you eat. It adds flavour to your meals, rhythm to your seasons, and a quiet kind of satisfaction that’s hard to buy at the shops. You’re not just cutting costs, you’re growing confidence, resilience, and a skill that will serve you for life.
Whether it’s herbs on the windowsill or a full vegie patch out back, every bit counts. Start with something simple, stick with it, and enjoy the rewards. Not just in your wallet, but in your day-to-day life.
Become a member today and enjoy savings on all our vegetable collections.
