8 Garden Crops That May Not Save You Much Money at the Grocery Store

A productive garden does not always equal a cheaper grocery bill, as space-hungry crops such as corn, watermelon, pumpkins, and potatoes can require significant room and growing time for their harvest – Shutterstock

A vegetable garden can put fresh food within arm’s reach, but that does not automatically make every crop a bargain. Some vegetables demand lots of space, water, supports, containers, or a surprisingly long stretch of attention before they produce enough food to make a dent in the grocery bill.

That does not make these crops bad choices. Far from it. A homegrown cucumber or melon can taste dramatically better than one that spent days traveling to a store, and some gardeners grow certain crops simply because they enjoy them. But if the main goal involves saving money, a few garden favorites deserve a closer look before they claim valuable real estate.