Vegetable prices have grabbed attention lately, and the farm-level cost of vegetables jumped 70.2% year over year, according to the USDA Economic Research Service Food Price Outlook. That eye-catching number has many gardeners wondering if the backyard plot deserves a bigger role this season.
Growing your own vegetables will not replace every grocery trip, but it can put fresh food, flavor, and a little budget relief right outside the kitchen door. The trick comes from choosing crops wisely instead of turning the yard into a chaotic jungle of zucchini and tomato vines.
