The most cost-effective veg to grow

budgetboo

Your locality does make a huge difference as to what's most effective for you as an individal.

I'm so jealous of your damsons as I know cos I'm the ONLY annual order the greengrocer can charge me what he likes! It's an indulgence I can't afford every year

Likewise I'm sure leeks will still be in the same cost category as potatoes, carrots and onions in some areas.

Blackberries have become a rare expensive treat for some of my friends in other parts of london in recent years can you believe :eek: To me that's criminal. (As kids we used to end up sick of blackberries by the time the season ended as they were free to forage. Our Mums expected a full bag of the darn things every time we went out to play in season and made everything from cakes to jams to wines from them. They were free so I can't get my head round £2.99 a punnet now). I know some of my scottish friends pay extortionate prices for the humble cabbage and cauliflower, whereas they are cheap as chips for me.

However I can buy mangoes at £2 a box (at least 30-40 per box) from the market at the right time of year so not all is lost :rotfl:

Thanks for the info re 3 sisters . I'm most worried about the corn as its a narrow bed and I'm not sure will be wide enough for the sweetcorn, which should be planted in blocks. The melon will be at the edge of the bed so we can get to it easily. The beans I want to dry some for winter use as we always have enough summer veg so chose my variety on that basis. It maybe that the courgette will turn out to be a mistake but honestly I have nowhere else on the plot to put them so we'll see, and I really wanted to try the variety out. It's all an experiment. I've chosen my varieties with the greatest care but trial and error will always be the best way to learn. From what I've read it's the strains selected of each that make all the difference. My summer stuff bed will be OK as I've learned through trial and error but I wanted a crop for Autumn to clear just before first frost that would be easy to maintain in the school summer holidays when things like my strawberries need regular attention. Every year I try one new idea, that won't be the end of the world if it fails. My goal is long term semi-self sufficency in a rural area, so I'm learning as much as I can now while stuck in a flat on an inner city estate.

[Deleted User]

I know what you mean about damsons. I used to travel to the lythe valley from kendal to get damsons. Then we moved to s wales and no more damsons for 30 yeras, I had withdrawal symptoms.

I am also in two minds about the sweetcorn, I have the seeds but am dithering about the space required for a block of 9

annie123

budgetboo wrote: »

However I can buy mangoes at £2 a box (at least 30-40 per box) from the market at the right time of year so not all is lost :rotfl:

.

Is this market in London? if so where?

budgetboo

Lewisham - go on a Saturday (cos they don't like holding stuff over the weekend so that's always the best day for reductions) at about 3.30 when the weather is bad and between 4 & 5 pm in high summer. You'll always find a stall that's virtually giving something away - but do be aware the best deals are for seasonal produce. Also do great stuff like cheap organic carrots etc. Great source for Kentish apple varieties like Russets that haven't been sprayed/irradiated to fook. Bramleys are the cheap deal right now.

I split my purchases with Mum and occasionally select friends so we don't end up with a glut of stuff that doesn't get eaten.

Sally_A

Agree, french and runner beans are easy to grow, and when you have your own the price in shops will shock you, then you can have a secret smirk as you have grown your own.

Mangetout are also a worthwhile crop.

Parsnips are good value too, but in our clay soil they are never the shape of the supermarket perfectly conical ones, they taste better, but it does mean trudging up the garden on a manky wet day and digging them up with loads of soil attached - I'm happy to wash them off and peel weird shaped roots, but a lot of people aren't.

annie123

budgetboo wrote: »

Lewisham - go on a Saturday (cos they don't like holding stuff over the weekend so that's always the best day for reductions) at about 3.30 when the weather is bad and between 4 & 5 pm in high summer. You'll always find a stall that's virtually giving something away - but do be aware the best deals are for seasonal produce. Also do great stuff like cheap organic carrots etc. Great source for Kentish apple varieties like Russets that haven't been sprayed/irradiated to fook. Bramleys are the cheap deal right now.

I split my purchases with Mum and occasionally select friends so we don't end up with a glut of stuff that doesn't get eaten.

:j not far from me, thank you so much:D

zarazara

I think any soft fruit eg rhubarb,strawberries,currants etc etc is definately cost effective and pears and apples and plums all taste better IMO if home grown. Lettuce spinach,broad beans french beans and runner beans,shallots, leeks,kale,swiss chard and all herbs. most stuff really apart from main crop potatoes,carrots and onions.

Rahbob

Herbs- very expensive in the supermarket for such a small amount!

I love basil and grow as much I can. Any remaining leaves get frozen and get used in sauces all winter.

Rummer

Ooooohhhhh I adore Basil and the first wee shoots of it are starting to show their heads!

budgetboo

Lol!

My son (6) is addicted to Basil and is watching the first of this years seeds germinating VERY carefully. I'm just hoping I haven't let him push me into sowing them too early lol!

According to him roast tatties aren't "proper" unless you add a couple of sprigs of Rosemary to the tin either. At his insistence we took a cutting from my Mum's bush the other day.

Do be careful with kids and herbs - they very quickly form STRONG opinions. The neighbour's 3 year old was checking my balcony for Basil and Thyme yesterday and was most disapointed there wasn't any on display to sample. Still it's gotta be better than looking for sweets?