Fans of the great American breakfast have never had things so bad of late. The rise in egg prices has been well documented, but bacon, coffee, and frozen orange juice all hover well above pre-pandemic prices. Those who can access homegrown, fresh produce are ahead of the game. Gardeners, homesteaders, and farmers fall into this category.
Of course, they understand that growing their own produce leads to a healthier and happier life. But, primarily, many are monetizing their practices, which goes a long way during an economic downturn. How can you leverage your growing and planting abilities to discover fiscal Nirvana? We researched the subject, including speaking to those already on their journey.
1. Getting Started with a Vision
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We spoke with Lauren Craig of Humble Hive Consulting, who believes your vision for leveraging a garden should create objectives to help you reach that independence you so crave. “What resources are you hoping to generate and what resources will you want to source locally?” she says. “These goals will help you narrow down your search range based on the climate that would best support your future vision.”
Clearly, if you plan to produce all your own food, your climate, access to water, and the subsequent growing windows all matter to the operation. The less you produce, the more you will have to pay for whatever else you need.
2. Trading Your Produce
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During tough times, you may not have the same amount of loose change as you once did, but the garden doesn’t care. During an economic drought, leveraging your produce for other things may save you a few bucks.
For instance, if your garden is bountiful, you can trade what you grow for local services, such as haircuts, car repairs, or other products. If not, there are more traditional ways to monetize your crops: identifying where there is demand will help. Treehugger’s Vanessa Vadim champions “dealing directly with restaurants, selling through farmer’s markets, or creating your own market.”
3. Worm Farming for the Win
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While many spend their time contemplating their return on investment above ground, others are focused on what lies beneath. High-quality worm castings can fetch extra income for any phyla-friendly gardener.
Natural soil that comes from said castings enriches and aerates the soil, bringing a better yield quality. Furthermore, this practice moves growers away from monocultures and soil nutrient depletion. Urban Worm Company’s Steve Churchill lists great reasons for (and against) investing in a worm farm.
4. Saving and Exchanging Seeds
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Most humble growers are aware that seeds hold value just like the plants they become. Buying new seeds each season not only drains funds but might also contribute to reducing species diversity. Preserving heirloom tomato seeds, for example, keeps these rare varieties alive.
Of course, selling your seeds is one way to make some money, although you may need to jump through red tape-decorated licensing hoops first. Instead, there are many seed exchanges, including Seed Sovereignty. Every seed exchange equates to dollars saved on project overheads.
5. Wasting More to Want Not
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Planters love nothing more than throwing their vegetable scraps and organic garden waste into a composter. I can’t imagine a greater feeling than selling compost — what’s more, it is unlikely you will need any licenses.
It depends on where you are and how much you plan to sell, but small-scale compost operations will mostly be unchallenged. For more information, it’s worth checking out the US Composting Council’s (USCC) webpage for your state’s rules — you don’t want to find yourself deep in compost.
6. Living on More Than a Prayer
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While economic times can hurt, personal turmoil carries an even deeper sting, often pushing us to the threshold of our tolerance. Gardens, for many people, are not just about saving money or producing vegetables for personal consumption.
MayoClinic has long recommended gardening to improve mental health. Moreover, a 2022 study published by the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening showed how gardening helped millions during the pandemic. The ritualistic, almost religious nature of planting can help keep anxiety at bay, especially when the walls are closing in.
7. Preserving the Bank Balance
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A 16-oz jar of jam will set most punters back at least $5 in the supermarket, which doesn’t include road miles. The beauty of a garden well-packed with fruit trees and shrubs is never having to buy the stuff.
Even micro homesteaders can participate in the jam-making experience — a wall of bushes planted together can yield a ton of fruit. Erin Mittelstaedt of The Fruit Guys says growers should invest in a canning operation. “Canning, like cooking,” she writes, “allows you to experiment and express your creativity to create items that may not be commercially available.”
8. Bee Friendly
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There are many opinions on the bee-owning question. Some would argue that most plants don’t even require pollinators, while others say a bee-friendly garden will yield lots of honey. The golden substance might be considered the “passive income” of the garden, considering so little effort is required in comparison to other homesteading or gardening activities.
Anita Deeley at Beverly Bees says small-scale gardens can produce honey, though a bee-friendly garden is necessary. There are dozens of honey-making plants you can choose from.
9. Bringing a Herb Happy Life
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So many growers are knowledgeable about herbs and their healing properties, which is great for longevity. Medicinal plant species like peppermint, thyme, and chamomile have life-enhancing qualities, but they also provide recession-busting relief.
The Department of Health reported how, in 2023, pharmaceuticals saw a 15% increase, equating to a huge rise in public spending. It isn’t just ailments that herbs and spices can cure — saving money by creating natural remedies will save you during hard times.
10. Bringing Peace of Mind
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Sometimes, you just have to stand back and marvel at what you did and take stock of how the land has rewarded your hard work. A healthy garden or homestead is more than just a lifestyle choice — it is also a way of insulating oneself from the world’s fickle nature.
“When faced with economically difficult times, I’m assured knowing that I’m able to meet my basic needs, regardless of income,” says Lauren. “As long as I have seeds, fertile soil, sunlight, and clean water, I have all that I need — that’s true wealth to me.”
Read more:
The Gardening Secret to Faster, Healthier Seedlings
March into Gardening: Seeds to Sow Now for a Vibrant Spring
