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Community Corner

Moms are Becoming Gardeners, Are You?

In an effort to reduce grocery bills moms are becoming amateur farmers.

Mom Talk Question of the Week:

A popular trend to save money is to “grow your own.”  Many urban and suburban families are planting small gardens in order to cut back on food bills.  Is this something you would consider for your family?

Sunny Taylor, mom to two girls ages 3 and 10

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We started a garden last year and I was amazed at our savings.  After my husband lost his job we really had to tighten the purse strings.  Starting a garden seemed like a good way to provide fresh produce to my family.  I am a “beginner farmer” so I didn’t plant very much the first year; this year I hope to grow more stuff.  In fact, I hope to grow enough tomatoes so I can put some up in cans for the winter!

Rochelle Norris, Douglasville to 6-year old girl and 10-year old boy

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While I would love to save money on our food bills, I have the blackest thumbs in the universe so this lifestyle will never work for me. I see my neighbors growing stuff in pots and out in their backyards and it interests me but I have no idea where to start.  I love fresh tomatoes and I hear they are easy to grow so many I’ll have the guts to do that someday.

Minde Herbert, mom to 5-year old twins, Sam and Jane

We started growing our own produce over 11 years ago.  It’s easier than some folks might think, and depending on the method, it takes up very little space.  I live in a planned community in the suburbs with a small yard, yet still manage to harvest tomatoes, strawberries, onions, peppers, carrots, peas, broccoli, melons, squash and lots of herbs, such as basil and thyme.  The entire family gets on in the fun.  The kids are in charge of the giant lettuce pot, and are responsible for watering, weeding and such.  We save lots of money, especially in the spring and summer.  High-ticket items in stores, like organic heirloom tomatoes and red bell peppers, cost us pennies on the dollar since we grow our own.  

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