by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: May 24, 2009   Last Updated: September 16, 2010

The cost of food is skyrocketing, and every time we go to the grocery store, we see prices rise, but we aren't getting more for our money. As the cost of things increase, the state of the economy gets worse, and the jobless rate climbs. A vegetable garden can offer people a great way to get fresh organic produce, to get it in abundance and to be able to have extra to use throughout the winter.

We need to debunk the myth that it is impossible to grow vegetables in small spaces. There are countless ways by which to grow vegetables in small spaces, whether it be by using raised beds, square foot gardening, lasagna gardening or container gardening. Each will offer a prospective gardener an opportunity and the space with which to grow whatever they want.

The choice of what to plant can be difficult. There are so many great vegetables to eat, but not all are easy for home gardeners to grow. Cauliflower is very difficult to grow. Corn requires enormous amounts of space, and because it can be purchased cheaply, it makes no sense to plant it. Potatoes are also reasonably priced, so it doesn't make sense to grow them either.

Tomatoes -

Tomatoes are a must have. Determinate varieties of tomatoes produce a big harvest at one time. They are ideal for people who want to can their tomatoes because the big one time harvest will provide enough tomatoes for canning. There are many different varieties of tomatoes to choose from, but starting them from seed will afford you with the greatest choice. The seeds need to be planted a good ten weeks before the plants are to be planted in the ground.

A package of tomato seeds will cost anywhere from $2 to $4 or $5, depending on the variety. Rare heirloom varieties are much more expensive. When buying seeds for more common varieties, there will be a lot of seeds in the package, and you may be able to get 20 or 30 plants, if not more from a package. Rarer varieties will contain far fewer seeds. As long as the seeds are fresh, the germination rate should be pretty high.

Even if you only get ten pounds of tomatoes off a plant (which is likely a big understatement,) ten plants would yield 100 pounds tomatoes. At $2 a pound, those ten pounds of tomatoes would cost you $20. The package of seeds cost far less than what you would have had to pay for the amount of tomatoes you are getting, so the savings is enormous.

SPINACH -

Spinach is a very healthy vegetable, and it is a cool weather crop. It can be planted early in the spring and again in

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