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Money doesn't grow on trees, but the next best thing will be sprouting in Holly Patterson's backyard garden this year.
Food.
Every Swiss chard, bean, pea, tomato, carrot or lettuce seed the self-professed gardening addict turns into supper means one less dollar she has to spend at the grocery store.
It's a joy Patterson never really thought about reaping from her garden until recently when she saw her hours as an occupational therapist cut.
"We try to grow organically, so certainly growing food in our garden that's organic and heirloom is a cost savings," Patterson said. "We're looking to scrimp and certainly the garden is one area we can do that."
With the recession firmly taking hold, there's a growing interest in gardening as a way to cut costs.
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After years of flat sales, said Wayne Gale, president of Stokes Seeds in Thorold, business has spiked as people look to weed expensive grocery bills out of their budgets.
Not only are people giving the Stokes seed catalogues a more thorough read, gardening centres are planting more in preparation for the upcoming season.
"I think the economy definitely has a role to play," Gale said. "Just the monetary value -- for a couple of bucks you can buy tomato seeds and get a pretty good return."
Last year, Patterson spent $20 on seeds. With a few hours of work each week, she harvested enough vegetables to feed four adults and a toddler for the growing season. She also canned and froze some of her crop. And while her freezer is now bare, Patterson still has some squash in storage.
"In the immediacy, we're able to feed ourselves quite well," she said.
Bob Martin, who grows vegetable plants for Loblaws and other grocers at his Vineland greenhouse, said penny Bob Martin, vegetable grower pinchers don't need a big space to plant the seeds of financial savings.
The master gardener said a pot and a plant is all you need for some vegetables, such as tomatoes and herbs.
Both he and Gale recommend a few "basics" for a garden that can be relatively fool-proof and inexpensive with a little maintenance: beans, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, peas and herbs. They can also all be grown in small spaces.
"There's no question you certainly save," Martin said. "It could save you five to $10 a week by the time you go to a store and buy a basket of tomatoes, cucumbers and beans. Five or $10 doesn't sound like a lot, but that can add up to $300 over the season and it's relatively easy."