Millions of Brits feel that buying food is too expensive - here’s a money-saving guide to growing your own at home
Food prices continue to rise, with the price of food rising by over a third over the last five years by July 2025. As a result, shopping for meals has become increasingly more expensive, meaning that many Brits are opting for cheaper sources of food.
According to brand new data from MyBuilder.com, the reliable way to hire tradespeople, 35 per cent of UK shoppers have considered growing their own fruit or vegetables, due to the increased price of food. The results notably increased among those aged 18-34, where nearly half (47 per cent) admitted to considering growing their own food at home.
On the back of this data, an expert at MyBuilder.com has given an essential money-saving guide to growing your own fruit and vegetables. Whether it’s building a free-standing greenhouse, or setting up a raised bed, at a relatively low cost, there are many ways that growing your own food can be a cheaper alternative to shopping.
The average Brit (in a household with at least two people) spends a total of £857 a year on all forms of fruit and vegetables. A free-standing greenhouse, on the other hand, can cost as little as £420 and is capable of lasting for at least 20 years. By planting fruit and vegetables in a greenhouse instead of buying them from a shop, you could save substantial amounts of money, as well as enjoy tasty, organic produce.
James Lewis, a gardening expert from MyBuilder.com, said growing your own fruit and vegetables can be an effective money-saving option, if you have the right space and follow the right steps.
“Food prices have gone up a lot in recent years, and although growing your own fruit and veg probably isn’t going to completely replace the weekly shop, it can make a real difference over time.
“Producing some of your own food at home is possible, and can be achieved in just a few simple steps. A free-standing greenhouse, a raised bed, and a vertical garden are all great money-saving ways to grow food, and they’re easy to set up, too.
“Even if you don’t have a garden, it’s still possible to grow simple things like herbs or salad leaves indoors or on a balcony. It’s just about working with what you’ve got and starting small, rather than trying to do everything at once.”
Here’s MyBuilder.com’s essential money-saving guide to growing your own fruit and vegetables in your garden:
Build a free-standing greenhouse
Freestanding greenhouses are super-effective, as you can place them wherever you want, in front of uninterrupted sun and away from northern and eastern winds, alongside being able to grow any food inside one all year-round. They can also be more affordable than you might think, with an installation cost of as little as £420, if set up using second-hand materials and during off-peak seasons. If you install one, consider which material you use (aluminium requires less attending to), and ensure your roofs are ventilated.
Build a raised bed
Costing as little as £30 to build, a raised bed isn’t just cost-effective, it’s also more suitable for growing root vegetables, such as carrots and tomatoes, instead of on the ground, as it gives the roots more room. Raised beds also provide better drainage and prevent water-logging during periods of rainfall, and their physical barriers are also effective at keeping out pests. To set one up, find a sunny, level spot, before clearing weeds and laying down cardboard. Then, fill up the top with 12 inches of soil and compost mix. It’s also recommended that you use timber, as it’s more durable than other wood types.
Grow a vertical garden
A vertical garden is easy to set up, and especially effective to grow vegetables, as it makes them easier to maintain and keeps them away from infestations and disease. It’s also perfect for gardens with limited space, as well as cost effective - materials together can cost just £150. To receive enough sunlight without bearing the brunt of full heat during summer, set up your vertical garden on a south west or west-facing wall. Then, fit mesh to your wall before securing it with timber battens, so that your produce has a secure place to growl. You can use any item for a container, which should be filled with multi-purpose compost.
Grow inside
If you don’t have a garden, you can still save money on fruit and vegetables by growing them inside. While most foods take longer to grow inside, it’s still a suitable place to plant salad greens and strawberries, as they take up little space and require relatively little time to grow. It’s also extremely cost-effective, as the only materials needed are soil, compost, and a few containers.
Grow on a balcony
If you live in a flat with a balcony, or your garden has limited space, you could still have enough space for you to grow your own fruit and vegetables. It’s a particularly effective growing space for beans and tomatoes, as they can grow on railings. However it’s important to consider whether enough sunlight and shade will be provided for your plants. If your balcony doesn’t have shade, consider creating some shelter.
Make your own compost
Compost is vital to growing your own food, but, with the price of ready-made compost costing around £6 in most shops, the cost can pile up if repeatedly bought over time. Instead, start collecting your own. It’s recommended that your compost is made of 25-50 per cent green (leaves, grass, weeds, fruit/veg peelings) and 50-75 per cent brown (prunings, twigs, cardboard, dead straw).
Plant companion plants together
Another cost-effective way of growing your own fruit and vegetables is to place your plants as close together as possible. Choose plants that are suited to be planted together, as this helps maximise plant growth. Some plants, such as peas and cucumbers, can also be grown together vertically, which will help maximise your garden space even more effectively.
