Expect to pay higher prices for tomatoes from Florida this year, thanks to this winter’s big freeze. Because there was so much damage done to the tomato crops, the prices have skyrocketed. Many national chain restaurants, such as McDonald’s and Olive Garden, are limiting tomatoes on the menu, just to keep costs in check.

And consumers are going to feel the tomato pinch soon enough, if they haven’t already.

Which brings me to this post’s point: if ever there was a time to grow your own tomatoes, now is that time.

Tomatoes are some of the easier vegetables to grow, especially now that all you need to do to grow them is hang them upside down, a la the Topsy Turvy Upside-Down Tomato Planter. I’ve seen people “hanging” their tomato plants from fire escapes, porch railings and hanging plant holders.

If I wasn’t starting a garden with three friends, and planning to plant tomatoes (along with many other vegetables, on which we hope to save a lot of money), I would definitely get one of these. (And no, the company isn’t paying me to suggest this product. However, the link above does go through my Amazon Associates account.) I mean for less than $20 (shipping included), you could get a season’s worth of tomatoes. These days restaurants are paying at least double that for one case of tomatoes.

Of course, waiting until your locally grown tomatoes are available is also a smart cost saver.

How are you planning to save money on vegetables that may cost more this spring?