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
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?
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Jersey tomatoes! Sorry, had to get in that plug.
This is one of those times to just say no…no to imported, over-priced, trucked-across-the-country, flavorless tomatoes. Just wait it out. Used canned. and store this memory so that when tomato season is here, you’ll make an extra effort to “put up” lots of tomatoes for the winter and spring! Another thing to keep in our frugal minds is that eating in fast food places with their fatty burgers too much salt and maybe even e-coli lurking, is a money waster and not good for our health (which will be expensive in the long run).
have to second comment #2 (well, and Jersey Tomatoes? That’s a given, too…but not in March)…
It is time to avoid the tomatoes. Period. I ate one a restaurant put on a sandwich the other day and spit it out it was that spongy–and my question was: Why? They probably overpaid for it and then they were putting crap onto a good sandwich.
go canned and wait for the summer to catch up.
Wish I could do the upside down–I am in an apartment and have NO outdoor space. Wah.
b
Recently saw the pink and white tomatoes at my local Kroger. I have already purchased seeds and starter pots. I’ll be getting some local heirloom seeds this weekend. It’s amazing what you can grow in a 5 gal Home Depot. I’m planning to can and freeze as many tomatoes (and other produce) as possible this summer. I can’t wait!
I love gardening, and tomatoes are one of the vegetables/fruits I plant. I love homegrown tomatoes and cucumbers. They just taste so much better. I usually buy fruits and vegetable which are in season, unless I want to do something special, then I buy what I need.
I had a very “funny”looking tomato last year:
http://suburbangrandma.com/gardening/my-suburban-tomatoes/
I’ve heard good and bad about the upside down planters. Most of the good has come from advertising; the bad reports from actual gardeners who did not have good results.
I recommend sticking with the old standard: the 5 gallon bucket – if you don’t have an actual garden.
I had 3 Topsy Turvy containers last summer. I got about 5 tomatoes from one plant. That’s it. By the end of the summer, all three containers were rotting from the warm California sun. No reuse for this girl.
I’m doing some bucket tomatoes this summer (heirloom).
dicity