Transcript: Save money by growing your own food
By Bankrate.com

Anchor Intro: If your grocery bill is rising faster than you can handle, it may be time to think green --as in a green thumb. Growing some of your own food saves money, it's easier than you think, and you don't need a big plot of land. Bankrate.com explains.

Voice over 1: Welcome to paradise. Paradise Farms, that is. It's a haven of organic farming in Florida. For owner Gabriele Marewski, it's not just a business, it's a lifestyle, one she wishes more people would adopt:

SOT "We believe people can grow their own food. It's a very simple process. And I always say, it only takes four simple ingredients: the seed, good soil, water and love."

Voice over 2: And the right crops. To maximize your money, you can grow produce like lettuce mixes, cherry tomatoes, peas, spinach and herbs cheaper than you can buy.

Voice over 3: Example: a mixed-lettuce seed packet costs less than four-dollars, but generates an entire month's worth of nightly salads. And it's easy.

SOT "And anybody can do it if they decide to do it, and you buy your packet of seed, basically read directions on the packet, go to your hardware store, buy your soil, organic manure, your fertilizer..."

Voice over 4: Don't waste time growing potatoes and onions. Experts say you can buy those at a store cheaper than you can grow them.

Voice over 5: You don't need much dirt to put a dent in your food budget. For some greens, a windowsill works or a few pots on a patio.

Voice over 6: A sunny 100-square-foot zone can grow a "salad bar" all summer, while an 8-by-24-foot space can feed a family of four!

Standup: And it may be faster than you think: Some greens grow in just 21 days. Do a little research, sow some savings, reap some rewards. For Bankrate.com, I'm Kristin Arnold.