General News
7 May, 2026
Growing your own to lessen the strain
WITH the rising cost of living and surging fuel prices, many households are looking for ways to cut costs and save money, and for some, that means heading back to the garden. Hughan’s Nursery owner Steve Hughan, said ongoing supply chain pressures and rising transport costs are prompting people to reconsider growing their own food, a trend that surged during COVID lockdowns.
“Some people have continued with that, for others it's fallen by the wayside,” he said.
Despite some recent relief at the petrol bowser, Mr Hughan said there was still uncertainty ahead as farmers still struggle to secure healthy fuel supplies, which will affect supermarkets in months to come, as well as freight costs are also impacting businesses like his.
He warned that grocery prices, particularly for fresh produce, are likely to keep rising.
“There’s no doubt that vegetables and things like that will increase in price, with scarcity of fuel for farmers and increasing cost of fuel for transport,” he said.
“If fuel prices come down, it’s a win-win.”
Currently, some produce is already reflecting those pressures, with a whole green cabbage priced at $8.50.
Mr Hughan said growing produce at home could provide both financial and personal benefits.
“Homegrown vegetables are certainly cheaper and fresher,” he said.
“It gives the grower a great deal of satisfaction, going out and picking something and then sitting down and eating it is very satisfying.”
For those wanting to get that winter crop started common winter vegetables include cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, silver beet, peas, broad beans and turnips.
“Spring is the main vegetable planting time, but people do often put in vegetables now because fresh vegetables in spring can be a bit scarce, and this year it’ll be scarce and expensive because of fuel problems.”
Mr Hughan said now was the ideal time to prepare gardens for winter crops, especially as the supply chain works to catch up.
“If you're starting with unused soil, add plenty of organic matter, plenty of compost,” he said.
“With autumn leaves falling now, for goodness sake don’t throw them away, they are a very valuable source of soil improvement. There's nothing wrong with preparing the ground now and working out what you're going to use.”
Mr Hughan said potatoes also remain a popular and simple crop for home gardeners. “They can go in August to October and then harvest in February,” he said.
For those with limited space raised garden beds are a great option as well as difference varieties adding that smaller backyard spaces were changing how people garden.
“There are smaller gardens now. People tend to put fruit trees on dwarf root stock, instead of the bigger root stocks that their parents and grandparents did,” he said.
As cost pressures continue, Mr Hughan said even a small patch of homegrown produce could make a difference, both to the household budget and overall wellbeing.
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