Save money in tough economy by growing your own fruits and vegetables

Lawton_You can trim your budget in lots of areas in this down economy, but it's hard to cut down on food. That's why more of us are growing our own fruits and vegetables right in our own back yards. 7NEWS found one of those "modern day victory gardens" in Lawton and it actually belongs to Skywarn 7 Meteorologist Chris Conoan. Like others he has decided to save money and grow his own vegetables at home.

Although it doesn't look like much now in a few weeks it will be a different story. Tomatoes, okra, onions you name it. You can grow it all yourself. "I just love the taste of fresh grown...home grown fruits and veggies," said Conoan.

The Lawton Garden Store is just one place to start. "We've got them coming in everyday more and more. They are buying the seeds the pre-potted plants," said Steve Mynear who works at the Garden Store.

In fact, since March they have sold over 5,200 packs of those veggies. "The price of everything is going up. So by creating your own tomatoes, your own veggies, it's quite the savings and fun to do," said Mynear.

Conoan planted his garden just last week. "I am pretty strict with my budget. Food prices are going up obviously it costs money to ship it in and why not just grow it locally? It's a lot cheaper," said Conoan.

Not to mention healthier. "There's no chemicals put on them that you are not aware of. You can determine what chemicals are used on them." And it also keeps you occupied for a while. "This is a project and you are going to enjoy doing it and you are going to feel really good when you pick your own veggies. It really gives you a thrill," said Conoan.

You will need to buy a few supplies to get started, but for Chris, it's well worth it. "You can't beat a fresh tomato right out of a garden, put it right on your sandwich. It's awesome."

In his garden there are peppers, tomatoes and even cucumbers so in the next few weeks he can avoid the grocery store all together and come right here in his backyard to get some healthy food.

"Victory gardens" first became popular during the First World War and was revived during the second when the country faced food shortages. By the end of the war, citizens grew 40-percent of the nation's vegetables.