Grow own vegetables to reduce cost of living

Subbarow with the ash gourd that was planted in a car shed. – Courtesy of CAP

HOMEMAKERS can save up to RM100 a month by growing their own vegetables, says the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).

“It is simple and can be done at home, including in the car shed, which can go a long way in reducing the cost of living,” said CAP education officer NV Subbarow.

He said CAP had grown ash gourd (winter melon) in a car shed and had harvested 20 of them, with more growing, enough for a few months.

“A kilo of ash gourd is RM15 and the vegetable from our urban garden weighs from 7kg to 10kg.

“Vegetable prices are not going down anytime in the near future due to the rainy season and planting our own vegetables in the backyard is the only answer right now,” he said.

Subbarow said consumers can also plant common vegetables without the need for a huge space, such as sawi (mustard greens), kangkung (water spinach), kailan, spinach, peppermint, pegaga kesum and selom (water celery).

CAP offers training and practice for anyone, especially housewives, to acquire some skills in planting vegetables.

Those interested can call Subbarow (012-537 4899).