Cash in on Money Garden

If you have the bright idea that growing some of your own food might save you money in these lean times, you're not alone.

It should be a big year for fruit and vegetable gardens.

For example, Burpee introduces a Money Garden. No, unfortunately, these seeds do not produce greenbacks or even quarters.

They do, however, grow lettuce and other vegetables. Six packs of seeds are $10, half what they would cost if sold separately. And the company claims you will reap $650 worth of "legally tender vegetables."

Here's the seeds you get: lettuce, peppers, peas, tomatoes and lots of carrots.

And Barbara Pierson, nursery manager for White Flower Farm, thinks everyone should at least have a few pots of cherry tomatoes on their decks or patios.

Your favorite mail order business or nearby garden center probably sells fruit and vegetable plants and seeds as well as flowers.