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With all the hype over labeling of Genetically Modified Food (GMO) in the United States, and Monsanto “playing God” with our food supply – many people have started their own organic gardens in their yard.

I am no exception.

It is very easy to do, and you can start reaping rewards from your hard work in as little as two weeks.

Last week I was in Krogers and needed a green pepper for a recipe I was making, and was taken back at the cost for that one pepper – $1 each (not per pound). I simply walked away and found a substitute for the pepper. Tomatoes, bananas, potatoes are on the high end now too, and this was NOT in the “organic” section of the produce department.

It’s sad that so many people are sticker-shocked when they go in the grocery store anymore. I often hear how organic food is more expensive than other foods, and it seems as if they are almost a level playing field now. Without a doubt, everyone is paying more for food than they used to – yet wages are not going up.

To combat this, you should start by collecting “heirloom” seeds (seeds that were gathered pre-Monsanto). You do not want to go through all this work and then end up using seeds you got on sale at Wal-Mart (those are probably GMO seeds).

Depending on the size of your chosen organic bed, you can estimate you will spend approximately $300 to get it up and rolling, but that investment will last for years to come.

First of all, measure the size of area you want to use. (Example: you want a bed that is 8 feet long and 4 feet wide and 18 inches deep) measure the type of block you will be using. I used scalloped blocks made for retaining walls, that were 12 inches long, 4 inches wide and 6 inches tall.