I'm not really convinced that we should be buying organic food at the marketplace. Paying extra money for food just never made sense to me. I would rather grow my own organics in a garden at home. In some towns even apartment dwellers can grow a garden if they rent a plot from a community gardening center.
To get started on your own garden you don't need much, even if you live in an apartment. I like to buy small herbal planters. I see them occasionally at CostCo and Sam's Club. You should also be able to buy them from a local nursery.
You may be able to buy tomatoes, rosemary, and other small growables for only a few dollars and keep them in a window sill or well-lit room. This is the cheap way to garden at home.
If you want to grow a garden in your own yard but you have poor soil you can do something about that relatively cheaply. Check out the Do It Yourself Composting blog for ideas on how to turn your waste food into a sustainable soil resource. In just a few months you can have enough potting soil to get started.
I would begin by making a flower bed in one corner of the yard. Obviously you want to plant herbs and vegetables there. I would not grow corn in the back yard. You can usually find good deals on corn at the farmers' markets. In fact, I prefer to grow herbs and small fruits that are hard to find at the store.
Speaking of fruit, you can sometimes buy dwarf fruit trees to plant in your yard. You should be able to find citrus and banana trees that grow in many different climates. For desert dwellers you should look at this great article with suggestions on arid-climate fruit trees you can buy.
Home gardening does not have to be expensive or complicated. Start with something simple and work your way up. Don't assume you have to go all out at the beginning. Learn to do this by steps. Take your time.
You will save money by growing your own fruits and herbs. You will also appreciate the fresh flavor of your own home-grown foods, too. And you will learn to use your space wisely.
Plants brighten up any landscape when chosen wisely. You can amaze your neighbors with awesome displays of healthy colors that also brighten up the dinner table.
