If you’re looking for more ways to stay healthy, and save money, look no further than your own backyard. Growing a simple vegetable garden can save hundreds of dollars in food costs—and more Americans are catching on. According to a recent National Gardening Association (NGA) study, 43 million U.S. households plan to grow their own garden this year, up 19 percent from last year. And gardening is appealing to an increasingly broad group—21 percent are new to gardening. Over half (54 percent) of gardeners say their main reason for growing their own food is to save money on food bills, and 34 percent say the current recession is motivating them to garden.

And in case saving money isn’t reason enough to get your hands in the dirt, gardening can provide exercise, and it can aid your social life—particularly if you swap fruits and veggies with your neighbors or volunteer at your nearest community garden.