Imagine walking in a grocery store with a $600 coupon for produce. You would pile your cart up with fruits and vegetables that could potentially last for quite some time if prepared and stored correctly. You’d smile all the way to the checkout line about this money-saving opportunity. Or, you could just stay at home, digging in the soil and saving the same amount. Whether you’re considering a winter garden, a Mediterranean garden or a flower garden, your backyard is a playground for plants and an effective way to save money on groceries. If you’re starting to garden in your hometown or considering moving to one of the best states to home garden in, these seven states are perfect garden-starting grounds.

Before You Assume Gardening States Are Summer-Only Options

Prior to moving to the first sunny, warm-weather state that you think is mandatory for gardening, keep in-season plant schedules in mind. During the winter months when Christmas music is playing, seasonal produce includes apples, avocados, bananas, cabbage, carrots, collard greens, kiwi, lemons, limes, onions, oranges, potatoes, sweet potatoes and yams. When you’re busy raking your yard and decorating for Halloween, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, cranberries, garlic, ginger, grapes, green beans, lettuce, mushrooms, pears, pomegranates and pumpkins are just waiting to be on the menu.

Summer and Spring Weather Does Help With Gardening

Of course, that doesn’t mean that living in a warm-weather climate doesn’t significantly help, especially depending on the types of flowers, plants and fruits you want. Even edible flowers like roses are fair game, requiring gardeners to find a good spot in their yards after the last frost and right when spring starts. Or, choose early fall at least six weeks before it gets nippy outside. In the right spring soil, those roses can be an amazing touch to fruit or green salads, or included in granola or mixed herbs.

The Best States to Home Garden In Year-Round

Arizona: With its mild winters and hot summers, this is an ideal state for heat-loving plants. From lavender and aloe vera to watermelon, okra and eggplants, this is a state that’ll keep your dinner plate colorful.

California: This West Coast state is the home of half of U.S. produce with San Diego leading the pack. Tourists may also enjoy hanging out at a number of botanical gardens throughout the state.

Florida: Known for its citrus options like grapefruits and oranges, it’s also known for exotic plants and vegetable gardens. North and Central Florida are ideal for gardeners.

Georgia: The Peach State has claimed its name proudly, but it’s also a great place for growing other fruits such as blueberries, watermelons, apples, pears, figs and blackberries. Atlanta is the place for gardeners to be, especially with the mild-to-warm temperatures, sunny days and rich soil.

Hawaii: It’s hard to blame Hawaii for being so strict with travelers trying to leave with their coffee. It’s the only state in the United States that grows its coffee commercially, largely on the Big Island, with the remaining farms in Kauai, Maui and Honolulu. While the rainfall may be destructive to more sensitive plants, cabbage, carrots, corn, lima beans, squash and tomatoes are some of many plants that grow in abundance on the islands.

North Carolina: With humid, hot summers and relatively mild winters, it’s a fruit heaven full of apples, blueberries, figs, grapes, peaches, pears, plums and strawberries. Additionally, cabbage, cantaloupe, cucumbers, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, squash and tomatoes also do well here.

Washington: Although gardeners may have a tough go at it while trying to plant coconut, dragon fruit and papaya, the warm weather and (in Seattle) annual rainfall averaging 37 inches makes it a pretty good state to start a garden.

Other States That Are Ideal for Gardening

Outside of the seven states mentioned above, there are other locations (including the Midwest) that may also be wonderful places to grow fruits and vegetables. However, due to varying stages of frost and the best soil that these plants thrive in, homeowners will have to be much more meticulous about planting and pulling to help these fruits and vegetables thrive. For loyal gardeners who have greenhouses or indoor planting areas, this can extend the growing season too. And if you happen to be in a state where plants you don’t usually eat grow well, this is your chance to try something new in the coming year. The change in climate may introduce you to your new favorite meals. Enjoy the greenery!