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2009 - Was it worth it?

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  • #1

    2009 - Was it worth it?

    At the start of the year I read an article in one of the national daily papers that growing your own food was a waste of time and money when produce was so easily and cheaply available in supermarkets. So, I thought I’d do a little test. I kept a record of everything I spent on seeds, plants, compost and anything else for the plot and also a record of all my produce and what it would have cost at average prices in the shops.

    Bearing in mind that I started this veg. garden from scratch when we moved here three years ago I’ve probably spent a bit more than most on compost/manure/fertilisers, etc.
    Anyway, the end result was that I spent £71 and got back produce to the value of just under £300, and this does not include the 150lbs of assorted fruit from trees and bushes that were already here. I would say that was a reasonable return but the other benefits are immesurable. Healthy exercise in the open air, chemical-free fresh food with no food miles....need I go on. Perhaps the journalist who wrote the article has never actually eaten fresh food. What do others think.
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  • #2
    The journalist thought you had to buy these and lots of these
    All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by solway cropper View Post
      Perhaps the journalist who wrote the article has never actually eaten fresh food.
      Or grown it.
      sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
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      Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
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      • #4
        One thing they miss is that you're going from whatever the standard rubbish is in the supermarket to a traceable (if not organic) minimal intervention product that almost certainly tastes better.... also they're missing the range that you get to eat.... in the supermarkets, unless you're lucky there is one squash, butternut.... on my plot this year there were at least three others that yuo'd have to go to expensive specialists to find, next year that number will be more like ten (not going to bother with butternuts again, nearly all my other ones beat them hollow and crop earlier).... the same is true of almost anything, you get to grow your favourites and you get to experiment with other things, especially if you join in a seed swap circle....

        Yes I could probably buy cheap vegetables for slightly less than I spent on the plot this year but.... it was a setting up year and there's stuff that I had to buy that will last several years, I'll get better crop coverage next year with more of the soil under cultivation, and (more importantly) I'm getting my gardening skillz back so some of this years failz (brassicas generally, celeriac) won't be repeated....

        chrisc

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        • #5
          they also didn't factor in the transport (petrol) costs of getting the weekly shop

          Although a lot of people drive to the allotment, so that prolly isn't a variable to account for
          All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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          • #6
            The sense of achievement does it for me! Been to he lottie this morning collected fresh eggs,parsnips,carrots and brussel sprouts for the Christmas dinner, all washed in water from a hole I chipped through the four inches of ice on my allotment bath! (was going to get spuds as well, but couldn't be bothered to find them under the snow!)
            I might even go the whole hog next year & rear a turkey!
            My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
            to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

            Diversify & prosper


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            • #7
              Surely profit and loss doesn't come into it? How can you put a £sp to being in the fresh air, taking exercise, planning, creating and ultimately reflecting.
              Btw.. I do not have an allotment so what do I know.

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              • #8
                You bet it was worth it!

                I've had great fun planning what vegetables and fruit to grow, where to put them and even better still eating them as well. The fact that I know exactly what has been put onto them (or not) is a big plus for me. Also trying out different varieties to find my favourites is something you can't do when buying from the supermarket.

                This has been my second year with a lottie and I've learnt so much, from mistakes, neighbouring plotholders and all you lovely grapes.

                If I do think about cost well I've had more than my money's worth even if I count the buying of seed potatoes, veg seeds, manure and the annual rent of my half plot (£7). I must have picked at least 12 one litre ice cream tubs of raspberries - considering the price in the shops there's a big profit there!

                But it's a great feeling when you harvest the veg, knowing that you've been out in the fresh air taking care of it, rain or shine. I'm so glad I decided to get a lottie. Here's to an even better 2010 season.

                Happy Christmas everyone!
                Forbidden Fruits make many Jams.

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                • #9
                  I do spend quite a bit on my vegie garden and lottie but it is my hobby. I love the time spent tending to them and visit the lottie at least once a day, even if it's only to feed the birds while I'm out walking the dogs.

                  Even though I sometimes spend more than I should (or more than Mrs snuffer gets to know about) I'm sure my hobby more than pays for itself. How many non GYOers can say that.
                  It is the doom of man, that they forget.

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                  • #10
                    GYO is my hobby and my gym membership rolled into one. Anyway I've always thought you can taste the satisfaction in home grown - can't put a price on it!
                    Life is too short for drama & petty things!
                    So laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly!

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Snadger View Post
                      ... me ... this morning ... fresh ... and ... all washed in ... my allotment bath! ...
                      Well, I was going to say I enjoyed my growing year, therefore it was worth the effort, and I'velearned LOADS too. But, after reading Snadger's post I'm now trying to rid my head of a really weird mental image...
                      Last edited by Glutton4...; 24-12-2009, 05:51 PM.
                      All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
                      Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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                      • #12
                        Only really been growing "properly" for 3 years and this year has beaten the last two hands down.
                        I'm very lucky in that my veggie plot is in my garden, so no fuel miles accrued etc, but I think very much the same as has been said.
                        The sense of satisfaction of eating my own produce is immense, it tastes far far better than anything I have eaten in a shop, I know EXACTLY what went into growing my food, I would say almost definitely that I break even at worst if I measured everything out to the penny but for me at least its not about the cost, its about the sense of wellbeing I have when I'm out in the garden.
                        Next year my plot will be even bigger, as the 2 half length raised beds are going to be extended over the winter, and a large plot of land is going to be turned over to spuds.
                        The journalist has a story to write, but its lazy journalism really, the current "trend" is to GYO so he was just writing a counter argument. I, along with most other Grapes I suspect, will still be growing after the "trend" has subsided, and still enjoying myself.
                        Bob Leponge
                        Life's disappointments are so much harder to take if you don't know any swear words.

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                        • #13
                          After only my second year growing, I have to say that I have got out more than I spent just on courgettes alone, never mind the rest! Next year see's me with a lottie (yay) so am expecting to do even better both on the money side and on the knowledge and experience side. Lottie is only 4 sq roads but big enough for the first season Who know's what 2011 holds

                          Just wish I could get some land where I could keep cockerel's but hey ho you cannot have it all As others have said, exersize, fresh air, better tasting produce etc
                          Last edited by RedThorn; 24-12-2009, 06:11 PM.
                          Never test the depth of the water with both feet

                          The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory....

                          Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Snadger View Post
                            The sense of achievement does it for me
                            Same here,just getting a plant to grow makes me smile,im easily pleased

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                            • #15
                              I'm glad that we all basically feel the same. I won't bother worrying about costs next year...I don't grow my own for profit, I was just curious.

                              Like a few others my plot will be bigger and better next year. Being the age I am and having a chronic rheumatic condition I have to take things slowly but I can honestly say I don't think anything in my life has given me as much pleasure as the garden (apart from Mrs. cropper.....thought I'd better get that in )

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