growing your own is it worth the effort

[stella]

Growing your own is not easy,we have to battle the elements, it is too hot and burns everything and everthing dries out, too wet and it drowns, too cold it freezes, when it is windy the mini greenhouse blows over and everthing is lost. The soil is the wrong sort, then there are all the bugs and diseases, the squirrels dig up the bulbs the birds eat...........and on and on is it worth it. What do you think

[binley100]

Of course it is ........the sense of achievement when you use your own veg for dinner is immense especially after beating all those negatives .......

[Alison]

I don't think that on the whole it is difficult, yes there are lots of challenges but seeds and plants genuinely WANT to grow and if you grow lots of different things then it's quite hard not to end up with something doing well even if other things fail and that reward is totally worthwhile without any of the other wonderful benefits

[arpoet]

Any doubts as to is it worth the effort vanish when you pick, wash and cook a cabbage or sprouts or anything else you have grown and eat it within an hour or so of it coming off the land
No chemicals, hardly any food miles, positive carbon footprint and above all, lots of fresh wholesome tasty food.
Plus you have had lots of fresh air and exercise and is you are anything like me and my pal, lots of laughs too.
No augument.
Roger

[weekendwellies]

it is ABSOLUTELY worth it. Despite all the failures and difficulties, no matter if only a small proportion of your crops succeed, you have achieved something that you wouldn't have done if you hadn't tried. You have been outdoors in the fresh air instead of stuck in front of a puter, etc. doing vigorous or gentle exercise, whichever is your preferred mode of attack. And you have something fresh to eat which hasn't been smothered in pesticides, traveled god only knows how far or been handled by who knows how many people before it gets to your table.

[taff]

yes it is.

[rustylady]

Most definitely worth it. Even in the worst season there is always something that succeeds.

[Nicos]

Nah...given the choice I wouldn't bother.
It's so much easier to buy cheap stuff from the supermarket- even out of season stuff...and it's guaranteed to all taste the same.

[Two_Sheds]

You might feel more positive Stella if you stick to the easier things first, and don't try growing spuds in November

[Snadger]

The very fact any of us are participating in this forum shows that we all think it's very much worth it!

[stella]

Ok PSb you pick it fresh yes but by the time you have found a bit that the birds have not pecked to bits the slugs have not shredded and the snow knocked over there is hardly a teaspoon full to get the flavour from.......

PS I love gardening and would not have it any other way but just having a discussion from the other point of view

[Glutton4...]

The very fact any of us are participating in this forum shows that we all think it's very much worth it!

Yup - my thoughts exactly!

[Nicos]

PS I love gardening and would not have it any other way but just having a discussion from the other point of view

Yup- got that!

Indeed- the veg and fruit beds are a buffet table for wildlife...what's the saying...something like one for the birds, one to die and one for me...or something like that.
It's to be expected. That's why netting, scarecrows and environmesh were invented.

If we crop more than a third of what we could possibly achieve then we're doing well...any more would be greedy.

Oh- and while we're at it- I reckon the peeps behind growing your own also sell nailbrushes and handcreams...and washing powder...and Radox...and....

[Nicos]

..oh- and car vacuums

[stella]

yes it is a big buisness isnt it, are we being conned. We hurt our backs, knees, wrists, fingers, get things in our eyes, splinters, cuts, trap our fingers etc etc all for a few brussel sprouts. It may be good for us to eat our own food, but what about the rest of our body that gets damaged in the making of it?