Glenda,

Did you read the Mother Earth News story where Rosalind Creasy did exactly what you're talking about? She tracked her input and output and calculated how many $$$ worth of organic veggies she raised in one year in a 100 square foot garden. If I remember correctly, after she subtracted costs, she still raised about $700 worth of organic veggies in that space, based on what those same organic veggies for selling for at local California stores at the time she harvested. Her gardening partner calculated costs for her state (Iowa) and it came to over $900 worth at those prices.

Do I track costs and harvests? No. I'd like to, but it seems like one more thing to do in a season when I never have enough time anyway. I always think I will, but then I don't.

Last year was an enormously productive one here and I'd say we easily raised produce that had a dollar value much higher than the amount we spent on the garden. In a hot, droughty year though, I don't know that I could say the same because watering is so expensive and the harvest is so much smaller.

Dawn

Here is a link that might be useful: Rosalind Creasy's 100 S.F. Veggie Garden

We did a rough estimate last year at the end of the season on one of those days that you're wondering to yourself..."is all this work worth it?". LOL

And yes, it is. We figured up based on what we had harvested and used in one way or another (freezing, eating fresh, canning etc.) That we had a profit of apprx $850. Our garden produces a lot of Christmas gifts in the form of zuchinni bread and jars of relish, salsa and jellies that we otherwise would not be able to give at the holiday.

This year, with the addition of a new, larger space we'll have to figure in the cost of the sod-cutter, the bordering landscape timbers and the deer netting. I'm also trying several new things that we've never tried before like corn and edamame (soy) beans so this should be interesting.

But seriously, how many other hobbies (other than hunting) are out there that can produce such a valuable profit? We all gotta eat!

Paula

Also, you can subtract the cost of the gym membership and personal trainer you don't need because you're getting your workout in the garden.

And at our house, we can subtract the cost of the tropical vacations we don't take because we already spend enormous amounts of time out in the sunlight and humdity. Why spend money for more of that?

There's the amusement parks we don't visit and the movies we never get around to seeing because we're easily amused by frogs, toads, dragonflies, lizards, birds, butterflies, moths and bees.

Then, there's the tanning salons we don't visit, the prescription meds we don't need because we eat a healthy diet full of mostly home-grown fruits and veggies, the other hobbies (ceramics? scrapbooking? going to NASCAR races or pro football games?) we don't have time to pursue.

And I seriously love breezing through the produce section at a grocery story throughout the late spring, summer and fall and thinking there's nothing we need because we grow most of it ourselves.

For me, though, it isn't even about money. It's about the quality of the food, knowing how it was raised, knowing what chemicals (mostly none) were used on it, knowing we aren't spending money to support burning fossil fuel to fly in grapes from South American or apples from New Zealand or whatever. It is knowing the food is picked, prepared and served the same day, or at least within a day or two, or it is frozen, canned or dehydrated. It is knowing we have salsa or canned tomatoes or pickles with no artificial flavorings, colorings or preservatives. It means having pumpkin bread or muffins or cake (or a Halloween jack-o-lantern) made from pumpkins grown right here in our yard. It is seeing the joy on other people's faces when you hand them a sack of home-grown tomatoes or a jar of homemade jelly. It is the fun of 'unloading' your extra tomatoes or peppers on a neighbor, and having them 'unload' their extra melons or peas or corn on you. It is the joy of cutting a bouquet of fresh flowers and taking them to an elderly neighbor who no longer enjoys good health and who has stopped growing their own.

Honestly, I could track how much we spend and how much we grow, but there's so many other intangibles you cannot assign a cost to.

As far as input, I spend between $25 and $100 each year. That includes seeds, plants, seed starting mix supplies, electric for the well pump for those rare times we water, gas for the tiller, etc.

I've never tracked the garden's output but I know, even in the worst of years, it produces far more than we put into it.

Diane

I will ready the article shortly. Thanks for the link.

Don't misunderstand me. I value above all, the quality of the produce, knowing that it has no pesticides, almost zero commercial fertilizer (I did use some epsom salt and bought pelleted lime this year, have on hand alfalfa meal and cottonseed meal) but I still like to know!

I made myself quit spending a lot of money on ornamentals just because I kept track.....quite startling some years.
I decided I had all I need....and probably more than I can adequately take care of.

Incidentally, since November of 2009 (I ordered seeds early) I have spent $127.04. That is not counting $145 worth of fruit trees and a birdhouse.

That's how my mind works.

Glenda,

I stopped spending lots of money on ornamentals too, especially since the deer seem to prefer them to the ordinary old simple plants I can raise from seed like larkspur, poppies, zinnias, cosmos and purple coneflowers. Most of my flowers reseed themselves or are perennials, so that makes them even easier.

To me, one of the hard parts in tracking costs is deciding what to do with the cost of a new raised bed? Or, a new garden fence? Should I lump it into the expenses of the year the improvement is made? Amortize it over the cost of its life? Arrrggghh. I quit an accounting type job with a major defense contractor in 1992 to be a stay-at-home mom and never intended to have to worry about being a 'bean counter' ever again. lol

Sometimes, seeing cheap food in grocery stores frustrates me because I think some things are usually cheaper than I can grow them here...like when the stores have so-called fresh corn at a price of 10 ears for a dollar, or a 20-lb. sack of potatoes for significantly less than I spent on seed potatoes that may or may not produce a good crop in any given year. I do console myself with the knowledge mine is organic, which those 10 ears-for-a-dollar corn is not, and that our own stuff is fresher, but there are times it seems cheaper to buy some stuff at the grocery store, if the cost itself alone were the sole consideration.

I do try to caution new gardeners (more in person than on-line where they don't know me and might think I'm interfering) that the up-front costs of planting fruit trees, berry plants, veggies, herbs, etc. and including the building of beds, buying tools, etc. means they will be raising more expensive food the first few years, not less expensive food. I try to tell them it involves much more than buying $10.00 worth of seeds, throwing them in or on top of the ground and getting $1000.00 worth of vegetables and herbs in return. Sometimes I get that point across and sometimes I don't. Some things you just have to learn for yourself, I think. But when brand-new gardeners tell me they are growing veggies to save money, I do cringe internally because I think it takes a few years to break even on the start-up costs.

Dawn

To throw in the other side:

I cringe when I see people spend money on garden start up because they end up being like Dawn's example. But they don't have to. We've done it all bare bones, scratched life out of nothing back when we started. I spent maybe $10 my first year of gardening. No, I take that back. I've spent $0 when I used sticks and rocks to scrape up the soil and planted seeds that were given to me. But, my first "real" year gardening (assuming "real" means an investment of money), I spent about $10 on seeds and a second-hand hoe. You can barter for tilling, buy a few cheap seed packets at whatever store, scavenge for needed things, and just use your muscle. Really, you don't need to spend but a few dollars to get started -- but you do have to put in the work.

Dawn, this wasn't meant against you as I do agree with you and I know exactly what you mean. That's the way it usually works out. But, I always feel the need to speak up for the really poor person out there and let them know it can be done if they're determined. I've done it (and still do).

Diane

I have to say my gardening does cost me rather dearly :0) Water alone can cost me probably $70 in a month (like Aug). I'm sure I don't even want to see the bills for the plants I buy during the year! I do raise a lot from seed and I generally buy from the almost dead rack, but still...it does add up! Whatever forum I'm hanging out on generally enables me into finding a few love...it's been butterfly host plants lately :) However, I've done daylilies and antique roses too.

I don't generally raise veggies. I did attempt to raise tomatoes last year, I'm not sure I got more than three or four :) I'm blaming that on the weird weather and I am attempting more this year.

However, I don't really spend money on a lot of other things, so I just consider it a hobby. In terms of that, it's pretty cheap :)

Lisa

My gardening, as well as my cycling saves me lots of money. For me, both are therapy.

The actual plants are really not the spensive, I do a lot of trading.

Moni

I personally don't care if gardening doesn't pay because it is my hobby. I enjoy my pets and they don't pay for sure. I think you have to count your time too. If you consider gardening and canning or preserving food work, then you need to count the cost in time and money. If it is the first thing you want to do when you get up in the morning, if it keeps you interested and makes you happy to be at home, then like they say it's priceless.

How much does gardening cost?
As much as you want to spend on it. LOL

Diane,

I agree they don't have to, but I'm just saying that they often do.

The ones that just kill me are the ones who first go out and buy a big new tiller. They spend somewhere between $500 and $800 on one. They buy new tools. They buy a wheelbarrow. They buy seeds and plants and a new waterhose. Then they rototill the soil, plant the plants, and then...after the first week....they never step foot in the garden again because 'the weeds are taking over'. I'm astounded people would spend that kind of money and then give up on their garden the minute the first 3 weeds sprout, but I see it happen all the time. I am always amazed at how many rototillers (many look dusty but also look like they've never been used or were used only once or twice) you see at garage sales, estate sales, pawn shops, etc.

You can garden with very little money....for example, some places carry those American Seed Company seeds for 5 packs for $1.00 or sometimes even 10 packs for $1.00. You can do trades. You can scrounge up manure and hay and leaves and such, but most people I see here do the opposite--they spend way too much unncessary money before they even know if they'll like gardening, or if it is something they'll take up this month and drop next month. I'm the opposite. I'll put off buying something I 'need' for years before I break down and buy it. I think that's a holdover from putting our son through college. lol You know, forever we saved for college, and then he was actually there and all our money was going to the college...every spare dime. Then, he was out of college and gainfully employed, and suddenly our money was 'ours' again, but we weren't used to spending it. We're getting better at the spendy part...we bought a new vehicle last year for the first time in 12 years, but mostly we drive our old truck. It's just so handy and useful even though it is old and tired and worn out.

I try to tell new gardeners here that they'll get out of the garden what they put into it, and I explain that I'm talking about time and effort, not money. All the money in the world won't give you a great garden if you don't do the work. So many seem willing to spend the money, but not to do the work.

Carol, Your answer made me laugh, but it is a good one. Gardening is all I spend money on, except for our granddaughter. Everyone has something they spend their disposable income on, and for a lot of us, clearly it is the garden.

Dawn

I would guess that only a small percentage save any money by gardening if they kept accurate records. If you factor in the amount of time it takes to do it, only a tiny fraction of all gardeners save anything significant compared to other productive things that could be done by the same people to earn more.

Yet, as most everyone else has said, you get better quality food in most cases and you have had a great and educational time doing it.

I want to put in my 2 cents worth. I figured manufacturing cost for 17 years and if you cost out a garden the same way as costing out a product we are all losing money, so keep your day job. Gardening is for fun.

Larry

Our daughter, who really does have an accounting degree, would agree with you, Larry. She says you have to figure all input. Cost of land, electricity, labor (forget that one!)seeds, fertilizer, plants, trees....% of taxes on said land......you get the idea.

I really was just thinking about how on every corner we are hit with ads for specialty fertilizer for every crop known, special cages to grow things in, things to hold tall plants, things to how short plants, ties of all descriptions, simple labels, fancy labels, and the list goes on......

My thought was just to keep it simple with as low input costs as possible since our "disposable" income seems to have shrink daily!

I charge off my labor as necessary 'excercise', the land was part of the farm which we have anyway, I can't divide off the well water from other usage, so to me the only thing is what I actually buy to make and grow the actual garden itself.

All your ideas are very interesting. Thanks for sharing. You all are a good group to talk to.

Another note along the same lines:

I didn't think my turnips were going to develop (much too thick) so I shopped at a large garden marketer in Springfield and bought some and some lettuce.

I threw the small, white turnips out! They were tasteless and pithy.

I bought three kinds of lettuce; they were tough and very unimpressive.

He doesn't advertise as organic. I maintain when you grow a garden, your input directly affects the quality and taste of your product! Lesson learned. That, alone, makes gardening worth it.

glenda

I put in three raised beds this year and built "frames" for them that can turn them into "greenhouses" in the winter. Started to fill them with some pretty pricey soil until I found out better, that and amending my heavy clay soil so for my very first year this has been kind of expensive. I don't know if this will be worth the cost yet. I am not expecting much this first year until I gain more knowledge. My goal is to eventually grow 90% of what we need.

I agree with Dawn- overall, a new garden does not often save you money. My garden is in its fourth year and I am just now beginning to see my expenses slow a bit. My main cost is/was soil ammendments. There was a little start up cost in tools, tomato cages, etc but most of these I already had or found very cheap or borrowed. My big expense this year has been adding a little more compost (we dont have room for a big compost pile so I have to purchase- which I hate since I know I could make it at home!) and replacing soaker hoses that didn't make it through last year. I also probably spent more on the asthetics of the garden because it is most of my back yard. If I lived on acerage I would not feel like I had to add some of the "pretty" things I did. Also- I have had to purchase plants and not start seeds indoors nowdays because I have a toddler who is into EVERYthing, and I have no place indoors for this right now. "This too shall pass" and I will once again start stuff from seeds and save more money that way.
Dawn I agree with you- I hate to see new gardeners think it is "cheap" because the package of seeds is a dollar!
I think if I had to do it over again I would have paid for a load of topsoil/etc. instead of paying big money for bags at lowes. I expanded my garden gradually and didn't know it was going to be an obsession! Do you think that would have saved me in the long run? I have no idea how much that would have cost. Anyone else ever paid for a big pile o'dirt?

Backyardmomma, We have bought a dumptruck load of 'dirt' twice, once with great results and the second time, not with such great results.

With the first load, we were building raised beds on land my brother owned south of Fort Worth and we bought a load that was a mixture of topsoil and compost. (This was when we lived in an old house on his land for a year in a rural area to 'test drive' living in the country before we sold our house in the city and took the plunge!) The topsoil/compost mix was purchased from Silvercreek Materials in western Tarrant County (they made their own compost then and probably still do, but are too far away for us to use now) and was AMAZING. Everything grew like mad. We had carefully done our research and asked questions and made sure we were getting quality soil. I just loved it and my brother and sister-in-law were amazed how much the raised bed with that blend outperformed their in-ground garden.

In 1999, after moving here right in the middle of planting season (late Feb. or earliest March), I was desperate for topsoil to rototill into our very compacted red clay. DH ordered a load of topsoil from a supplier based in Carter County after calling around and comparing prices and asking them about their topsoil. At the time, no one within 50 miles of us was offering a topsoil/compost blend, so we were stuck with so-called topsoil that was mostly pure sand. It was awful. (I still am not convinced that you can even find really good topsoil for sale here in our rural area....they tell you it is good topsoil, but when you go and look at it, it is sand.) I just mixed the terrible sand with lots of compost and manure and added it to my clay, but I would have been just as happy if we'd never ordered or accepted delivery of that load of junk sand because all it did was bring in billions of weed seeds. At the time, I just said to myself "Well, it is better than nothing". Looking back, though, I think "nothing" would have better better than that poor sand.

So, if you ever splurge and buy soil, try to find some that has compost mixed in and make them tell you what percentage of it is compost. Also, look at the soil they sell before you order it and make it clear you expect soil of the identical quality or you'll refuse to accept delivery when the dumptruck arrives at your house. Unless you have a friend with a Bobcat or front-end loader, expect it to take quite a while to get the soil from the big pile they dump in your driveway or yard to the actual beds you're placing it in. A dumptruck load of soil is a lot of soil, particularly if you're moving it one wheelbarrow load at a time.

Dawn

To be economical I try to avoid "latest & greatest" products & technology. Our greatest splurge is to buy cattle panels for trellis', as we could use poles from the wood lot instead. Seed saving usuAlly saves money too.

George

For most of us, we should look at it as a hobby where you get back a lot of your expenses in eventual savings, and where the quality improvement in food more than makes up for the remaining difference.

I have an interesting perpective due to us selling a large percentage of what we grow, especially blueberries. I will likely never recoup my expenses, but we do get as many free blueberries as we can eat and it is fun.

Gardening costs me a lot of money. I've yet to save anything. We've moved quite a bit so every time we move I start over. I had just figured a way around the clay beds at my old house when we decided to build a new house. I'm starting over again. This may be our forever house so I'm trying to do it up right.

Even with the high cost of gardening, I still do it. I know I don't save money. It is a hobby, but the produce, flowers, or ornamentation is rewarding. It's a also a skill with on the job training. I have 6, 8, and 10 year old kids that I want to know more than just sitting on the couch and having everything handed to them. They enjoy the gardening too. I just got the bulbs I bought last fall planted in March so they are just now starting to bloom. Every day my 6 yo comes in to give me an update on how many are blooming. The kids think it's hilarious to surprise me with pumpkins in with my flowers. I suspect they've already gotten me this year. We hide little statues in the gardens to find. As long as were having fun and enjoying it, we'll keep on doing it regardless of cost.

I co-own/operate a company that installs and maintains raised-bed gardens, so I'd like to show what our models produce. And keep in mind too, that ANYBODY can do what we do, it's just a matter of getting out and doing it.

There's a bunch of numbers coming up, just a warning.

According to a study (http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1641.html)you get an average of 1.24 lbs. per square foot in a raised-bed garden as opposed to .6 lbs. per square foot for a conventional garden.

Another statistic (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/ag-06.html) shows that a conventional garden of 25'x42' will supply two people with a years supply of vegetables. So 1050'sq. of conventional garden (that stat is with 3' between rows mind you) at .6 lbs./sq.ft. is 630 lbs. of vegetables. 630 lbs./365 days comes out to about 1.72 lbs per day.

So, two people will use about 1.72 lbs per day of vegetables. And our raised bed gardens produce about 1.24 lbs./sq.ft. So a 4'x8' garden (32 square ft.) will produce about 40 lbs or enough veggies for 2 people to have veggies for 23 days.

We charge around $300 dollars to install and plant a 4'x8' raised-bed garden. And one can expect to spend anywhere from $25-50 more on peripheries such as trellis, poles and plant supports. So we will say $350 all together. That's roughly $8.75/pound of vegetables. But that's the first year. The next year, the client can plant the garden themselves and spend less than $50.

That's only $1.25 per pound of vegetables.

Material for our gardens are around $110 to $175, greatly varying due to individual plant choice.

In summary, if you do your own raised-bed garden, you could have around a months worth of food for around $3.50/pound or $140 the very first year.

I hope this helps!

I would like to respond to exolutions post. I like the great detail listed, but , I am one of those people that buy about three times what I need, and then cant finf a place to put it.

If my memory serves me correctly, I have purchased 2 yds of compost from the Ft. Smith landfil at $10.00 a yd, plus $10.00 fuel, 1yd of mushroom compost from mulch and more at about $33.00 plus $5.00 fuel. ( I dont know what mushroom compost is), but it is on my new garden. I have also purchesed 1 yd. of chicken litter at $12.00 plus $4.00 fuel. I hace purchesed a bag of lime even tho my soil test still has not come back, and rhat garden has already been planted by now. The lime was about $5.50.
I have bought 4 new tines for the tiller,as well as oil and filter and gear box lube at about $50.00. I bought a bag of 13-13-13 and a bag of cotton seed mill for my wife because she wanted to try something she saw on the internet about how to grow great potatoes, Im sure that was $20.plus I have bought almost $25.00 worth of potting soil ans seed starting mix and not started a single seed this year.

Now on the brighter side, I did pick 2 radishes today, the two together would weight about 1 oz. They were so hot I had to take an alka-seltzer.

There are other cost, but you get the picture. I will not try to add the cost of my produce this year, but you can see it is at this point costing me severial hundred dollars a lb. for food that makes me sick. I have such a good deal going on my one garden you can easily see why I want to build one or two more.

With all that said. I am big time happy when I am out playing in the dirt.

Well I am so sleepy I am numb and dumb, good night , Larry

Larry,

I am big-time happy when I am out playing in the dirt too, so I consider every penny spent on gardening well-spent.

I hope you're doing well.

Dawn