{"id":238,"date":"2010-05-17T09:47:02","date_gmt":"2010-05-17T13:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mymontys.com\/wordpress\/?p=238"},"modified":"2010-06-01T17:23:18","modified_gmt":"2010-06-01T21:23:18","slug":"is-gardening-really-worth-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/?p=238","title":{"rendered":"Is Gardening Really Worth it?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>That seems like an odd question to be asking here on a gardening and plant blog.\u00a0 But I am an accidental gardener and a full-time marketing and communications person. So, ultimately, every question in my career comes down to an ROI, or return on investment, question.\u00a0 You know, the stuff they teach in Business 101 classes; things like state your goals, make sure they are measurable, blah blah blah.\u00a0 So, with that as my filter and with summer produce starting to appear in the grocery store at sale prices, I started wondering, &#8220;Is all this really worth it?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>First, as a primer, I recommend you check out these web stories.\u00a0 The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.extension.purdue.edu\/gardentips\/vegetables\/getstarted\/\">first from Purdue University<\/a>\u00a0then there is this one from our friends <a href=\"http:\/\/articles.moneycentral.msn.com\/CollegeAndFamily\/RaiseKids\/will-a-vegetable-garden-save-money.aspx\">over at MSN<\/a>.\u00a0 Both come to this conclusion, it depends.<\/p>\n<p>I must say that I would agree.\u00a0 Some vegetables, from a purely economic standpoint, just are not worth the time and investment.\u00a0 Once you account for your time, the equipment necessary, the land that could be used for something else (opportunity cost, <a href=\"http:\/\/epolicy.blogspot.com\/2009\/05\/concept-i-opportunity-cost.html\">thank you Adam Smith<\/a>), etc., it can be hard to break-even on a modest size garden.\u00a0 As you move to a larger garden and if you have family members to help you, then you can get some economies of scale but the costs can still be rather high for some fixed inputs like seed.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some things to consider:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A good tool is worth it&#8217;s cost.\u00a0 Don&#8217;t settle for cheap tools.\u00a0 <strong>Buy quality, Buy Once.<\/strong>\u00a0 I, myself, have opted to only add to my tool collection a little at a time.\u00a0 My first year I only bought what\u00a0I absolutely had to have.\u00a0 A shovel, hoe, rake, two hand tools, and two garden hoses (later that fall after learning the need for one, I splurged for a wheel-barrow after an unexpected windfall left me with an extra $75 in my pocket.\u00a0 It was &#8216;found money&#8217; and i would have used it on Dr. Peppers, or i-tunes anyway&#8230;I figured this was a better use.)\u00a0 By buying nicer tools, I am relatively assured that they will be here for several seasons and will perform as desired, hold their edge, and not break down. Y0u can get some really good heirloom quality hand tools <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wilcoxallpro.com\/wilcox3_tools.html\">here<\/a>. (after three seasons, I have zero complaints).\u00a0 I am still hoping\u00a0to be able to splurge for a tiller in the near future from craigslist but so far I have not found what I am looking for at a cost that seems reasonable for a tool I would use a handful of times throughout the year.<\/li>\n<li>When figuring your costs, some things can be spread over several seasons.\u00a0 Garden hoses for example (each of mine were contractor grade and cost between $25 and $30) will not be used up after one season.\u00a0 If taken care of, they should last for at least 5 seasons so my real cost is only $5-6 per year.\u00a0 My wheel barrow was almost $75 dollars but I expect to use it more than a decade so again my costs will avg less than $10 per season.<\/li>\n<li>Your consumable inputs &#8211; things you use, use up, then\u00a0have to replace &#8211; are the real budget busters so look to save wherever you can.\u00a0 If possible buy seeds rather than plants, buy seeds in bulk rather than pre-packaged, shop on-line or from catalogue centers.\u00a0 I also highly recommend one in particular, Berlin Seeds in Berlin, Ohio.\u00a0 They are Amish, so don&#8217;t expect to e-mail them an order or have online shopping capabilities.\u00a0 But their catalogues are wonderful and their quality is very high.\u00a0 Plus their integrity above impeachment.\u00a0 Call and ask to be put on their mailing list @ 1-877-464-0892. The catalogues are not only full of seeds, bulbs, etc., but also have loads of gardening tips passed down from generations of Amish families and farmers. Finally, look for natural remedies with household products for controlling weeds and insects.<\/li>\n<li>Improving your soil should be looked at as a process, not a quick fix.\u00a0 Sure, you can do the quick fix thing, but it will be VERY expensive.\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/mymontys.com\/wordpress\/?p=139\">Compost and manures are availble for free <\/a>if you are willing to do your homework. <a href=\"http:\/\/mymontys.com\/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=12:lc&amp;catid=2:fertility-products&amp;Itemid=4\">Monty&#8217;s Liquid Carbon <\/a>can also help expedite the process.\u00a0 Work with your county extension agent to do a soil test, and to find out what plants perform well in your area.\u00a0 Some plants, or some varieties of plants, just won&#8217;t grow in your climate\/soil.\u00a0 Start by working with what nature gives you and amend your garden to your needs a section at a time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here are\u00a0the break-outs of some costs\u00a0 I have incurred while getting my gardening lifestyle up and going.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hoses (3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $\u00a0 25.00 ea<\/li>\n<li>Seed packets\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1.29 each<\/li>\n<li>Seed (bulk)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1-3 per pound\u00a0 1\/4 to 1\/2 pound has been more than enough for\u00a0anything I have grown.<\/li>\n<li>Hoe\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $\u00a0\u00a019.00\u00a0 Local Hardware store<\/li>\n<li>Rake\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $\u00a0 22.00 Local Hardware store<\/li>\n<li>Hand-tools\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $ 7-21.00 plus shipping from Wilcox All Pro Tools<\/li>\n<li>Wheel Barrow\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $ 72.00\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 From Local farmer&#8217;s Co-op<\/li>\n<li>Compost and manure $ FREE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 worked with county gov. and some local farmers. All it cost me was time.<\/li>\n<li>Chemicals\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $ 24.00 qt.\u00a0\u00a0 I use these very sparingly, and mainly for weed control in spring or fall. Once\u00a0I have crops in the garden I hand weed.\u00a0 Insect control, \u00a0I use household products, hand remove slugs, beetles and eggs and pray alot.<\/li>\n<li>Water\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $\u00a0\u00a0 3.00 per month &#8211; This is about the difference in my water bill once my garden is in.\u00a0 I make sure my garden receives at least 1 inch of moisture per week.\u00a0 I would rather pay for a little bit of water and make sure\u00a0I get to harvest a crop.\u00a0 For example, last season, my neighbor who is an old-timer and firmly believes that God will send all the water that the plants need and he &#8220;ain&#8217;t about to waste money watering no plants&#8221; got about 1\/3rd &#8211; 1\/2\u00a0less produce last summer than I did, even though his garden, by all rights, looks better than mine.<\/li>\n<li>Fertilizer\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $\u00a0 75.00 per season.\u00a0 I use Monty&#8217;s three formulas exclusively and the quart bottles are more than enough to get me through the season. Even though I spoon feed them at least twice a week.<\/li>\n<li>Pump Sprayers\u00a0 $10-25\u00a0\u00a0 I own two.\u00a0 The first one cost me almost $25\u00a0 last season and nothing goes in it but herbicides.\u00a0 I strongly believe in segregating between &#8216;death chemicals&#8217; &#8211; herbicides etc&#8230; and &#8216;life chemicals&#8217; &#8211; my liquid fertilizers and soil conditioners.\u00a0 This season, though, when\u00a0I bought my second sprayer the price had fallen dramatically to only $10.00 for the same size\/same brand\/same store.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In season, it may be hard to feel like it makes financial sense to garden, after all produce is coming in from producers who have economies of scale and can sale things more cheaply than you can raise them.\u00a0 BUT, keep an eye on the savings in the fall and winter because that is when you savings will really add up.\u00a0 For example, this year at Christmas all of our side dishes came from our own garden.\u00a0 Tomatoes and onions that were near two dollars a pound and kinda mealy at the store were fresh, &#8216;free,&#8217; and as close as my pantry and freezer.\u00a0 Ditto that for my daughter&#8217;s recent birthday.\u00a0 Plus, there is a sense of pride that overwhelms you when you sit down to fresh frozen okra at supper while the snow is piling up outside.<\/p>\n<p>Now, I realize that this has reduced things to a mere economic question and there are myriad other reasons like health, quality, accessibility, exercise, and sheer enjoyment that are hard to quantify.\u00a0 But if you garden smart, and grow slowly, you can make gardening worth it, not only for the food you receive but for the pleasure and the satisfaction of a job well done.<\/p>\n<p class=\"facebook\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share.php?u=https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/?p=238\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/add-to-facebook-plugin\/facebook_share_icon.gif\" alt=\"Share on Facebook\" title=\"Share on Facebook\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share.php?u=https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/?p=238\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Share on Facebook\">Share on Facebook<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>That seems like an odd question to be asking here on a gardening and plant blog.\u00a0 But I am an accidental gardener and a full-time marketing and communications person. So, ultimately, every question in my career comes down to an ROI, or return on investment, question.\u00a0 You know, the stuff they teach in Business 101 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"facebook\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share.php?u=https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/?p=238\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/add-to-facebook-plugin\/facebook_share_icon.gif\" alt=\"Share on Facebook\" title=\"Share on Facebook\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share.php?u=https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/?p=238\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Share on Facebook\">Share on Facebook<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,8,9,4],"tags":[42,43,76,46,18,75,77,232,50,47,70,44,11,36,13],"class_list":["post-238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-advice","category-gardening","category-news","category-veg","tag-compost","tag-composting","tag-cost-of-gardening","tag-fertilizer","tag-garden","tag-gardening-expense","tag-gardneing-economics","tag-gardening","tag-liquid-carbon","tag-montys-2-15-15","tag-montys-4-15-12","tag-montys-plant-food","tag-montys-plant-food-company","tag-natural-gardening","tag-soil-test"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=238"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":243,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238\/revisions\/243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}