Vegetable Economics
Last post 12-05-2009 6:01 PM by sue1002. 9 replies.
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18/04/2009 02:44 PM
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Does growing your own really save as much money as the media suggest? Click here to read my article!
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18/04/2009 03:51 PM
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- Susiq
- Northumberland
- 16 Feb 2008
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1,104
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Interesting - BUT you are only basing it on the money aspect, fair enough I guess, if that is all you are setting out to achieve (money saving).
There is also an enormous amount of satisfaction to be gained in growing things oneself. Also ask any keen gardener which has the better taste - shop bought or homegrown? No contest, homegrown will win hands down!
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18/04/2009 05:25 PM
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- Digger
- Northern UK
- 18 Jul 2005
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4,743
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I think growing your own vegetables and fruit does save money in the long run especially if grow from seed, you can pay £1 for a single lettuce in a supermarket or buy 500 lettuce seeds for ten bob, you don't need to buy any special compost or feed or anything like that, just an investment of time. I spend much money on my show vegetables where money isn't a factor I will spend as much as I need to to produce top quality showbench vegetables.
digger 
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18/04/2009 05:40 PM
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- Phot's-Moll
- The sunny South coast.
- 06 Jan 2007
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3,347
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I agree with Susiq that there's more to growing your own than saving money. A few advantages are; exercise, fresher (and therefore tastier and healthier) fruit and veg, greater choice of varieties, you're likely to eat more if you grow your own and less waste in the form of packaging.
I save money on herbs as I use a lot and they're expensive to grow, mixed salad leaves are alsomuch cheaper to grow than to buy. As Digger says you save in the long run - the first year might actually cost more if you need to buy tools, pots and all your seeds. The second and following years will be much cheaper.
Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.
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18/04/2009 06:19 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,200
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I'm with the others here, growing your own is much more satisfying than buying from the shops and where else can you cook something immediately after it's been picked? and you know what's gone on it.
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18/04/2009 06:27 PM
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- miranda
- Oxfordshire
- 17 Nov 2004
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2,977
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I like growing herbs too, Phot's. It's the fancy stuff that I like to grow - lemon grass, Thai basil, Thai lime leaf and sweet basil. The flavours are far more intense when you pick them fresh. To begin with it was those herbs not being locally available that got me growing them, but now I like to have them fresh and right to hand. I agree with all the other stuff about exercise, packaging and food miles as well. It's good to know where your food has come from and so much the better if it's from your garden.
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23/04/2009 09:06 PM
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- Dragonfly
- North Yorkshire
- 23 Apr 2009
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6
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I agree with Susiq its more than just the money although this really helps in the current climite. I grow organically so I definitely save as supermarkets like to charge a premium for organic produce. Then there’s the money you save by spending all your free time down the allotment enjoying being close to nature and feeling the stresses of the week fall away.Not forgetting the free workout you get so save on having to pay a gym membership. Also there are the cut flowers to brighten your home and give as presents the preserves you make to give as gifts or enjoy yourself. I think we win hands down when it comes to flavour. Your never stuck for things to do. In fact I can’t think of any negatives to growing your own and lastly it must be really good for you as one of the plot holders on our allotments is 85 years young and has several plots
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11/05/2009 10:32 PM
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- Mi Jardin
- Colchester
- 11 May 2009
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6
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ditto to all the above posts, but in additon, it can save you money. As an example, at the supermarket you can pay £1.50 ish for a bag of beans, you can get many many bags out of a few beans seeds. You soon get your money back on your pot and compost too. Other veg, not so much profit there....we just do it because we love it! :)
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12/05/2009 01:05 PM
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In terms of how small my balcony is, I'm aware that it may not be financially better than shopping in the supermarket - as everyone on here says, it's for the enjoyment that we garden! However, one area that ANYONE can grow vegetables etc and save money is herbs. I looked on a retailer's website and vacuum packed, sagging 'fresh' herbs retail at around 80p. I have bought 4 pots of fresh herbs for £5 and despite providing more value for money, why on earth would anyone choose not to have a selection of amazing fresh herbs? I've dedicated the latest blog post on the London Vegetable Garden to this topic - herb gardening - click here!
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12/05/2009 06:01 PM
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- sue1002
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- 06 Sep 2005
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5,200
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You would have saved more Callum if you'd sown the seed instead of buying the plants. I bought some herb seeds last year off a market stall for 10p and had a free packet sent me. I used some of the packet last year for plants for myself and sowed from the same packets this year, and still have lots left for next year.
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