Growing ur own fruit and veg, worth it?

ijrwe

realfood wrote: »

It has been estimated that an area of 250 sq ms, should be able to produce some £1500 worth of fruit and vegetables a year, a sum not to be sniffed at in these difficult times.

Intriguing - I doubt many people manage that, though, surely?

floss2

ijrwe wrote: »

Intriguing - I doubt many people manage that, though, surely?

I think so, in a good year, if you bear in mind that that's producing £1500 worth, not saving £1500.

I haven't calculated how much money we would have spent on fruit & veg if I hadn't had the allotment this year, but I would guess it is several hundred pounds if not more. When we have a better year I could possibly get near that figure.

ijrwe

floss2 wrote: »

I think so, in a good year, if you bear in mind that that's producing £1500 worth, not saving £1500.

I haven't calculated how much money we would have spent on fruit & veg if I hadn't had the allotment this year, but I would guess it is several hundred pounds if not more. When we have a better year I could possibly get near that figure.

If £1500 is the gross value of the produce, what do you suppose the net value is? Ignoring labour, of course.

floss2

Depends on the variants:

Where you are growing - if allotment there will be fees which vary across the country, but if garden, then is already paid for with housing costs. Also whether a greenhouse / frame is already in situ or has to be made / bought.

Whether established plants (eg my raspberries & blackcurrants), gifted plants / seeds, saved seeds or purchased seeds / plants.

Whether purchases of fertiliser / composts / canes / pots / grow-bags etc or using established stock of equipment & h/m compost.

For example, I have bought seeds & plants, compost, grow-bags, fertiliser etc as I have not had a garden for over 6 years and had no equiment except what I inherited in my allotment shed & greenhouse. So if I dare to add that all up, and work out the cost of what I would have had to pay to buy what I have grown, then I would get an approximate net value.

But I'm not that bothered and I don't have the time (or the nerve!) to do that. I enjoy it, we love the fresh produce and that's it for me. Oh, and my husband says it keeps me out of the shops and out from under his feet

cyclonebri1

As said;
No it's not a financial saving, but it's very satisfying to munch on stuff straight out of the ground.

Good for the soul too and the way I see it is that why the hell would you pound away at the gym when all that energy can be directed to cultivating stuff, therapeutic work I think is the correct term.

My view?, grow what wants to grow, don't battle with the difficult stuff, or things that aren't easy due to your area/conditions.
Only trial and error or a little advice fro neighbours will help there.

Expect the odd disappointment, there have been a fair few this year, but there are every year.

Grow a few flowers for cutting, glads, dahlias are so easy and cheap. They are always appreciated.

Don't make it hard work, "farm" as much as you can comfortably, be it a small garden or several allotments.

On reflection it will probably cost you rather than save you money, but it keeps you out of the gym, or pub depending on your persuation:D:D:D

Leif

Mine won't be financially viable for many years. I've just put down some granite slab paths around the newly dug veg beds, and they cost a good few hundred quid. But they add to the garden, make it more decorative, and mean I can harvest stuff without wearing wellies in wet weather. Then there will be the greenhouse, again I doubt that will pay back the investment. I could have spent much less, but as cyclonebri1 says, it is good healthy exercise, and enjoyable. And I am told that a nice garden adds value to the house, and makes it more sellable.

cyclonebri1

Leif wrote: »

Mine won't be financially viable for many years. I've just put down some granite slab paths around the newly dug veg beds, and they cost a good few hundred quid. But they add to the garden, make it more decorative, and mean I can harvest stuff without wearing wellies in wet weather. Then there will be the greenhouse, again I doubt that will pay back the investment. I could have spent much less, but as cyclonebri1 says, it is good healthy exercise, and enjoyable. And I am told that a nice garden adds value to the house, and makes it more sellable.

Exactly, good healthy and productive exercise.

But a good point is raised there Leif, re the greenhouse.
Given you have one, then I think that is likely to be the most profitable/productive "section" of the garden;);)
Last toms came in this week, loads of seeds in for next year already.

floss2

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

....Grow a few flowers for cutting, glads, dahlias are so easy and cheap. They are always appreciated.....

I can't abide glads, dahlias or crysanths...but love the flowers I do have on my plot!

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

....On reflection it will probably cost you rather than save you money, but it keeps you out of the gym, or pub depending on your persuation:D:D:D

Nope, have to pass the pub on the way home and often meet DH in there to wash away the dirt

cyclonebri1

floss2 wrote: »

I can't abide glads, dahlias or crysanths...but love the flowers I do have on my plot!


Chysanths I can't abide either, hate earwigs:D


Nope, have to pass the pub on the way home and often meet DH in there to wash away the dirt

Ah, there's the issue, I can't pass a ;);):Dpub either


But seriously the odd decent cut-able flower does add a different dimension, forgot to mention carnations, mate of mine does them by the bucket load

floss2

I only have a 3/5 plot, with a greenhouse & shed, so not so much spare space for floral.