What’s a Home Garden Worth?

[The Straight Story]

What’s a Home Garden Worth?

With the global economy spiraling downward and Mother Nature preparing to reach upward, it’s a good question to ask and a good time to ask it.

There isn’t one right answer, of course, but I’ll give you mine: $2149.15. Last year, my wife Jacqueline suggested to me that we calculate the total value of the produce coming out of our garden over the course of the growing season. Initially, the thought of doing that was about as appealing to me as a recreational root canal. I remember replying something like: “OK, so let me get this right: in addition to raising three busy boys, managing two careers, volunteering in a school garden, and growing most of our own produce, you’re proposing that we weigh every item that comes out of our garden, write it down in a log book, and spend a few leisurely evenings doing math?” Jacqueline, an economics major in college and a native French speaker, answered with a simple "oui" and so the project began.

There was a lot of work involved, mostly for Jacqueline, but as with gardening itself, it was work with a purpose. It didn’t take long for our log book to start filling up with dates and figures. Although we started eating our first garden salads in late April, we only began recording our harvests as of May 10th, starting first with greens and asparagus. Our last weighable harvest was two weeks ago in the form of a final cutting of Belgian endives forced from roots in our basement.

By the time we had finished weighing it all, we had grown 834 pounds and over six months worth of organic food (we’re still eating our own winter squash, onions, garlic, and frozen items like strawberries, green beans, and pesto cubes). Once we had the weights of the 35 main crops we grew, we then calculated what it would have cost us to buy the same items using three different sets of prices: conventional grocery store, farmers’ market and organic grocery store (Whole Foods, in our case). The total value came to $2196.50, $2431.15, and $2548.93 respectively. For the other economics majors and number crunchers among you, you can see our crunchy, raw data here:

http://kitchengardeners.org/blogs/roger-doiron/home-garden-worth

[Auntie Bush]

1. Depends on how good the gardener is and how cooperative Mother Nature is.

[kentauros]

18. Compost! Compost! Compost!

Once you have healthy soil, even the worst gardener can be successful :D

Rich, composted and loamy soil holds water, grows all those good bacteria we need, attracts earthworms and improves the health of the plant, including making it hardier against disease; I'm not sure how that applies to fungal problems. But, growing mushrooms on your compost heap helps improve it, too :)

[K8-EEE]

2. I love my garden but I end up blowing a lot of $$ on it

I always have the best intentions to be frugal, but shit happens (bugs, slugs etc.!) and I end frantically buying all kinds of organic remedies for it. However it's waaaay worth it to have fresh produce in your back yard, SO MUCH BETTER than the kind at the store, and both my kids LOVE vegetables because they grew up helping grow them and having the freshest and the best!

[Retrograde]

3. What about your expenses?

Here, the big ticket item is water, since we get no rain from about mid-April to late November most years. Even with extensive mulching the garden has to be watered regularly.

[Curmudgeoness]

7. I don't know how much water goes down your drain

while you are waiting for hot water, or from a bath or shower. When I lived in an area that was in drought, I collected almost every drop of water that would have been wasted for the garden. You have to use some creativity sometimes to save money (and of course a little more work, or I guess a lot more work if your garden is far from the house).

[spedtr90]

9. Does anyone have a rain barrel?

If so, how did it work for you? We are considering getting one.

[wildeyed]

20. Yes, I have rain barrels.

They work fine and are helpful when we have droughts and the city starts watering restrictions. I also use mine to water the veggie garden almost exclusively. It is part of my "game" to see how few outside resources I can use and still produce nice veggies. Of course I still had to buy the barrels, but they are holding up well and seem to be a god investment. I haul the water by hand to the garden in buckets, which is a lot of work, but on the plus side, my shoulders look like I have a personal trainer by about midseason :)

[spedtr90]

24. Thanks!

Sounds good!

[Drew Richards]

27. rain barrels are awesome they work great

[onethatcares]

37. rain barrels, 5 gal buckets, 1 gallon milk jugs

all told I keep 125 gallons of water on hand for a measly little 10x10 garden with tomatos, peppers, okra, mesclun, sometimes carrots, and whatever else i feel like trying.

the hardest thing for me was trying to figure out the floriduh growing season. I'm in zone 9.5 and have to plant in August to harvest in March-May.

This is the first year I harvested cherry tomatos, big boys (yeehaw) and a bunch of collards, jalepenos, and some wierd hot little suckers that look like poblans but are much smaller.

Next year, the moon.:bounce:

[Retrograde]

12. About enough for the houseplants

I live in a semi-arid climate; most vegetable plants are very thirsty. I've been using water-saving methods since the 70s. Even using gray water and saving what would go down the drain I can't keep a garden going without irrigation. I'd rather water vegetables than lawn, though: at least I get something for the expense.

On the plus side, once they get established fruit trees, roses, and many herbs can get through the dry season without any additional help, thanks to the adobe that passes for soil.

[Curmudgeoness]

13. Yep, veggies and lawns both are very thristy.

And I have to agree with you that veggies are of much more value than the lawns, especially when you have to water either of them. But even with watering, it sounds like your area would make vegetables a challenge. They just do not produce well without lots of water. Sounds like you are doing all that you can, unlike most people who just do not appreciate how much water is wasted.

[Gormy Cuss]

28. They estimated expenses (including water) at $282 for the season

but they are in ME where most years the natural rain cycle is all that one needs.

Here in CA we can achieve massive savings on water long term if we can set up a cistern system to catch some of the winter rain from roof runoff. It won't be cheap in the first year or two but in subsequent years it will become more cost competitive than paying for municipal water. It probably would never be as cheap as the bloggers' estimate of $40 for their six month season. OTOH, in much of CA we get six months of free water in a ten to twelve month growing climate and the potential to grow more of our own produce year round.


eta: just checked your profile and you're definitely in a twelve month climate. I live in Contra Costa.

[sendero]

4. If food supplies are disrupted....

... your garden could be priceless.

I know most here don't think that is possible, I think it is very very possible.

[BanzaiBonnie]

6. Food insecurity can hold a number of meanings

I agree that the biggest concern to me would be food supplies being disrupted.

[Drew Richards]

5. Wow that calculation is almost same as mine

We spent:

$20 seeds
squash varieties
zucchini
Iceberg lettuce
Carrots
Melons
sweet corn
$15 plant starter pods
$27 Ground boarder barrier

Total:
$62 bucks

for a garden size of 20ft by 30ft

total values came to

$2361
$3648
$0
Unfortunately for the second half of the season the garden was wiped out completely ARRRGGGHHHHH...
We only used 6 foot high chicken wire fencing with metal pole stakes...

Where I live is HIGHLY populated with deer and with all the development our 15 acres are the only woods left :(
They jumped the 6 foot fence like you or I would step over a twig on the ground...I was beautiful to watch but sniff you know.
They devoured EVERYTHING...

We are debating right now buying 8 foot kennel fencing for the garden or just not doing it anymore.

[Snoutport]

8. Thank you for feeding the deer. :0)

even if you didn't mean too.

[Motown_Johnny]

11. I would try to extend the existing fence to make it taller

just buy some 4 foot chicken wire and attach it to the top.

There will be some overlap so you should get another 3 feet out of it (or so).


I don't know what type of posts you have holding up the existing fencing so I can't make any specific recommendation on how to extend those to the needed height, but it shouldn't be to difficult.

[robinlynne]

16. YOu can actually buy lion urine. A tiny bit will keep the deer away.

I don't know how they get the lion urine; that might be a terrible thing to participate in, but it is a simple thing to do for deer, or so I read.

[Drew Richards]

25. Good ideal i'll stop by Southern States

They will probably carry it.

[nebenaube]

23. If you have 15 acres...

Why not put sacrificial forage crops on the far side of the property?

[Drew Richards]

26. tried that...they like the veggies

The problem is we are the only woods left in the area...all the deer herds bed down around us...oh an poaching and gunshots are a nightmare.
There are just too many around us a forage crop would just increase the herds and they would still devour the garden.
No I will try the lion urine till my long fencing arrives next week.

But thx for the suggestion.

[bvar22]

33. You don't need to raise your fences.

Just attach 3' wooden extensions (like broomsticks, or tomato stakes)) to the metal poles,
and tie twine or cheap soft line between the poles.
The deer will see it, and probably won't try to jump something 8' - 9' high.
Don't bother to use the brightly colored surveyor's twine,
because deer are color blind.

...that, or a good Porch Dog who stays outside all night should solve the problem.

We moved to The Woods and started growing our own food in 2006.
At first, we LOVED seeing Deer in our yard in the mornings.
We would drink coffee and peek out of windows to watch these beautiful creatures.
That didn't last long.
They eat EVERYTHING.
Now, we see them as large rats,
and chase them away with air horns, shouting, and waving arms.
On the way back inside, we say to each other,
"You know, if we ever get really hungry...."

Deer are beautiful animals,
but are a real nuisance when they are overpopulated.

[Drew Richards]

36. I like that ideal

I'll grab some dowel rods duck tape and twine and see if I cant create a visual barrier.
I have a feeling they will just lean and push against the fence till they find a way in but what the heck its worth a try.
I love me some fresh veggies :)

[bvar22]

38. Adding on.

You can also get a roll very inexpensive florescent plastic streamer tape.
(I forget what it is called, but the timber companies use it to tie around trees or mark trails.)
This is a cheap way to make the fence top extension seem more solid.

Add a tin/aluminum pie pan to a 2' streamer and tie it to the top line.
The slightest wind will make these move, and when they hit each other or the pole or fence, they make a banging noise. Deer hate random movement and noise.

These also makes a fairly effective crow deterrent.
The deer can't see color, but the crows can, so bright florescent colors work better.
The streamers & pans often get tangled up,
but untangling them is a reasonable price for keeping crows out of the Strawberries (or anything else).
We add these to poles inside the garden to protect from crows.

[FirstLight]

10. good info...

The initial payout is what may make one think it's not worth it. But as stated above, food insecurity can change that.

But the big deal is also having a root cellar or winter stillroom. Learning how to preserve and use your freezer are crucial if you want to get the most bang for your buck.
I am trying to get a community garden off the ground in a very short growing seasonal area...but i figure if we can do the canning and teach the kids it will be worth it in the long run too...

[Drew Richards]

14. Your post is spot on...

Root celler, dry storage canning, jellies if you really really want to see your grocery budget drop to next to nothing, get serious and plan to can :P

[pitohui]

15. seems a little high but...

yah once i realized i was paying several hundred dollars to have a home garden plus risk of heat stroke i said fuck it and packed it in... never let it get to where my garden was costing me two thousand, i'm genuinely a poor person i can't afford such nonsense

if your home garden is worth 2K bless your heart, i hope you;re right but down in the real world gardens don't pay they cost

we lose a few to encephalitis and heat stroke every year and true death is the worse case scenario but i've never seen much evidence that home gardens are cost effective

if you're gardening to save money you just get angry and don't enjoy it, if you can admit it's a hobby then you can relax

same w. clothes, no way i can compete sewing clothes w. slave labor from china, i have to be able to make something special to be worth it because it isn't economic

we cannot compete w. slave labor pretending we can just causes self hatred and self anger

i don't know who "jaqueline" is but making a woman your slave is making me very, very uncomfortable w. this post and this thread, it's clear you are making money/calculating value of this garden based on another's work

when you can post based on doing the work yourself, instead of exploiting another, i would be a lot happier with you

[robinlynne]

17. weird, just weird.

[blueamy66]

29. What?

The post was about gardening and saving money on veggies at the grocery store.

I have 4 raised gardens. I go out every morning to check my "crops". It is very enjoyable.

Heat stroke? Really? I live in AZ and have never come anywhere near to having heatstroke tending to my garden.

It's a hobby and a way to save money on veggies.

Chill out.....

[Manifestor_of_Light]

40. It's the humidity that gets ya.

When the humidity is high, the temperature does not cool down at night.
Here in TX, at least the East half, we have terrible humidity.

I grew up in Houston and many a night the low would be 78 or 80, and I would be unable to sleep. We had a couple of inadequate window units and it was miserable. It's impossible to function in Houston without air conditioning for about six months out of the year.

In dry climates, it cools off at night. That's where the humidity really makes a difference.

I got heat exhaustion years ago playing racquetball indoors, in air conditioning, but I don't know what the temp was. I had to go to the emergency room because i was throwing up.

[spinbaby]

19. We've given up gardening

Too much work for too little return when we have a perfectly nice farmers market.

[Auntie Bush]

32. That's what I said last year...after all that work and not much to show for it.

But I think I'll give it a try again this year...but on a smaller scale.

[nebenaube]

43. I had a 20 x 40 plot..

Still making Chili with canned tomatoes,have a few cases of pickles, two cases of salsa, plenty of canned green beans, canned squash, canned potatoes, dried garlic, dried herbs, sweet potato roots and seed stock.

[Auntie Bush]

44. Holy Shit!!!!!!

I guess you won't need to do any more gardening this year.

[hobbit709]

21. In my case it wold offset by water costs and medical expenses.

My back tells me about it just putting on my shoes.

[wildeyed]

22. I wish they would post a pic of the garden.

It sounds lovely! I don't know how much my little garden patch produces, but the food tastes wonderful, and there is a certain kind of satisfaction is saying "I grew that tomato myself." Makes me feel very competent. And if we ever do face serious shortages, I know I have the skills to take care of my family, at least partially.

[FirstLight]

30. Thanks for the link! Great find!

regardless of this specific article, i joined the site and plan to use it as a tool for connecting with others in my region and getting ideas...so cool!
:bounce:
I am looking forward to my growing season...the snow *just* finished melting last week! yikes!

[bigtree]

31. that's funny

I was just adding up the estimated value of the multiplying plants in our yard. It's up there. Of course, there's always the challenge of finding the right market to realize that worth. I'd like to think my own garden is priceless.

[bvar22]

35. The RICHEST man in The World...

The RICHEST man in The World did not eat Asparagus and Poached Eggs (Free Range) on Toast
that tasted better than what we ate today.
The Strawberries we had for dessert were sublime.

It was totally worth the effort,
and is unavailable at any cost in the Supermarkets, or even Framers Markets.

The initial costs of starting a garden can be high,
and the effort required sometimes overwhelming,
but year after year, the costs and effort decline,
especially if the soil is cared for properly
with Closed Loop composting.

Ours gets easier and cheaper every year.

[surrealAmerican]

34. They appear not to have factored in seasonal price variations ...

... when calculating the "value" of their produce. I don't doubt that they saved a lot of money on food, but it's a bit more difficult to figure out how much they actually would have spent had they not grown their own food.

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

39. I sold just under $5,000 worth from our place last year.

We didn't keep track of what we ate ourselves. Most of that was selling chestnuts in the fall, but some was greens and lettuce through the summer.

[Taitertots]

41. How much is your time worth?

Much more than 2 or 3 hours a week and it is not worth it for me.

[Texasgal]

42. I have huge hundred year old oaks

in my yard. It's too damn shaded. I've tried cutting back branches and container gardening where I could move the containers around ( It didn't work ). My yard won't even grow grass! :(

It really helps the cooling bills the summer though. :(