Adding up the cost??

[skegblade]

We've collected over 4kg of blackberries from rogue bushes which grow in the hedge bordering one side of our site and there are still masses to come. We saw a 125 gram pack of them in our local co-op last week; they were £2.49 reduced to £1.49!!! Ours are totally free and taste better straight from the bush; here's one fruit bush I won't have to buy. I'm looking forward to the pies and jam that are to to come. Like you Slug, we're over-run with beans; so much so that we're struggling to find room to freeze them. Looks like we'll have to buy another freezer for next year's crops! lol

[bramble]

I actually did buy a second frideg for just that purpose and have it in my OH shed. I had such a bumper crop of peas and brocolli that i just did'nt have the space. Since then i have frozen soups, salsa berries pies and anything else that comes my way and is handy for freezing. Have to say, it was well worth it.

[Snadger]

Its the spin offs that do it for me, fresh air, peace and quiet, exercise and being able to do things at my own pace (rather slow at times!)

The crops are a bit of a bonus really!

[ally]

My husband finally agreed that my small amount of veg growing in the greenhouse was worth all the time and effort watering when he saw the price of an aubergine last week in Morrison £1.05.
My one plant cost £1.25 and so far I have had 6 aubergines and there is 5 growing at the moment.
only thing is they are small, now i have my allotment (weed patch at the moment) i shall have to give this some more though on how to get them bigger. But for my first go I'm pleased

[multiveg]

Runners and broad beans always seem to be overpriced in the supermarkets considering they are so easy to grow. Imagine if Jack's beanstalk just produced loads of lovely runner beans, they'd be rich!
In one of the other errrr magazines, one contributor worked out monthly cost of his allotment. He'd end with "-and, of course, I am all the fitter for it!" Just dug out the mag, his expenditure and savings: over one year, he spent £82.94, and saved £123.68 (based on prices at supermarkets) making £40.74 profit. He grew organically but not all the prices he was able to get for his harvest were for the organic.

[JazzDuke]

I would still grow my own for many reasons even if it were more expensive.

However, have you (I haven't read the whole thread) factored in your time at the minimum wage? If you want to make true comparison that's only fair.

[multiveg]

I wouldn't try to factor in time and minimum wage for a hobby I enjoy. If you didn't grow your own fruit and veg, you'd have to buy them (though presumably not the costlier veg too often).

[dexterdoglancashire]

Haven't done a cost comparison, but lets face it we are £s in by growing our own - to state the obvious - flavour, taste, no air miles and most of all the satisfaction of growing your own and putting it on your plate! dexterdog

[vicki]

not to mention the gym fees your'e saving 'cos you get enough exercise doing your veg!!