Many of those I talk to feel that gardening is expensive and that it would be cheaper to buy produce from the store. I guess that you can make an argument that if you take your labor and multiply it by an average labor rate and then estimate the land costs of your garden cost while adding in the cost for your water and gardening tools then it is possible that it is cheaper to buy from the store.

That being said, realistically we should only count cost incurred from actually having a garden vs. not having one. That would be things like money for seeds, fertilizer, special mulches and the occasional tool. According to a recent study done by the National Gardening Association in 2008, the average food gardener spends $70 a year on their garden. The average gardener has a 600 sq.ft plot for their garden. Given a $2 per pound average produce price and 1/2 lbs per sq.ft of produce produced (according to the study). That is an average of $600 of produce produced per gardener. If you subtract the $70 investment. That is a $530 return on investment or a 757% return on your money. In times of economic uncertainty, what could be better than that?

This return is consistent with my experiences. Last year, I estimate that we produced over $1000 in produce and we probably invested just under $200 into it. Of course, if you are not successful in your garden then you will just waste your money on a bunch of dead plants. That is why I suggest you read the posts in the blog to help in your efforts. Also, our “nag” service will be coming soon. So keep your eyes out for the roll out.

Popularity: 20% [?]