To garden or not to garden - is it worth the money?

Hello,



I think I would enjoy gardening but the Wife seems to think that it will look trashy. So I explained to her that I thought it would save money and taste better. She seems to think it will break even at best...



In Northern Ohio, would a small garden of about 6 Tomato plants, snap peas, carrots and lettuce, will it save money or lose money...I am recycling some rail road ties from another project.

To garden or not to garden - is it worth the money?
Well it really wouldn't cost that much for a small veggie garden. But this really isn't about money. For me all worries and tensions just disappear when I am out digging and weeding. I listen to the birds and to silence! Also there is nothing quite like pulling a tomato off the plant and going in the house and making a toasted tomato plant.



I have veggies to fill us physically and flowers to feed my soul.
Reply:Anything home grown is a lot healthier for you than store bought. The effect on your health alone is reason enough to garden. I pretty much just grow tomatoes and peppers currently. I make and can salsa. I feel I do save a little. It's not a great deal of money to save, but it is soooo worth the taste.
Reply:It is never about the money, it is a great hobby, keeps you toned up, gives you something in common with other gardeners, and You know what went into the soil. Once you buy soil, it just needs to be topped up each year. You won't need more than 1 pkg of lettuce seeds, and just keep sowing them. I hope you grow some
Reply:I believe what you receive from your garden depends on how much attention you give to your plants. I have a small hobby garden a 6 tomato plants, 6 bell peppers and 24 onions plants. I work somewhere around 4-5 hours a week to keep the weeds cleared and water as needed.
Reply:Beyond the money value of a garden, the sheer joy of growing your own food organically or better bio-dynamicaly ( the Steiner method ) is an experience worth living. This way, you connect yourself with our planet and develop a wisdom that the contact with dirt-try your hand at composting while at it. Reap a wondrous crop! By the way, forget about the railroad tracks, they are full of creosote, hence contaminate your soil and food. Keep them away from the garden!
Reply:well i have only seen one trashy garden which is one of my friends because she doesnt do anything now gardening is easy what you can do is themes if you like like tropical themes are good wich involve palm trees ferns and trees like that now you can have a great garden in summer with flowers but for the rest of the year they will look dull so i would suggest good looking and interesting trees like i have these big beutiful trees and lots of palms and they are great if you want get good looking pots and put the plants in and they look great and if you want a lawn you can get seeds anywhere and pick which one you like and water it if any weeds come up get rid of them otherwise they can be very hard to get rid of if they spread
Reply:For the average person it is just better to buy from the supermarket as growing stuff takes a lot of time and money (to keep it going and such).



If you already started it just keep (and see if you grow stuff or not) at it but don't really on it for all your food needs.
Reply:Having your own gardening for your kitchen veggies and herbs is always nice and fun too.

For some practical gardening tips, go to http://www.practicalgardeningtips.com
Reply:I thoroughly enjoy spending my time playing in the dirt.



I garden organically so it is a bit more time consuming than conventional practices. I swear my tomatoes and cantaloupes are far superior to any tomato you find in the grocery stores. With the price of produce skyrocketing, I think having a garden will be cost effective.



Enjoying my flowers and ornamentals is very relaxing, They create a peaceful atmosphere with their colors, shapes, and textures.



I also find it theraputic to know that the worms are converting my gift of shredded leaves into the best natural compost nature can offer.



Ditto on the railroad ties for veggies.. they are treated with chemicals to keep insects out. You don't want those to leach into your veggies.. YUCK!
Reply:gardening is best way of getting relief from mental tensions
Reply:Grow one tomato plant in a large container to see if you will like gardening.



Gardening takes lots of your time everyday without fail. You must water, water, water...fertilize and keep weeds out of a garden. Even then you might not be successful.



Here is how to grow a tomato plant, click this link:

http://www.growingtomatoe.com/
Reply:your produce will taste better and if you build some good soil- i.e don't use synthetic fertilizers and amendments, etc. you'll really have good harvests. make sure to start a compost pile, definitely! - use soil block makers instead of pots (plants grow better) to start your own plants.

http://shrinkify.com/74l



there are any number of ways to make your yard self-sustainable so that you aren't purchasing a lot of things. starting your own plants is much cheaper than buying flats of them. and more rewarding! it does take time and an initial investment- you will find through the process that it will end up not really being about the money :)



some good books- Four Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman, Lasagna Gardening, Square Foot Gardening



happy gardening
Reply:Well, it's fabulous for the environment, your own produce will taste better than anything you can buy, and it's really fun! Can you put a price on that?



Definitely try it for a season. If you don't like it or if your wife is right, you don't have to keep it up!