Would it save more to have your own family garden or to buy from a store?

Question

I know it sounds silly right? Of course it would cost more to grow your own...or will it? My thing is...would the cost of water, good soil (for organic growing), and other things needed add up to the cost of buying at the store?

Answer 1

Grow your own, for sure.

Water is essentially free (where I live about 1/3 cent per gallon), you don't need to buy good soil if you compost what you would normally throw away and if you use seeds you can produce hundreds of dollars worth of vegetables for next to nothing.

The most expensive cost in gardening is the land.  So if you have to buy land to garden, you need to do a more thorough investigation of the costs involved.  If you currently have land that's sitting idle, gardening is surely a cost saver.

Answer 2

I don't know actual costs, but I would think maybe if you are growing healthier foods, and fresher, than what you could buy in the store, that you would come out ahead, anyway.

Answer 3

Cost of a package of watermelon seeds $2.00 will produce at least 50 melons price in store $5.98 each X 50 =$299 not including tax Savings of $297.....

So if you figure the price of the seeds times the fruit of your labor it's priceless and safer and CHEAPER.  You know what they say it's "cheaper by the dozen:...........

Doing your own garden gives you some for canning and or freezing for later in the year....and if you have a large family you have lots of help.  Any excess you can donate to food pantry's or senior citizen centers or less fortunate neighbors..

that is truly PRICELESS.

And you never have to worry about what was on them before you got them... I use to live in California and the pickers use the fields for bathroom facilities....they really have no choice in the middle of a field with facilities maybe 1/2 mile away....

EDITED:

You NEVER figure the cost of your labor when you do the work yourself and reap the benefits that is your payment the fruits of your labor....

Answer 4

I don't care! use your loaf!

Answer 5

You also have to consider the cost of your time.  If you make $200/hour, it would cost you significantly dollarwise to grow your food yourself, unless you have flexible hours.  I used to grow about half an acre of vegetable garden for my family.  I am a landscaper, so it would be reasonable to assume it would cost me little and be affordable.  But my time is expensive and I cannot afford to tend to my customers and my garden at the same time.   I am too busy with customers when the gaden needs tending.  It was alright when my younger sister was at home, she could tend to the gardens, but by myself with so little time I couldn't justify the time away from customers.

Answer 6

Depending on the size of your garden and your willingness to commit to a diet high in fresh vegetables, you could probably save money planting your own. And your own fresh vegetables are going to be much more enjoyable than anything you buy, if you take care of them properly.

Answer 7

it will save  money  plus  the  big  advantage  is  its  fresh  and  home grown