I wonder sometimes too, with bargain stores selling vegetables cheaper than big supermarkets, speciality vegetable shops are few and far between and those have high prices, but always very good quality.
one thing the article did not 'quantify' , or price?.. no words for it... is the feeling of satisfaction that you get when adding your own vegetables to a meal. even if you haven't grown enough for a whole meal.... a few winter months I was more than happy to make a small omlette one day at the weekend with a few little bits of broccoli, some chard and kale that has survived and grown a little through the winter. at this precise moment I could probably pick about three leaves of chard and some chives... perfect for an omlette.. but I have no eggs... lol.
so my question is ''does gardening have to save you money?''
and my answer is... no it doesn't have to because it will provide enjoyment and health in itself, I think overall that it does save money and provide good fresh vegetables, the expense of potting compost and equipment is considerable, it can take years to build things up. the last couple of years I've purchased a few new seed trays and propagator lids each spring, I now have just about enough and wont' have to look about for alternative.. the kitchen washing up bowl or a plastic storage contaier, these are useful things too. lol..
seeds planted include,...Peas Ambassador, Endives, Mustard, Pak Choi, Cabbage, Beetroot, Collards, Turnips, Oriental Spicy Mix and a lettuce mix that is varous left over seeds that I've mixed into a plastic container.only the peas are new seeds. all the others are from last year and older which is sometimes a hit or a miss, but its all in the fun... have fun.
2 comments:
claire, i'm getting more into convenience now. and must admit i love it. sushi in the supermarkets here has become a big thing and for me too -- sorry! i know you are a vegetarian! -- but to help my ailing brain -- and it actually does plus i love seaweed -- we've been buying these as our special treats for dinner every once in awhile and then i use the trays and lids to start my veggies in... that is this year's extravagance... (beyond my mother's care elsewhere...)
so lots of starts now. not everything i want... and the weather is not conducive. but yet? lots to look forward to.
take good care of you there today. and thank you for your reply in the last post -- please know you would be welcome here yet again, but then, i understand. life does tend to get in the way, yes.
BTW, Claire, in answer to your first question (from your title and from my own experience?), yes... gardening can save you a lot of money, a great deal of money (relative terms), but you have to be careful not to spend what you don't really need (and money you don't already have) and use, well, very creative thinking in the choices that you make...
and does it matter if it saves you money? no, not if you have the money/security and are willing to spend to help others (not you) get ahead... and with other calculations in place -- does it really help them, does it help you, do they help you -- & in the end, does it make you happy?
it can save money in other categories... like say, therapy? and eating fresh food most daily, which, like it or not -- gives you benefit. i think we like it.
in this? i still have a lot of questions myself, looking to resolve. still part of my retirement plan!
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