@bobm Figuring a true cost analysis is tough because of how you value your produce. I garden on the cheap. I view my labor as a huge bonus for the garden. Reasoning below.
Labor, average 5 hours per week. Better than gym membership @ $40/month.
Mind strengthening-keeps me mentally active-best medicine against Alzheimer’s-runs in family & seems to strike after retirement.
Equipment cost-$600 tiller and less than $100 in hand tools-amortize that over 45 years-nothing.
Seed/plants-less than $50/year. I said I’m cheap.... I don’t count flowers/plants for butterfly garden in memory of my mother.
Produce value? I give away over $400-$500 every year in tomatoes, peppers, squash, rhubarb, cucumbers, etc. plus what we eat and I can. How much to you credit, I decide on a whim to make something out of garden? Fresh made spaghetti is better than most restaurants. The restaurants that are better cost $80/couple. Again, how do you value that? Plus I know how my vegetables are grown-no recalls.
Largest profit? I get to come to this board and give people like you crap....
Gardening is a very profitable work of love. I tell myself that over and over when I’m out there cussing the insects who bite me or my plants...
Garbanzo the Dog has her favorite places in the yard to visit to eat the lawn grass.
Sorry 
