vfem
Garden Addicted
Ok, I've been thinking about this, and since its plenty early still, everyone can read this and think about whether they want to join in or not.
We've been talking about the costs of food, are we going to make a savings or not, what will is cost to start and if there is really a value $$$ wise to gardening anymore.
Now, I think there is, but is it on the grand wide scale!? I have no doubt in my mind there is. With an economy like it is in the United States, with food prices on the rise here and around the world... shortages are likely, and eventually they will reach the US. (Though I think it is so here, like Wifezilla mentioned... there is something funny in the USDA data for last year.)
Anyways. Here is the plan!
As a group, here in this thread, I would like us all to write what we planted, our approximant costs for THIS YEAR ONLY. This is a one year project/one season following from now until the end of fall 2010. So if you spent $500 putting in new beds or new equipment last year, don't count that as 2010 costs. If you pay $55 in seeds this year, and $40 for organic treatments / fertilizers ect, count that! Don't count flower bulb or seed costs. This is just for food.
I have a spreadsheet if anyone wants to keep detailed results for this project. I will be using it for mine. I eventually want to put together a book to be published.
So in my project, I am adding pots and buckets to the garden and keeping track of what my potted items produce as well for those people living in apartments or with little to no land to use.
Otherwise, you can post here with each harvest with what you collected and its weight. I would also like to know the market value for those foods in your area at the time.
I think this sounds like a super fun project for us all to get involved in!
Here's the spreadsheet if you want to download it to fill in through the season:
http://www.rent-my-hubby.com/Trial-Garden-Spreadsheet.xls
Please share any additional advise you may have as well! This should be fun, and involve anyone who wants to join.
We've been talking about the costs of food, are we going to make a savings or not, what will is cost to start and if there is really a value $$$ wise to gardening anymore.
Now, I think there is, but is it on the grand wide scale!? I have no doubt in my mind there is. With an economy like it is in the United States, with food prices on the rise here and around the world... shortages are likely, and eventually they will reach the US. (Though I think it is so here, like Wifezilla mentioned... there is something funny in the USDA data for last year.)
Anyways. Here is the plan!
As a group, here in this thread, I would like us all to write what we planted, our approximant costs for THIS YEAR ONLY. This is a one year project/one season following from now until the end of fall 2010. So if you spent $500 putting in new beds or new equipment last year, don't count that as 2010 costs. If you pay $55 in seeds this year, and $40 for organic treatments / fertilizers ect, count that! Don't count flower bulb or seed costs. This is just for food.
I have a spreadsheet if anyone wants to keep detailed results for this project. I will be using it for mine. I eventually want to put together a book to be published.
So in my project, I am adding pots and buckets to the garden and keeping track of what my potted items produce as well for those people living in apartments or with little to no land to use.
Otherwise, you can post here with each harvest with what you collected and its weight. I would also like to know the market value for those foods in your area at the time.
I think this sounds like a super fun project for us all to get involved in!
Here's the spreadsheet if you want to download it to fill in through the season:
http://www.rent-my-hubby.com/Trial-Garden-Spreadsheet.xls
Please share any additional advise you may have as well! This should be fun, and involve anyone who wants to join.
row I just want everyone to see themselves succeed! 
)
