I’ve always hated math. It’s not that I was bad at it, it’s just that I prefer words over numbers. However, after reading the Frugalista Files the other day, on top of trying to run the numbers for our brewery business plan, I’ve decided it’s time to start paying attention.
I’ve always admired my friend Jolon, who blogs at SavvyChicSavings. She seems so on top of things, and is even trying to live on a food budget of $25/week. I doubt I’ll ever be that good at finding deals, but this year I’ve decided to keep track of what my CSA and garden are costing me. What is MY household food budget? I have absolutely no clue, and that’s why I’ve decided to start tracking at least those two expenses. I may not post every week as the CSA season doesn’t start until June, but for the next two months I’ll post my gardening expenditures.
See, I have a feeling that even though I perceive my CSA and garden to cost a lot of money, the value is greater than the sum of its parts. For example, I was at the store the other day and saw a whole organic pastured chicken for $20. Yup, $20. I grabbed the under-$10 “natural” one instead. But on my way home, I realized that we spend about $18 if we go out for Thai food – and that’s only one meal, whereas I normally get at least two out of a chicken. Now I wish I’d gotten the one that I know was pastured and raised humanely.
To kick things off, this week I’ll post how much I spent on seeds for my garden:
| Romanesco Italia Broccoli | BR104 | 1 | $2.50 |
| Siamese Dragon Stir Fry Mix | SB106 | 1 | $3.00 |
| Dwarf Jewel Mix –Â Nasturtium | FL503 | 1 | $2.50 |
| Marketmore 76 Cucumber | CU101 | 1 | $1.75 |
| Jenny Lind Melon | AML117 | 1 | $2.50 |
| Subtotal | $12.25 | ||
| Shipping & Handling | $3.00 | ||
| Grand Total | $15.25 | ||
Now, I have about 10 seed packets from last year so I’ll be growing more than that in my garden. Not sure how to cost that out; do I take what I paid last year for the seeds and divide by two? What about the cost we’ll be incurring to make raised beds? How many years do I amortize that?
I’m also trying to decide if I should buy tomato and pepper seeds and try to start them at home (then I’d need to buy seed starting stuff), or just wait and buy them at the farmer’s market.
See, I still have some bugs to work out. However, I hope you’ll find this fun as I do my best to figure it out.
This post shared at Urban Homesteader Blog Party, Tuesday Garden Party
I kept a loose reckoning of our expenses for our vegetable garden about 2 years ago. We’ve never done a CSA. At the time, I think the average cost per pound for the homegrown veggies and fruit was $.50/lb. We have been doing it for a long time so our initial costs on tools, etc. have been spread out over about 15 years.
Thanks for the shoutout! I definitely want to read the Frugalista Files. Can you put it in my “borrow books” pile? 🙂
I definitely agree that the whole picture matters. The whole chicken is a perfect example. It’s not always the OOP cost, but the effect on the entire budget.
I am very interested. I need to watch my pennies more too. I used to focus on it much more before I was disabled, how weird is that. I need to watch them even more. Unfortunately I cannot work in the garden as much as I would like to so this will be an experimental year.
This is the start of my 3rd year veggie gardening. (Small 100 sq feet of raised beds.) Since the beginning I’ve tracked all out of pocket expenses and total lbs of veggies harvested. I’ve decided that it’s easier to count costs the year you incur them rather than amortize them. On that basis you wouldn’t count this year the seeds you bought last year or initial cost of raised beds. You also wouldn’t try to pro rate the seeds you bought this year but will also use in future years.
The 1st year my cost per lb was over $14! 2nd year was $1.19. This year my goal is to be under $1. One of the *problems* with gardening is that there always seem to be “wants” for capital improvements. Last year my costs included an electric fence (skunks and raccoons), rain barrels and another compost bin. So far this year I’ve got more rain barrels, grow light and mats.
Not sure where you live but it is probably getting late to start your own tomatoes and peppers from seed. I suggest you buy you pepper and tomato plants this year and keep your eye out for a great deal on a grow mat and light for next year.
Thanks for the tips! I live in West Michigan (zone 5) so most plants get planted outside around Memorial Day. Unless, of course, one invests in row covers or other season extensions. I could definitely see where there is want vs needs even in gardening.
Last year I had a 4×8 raised bed. This year we’re adding another 4×8 and also a 30×4. Hoping it goes well – I had no expectations last year because our yard has so many trees it’s fairly shady, but the cucumbers and tomatoes grew awesomely.
I love this! Last year I tracked all of my spending on my garden and kept a spreadsheet of what I harvested. It really helped me to keep my spending down because I wanted to make sure my garden was SAVING money not turning into a really pricey hobby!