Gardening for Economic reasona

**Trishagirl** · 04-20-2009, 01:04 PM

more people doing this. read this article http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/Story.aspx?ID=481015

**Must-Stash** · 04-20-2009, 03:11 PM

Some counties in Indiana are suffering an 18% unemployment rate due to the RV industry's decimation. People are doing what they have to do.

The flowers and strawberry vines are food for the soul. Food for the table takes precedent now. The rewards are so great in many ways other than wholesome, fresh produce and the family's budget. The new food for the soul, IMHO, may just be the empowernment that's to be had from being able to control anything these days, especially something as critical as feeding our family and still being able to keep a roof over our heads.

**Momto2Boyz** · 04-20-2009, 03:19 PM

We are doubling the size of our garden this year. We had always planned on doing it, and have the space now that we didn't have last year, since we took some trees down.

But it's a good time to do it, since everything is getting more expensive. I have a few friends who are thinking about trying it this year, who have never done it before. So it'll be interesting to see what happens, I'll bet more and more people start gardening!

**Contrary Housewife** · 04-20-2009, 03:35 PM

I think there's a lot of folks out there who don't realize how much work and money really goes into a vegetable garden. But it's nice to see a revival, it means supplies will be easier to find and our local garden shops will survive.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 04-20-2009, 05:09 PM

We're actually starting one this year because the last few summers have been too busy to get one going. We also didn't have the spare cash for the startup costs. This year is our year, though!

I can see the tomato plants growing now...

(in my head.)

It's just odd that our plans coincide with the recession. I always wanted to have a garden; never felt like we had to. I applaud the people who have done gardening way before I am because you all are so passionate in what you're doing.

**known2him5** · 04-20-2009, 08:15 PM

We saw this starting last year -- miles of houses with the lawns torn up and gardens planted. . (along with "For Sale" signs in the yards).

**Debbie-cat** · 04-20-2009, 08:35 PM

I think it is great that people are stepping up to the plate and getting their hands dirty.......and pocketing the savings on their grocery bills.

**NewLeaf** · 04-21-2009, 08:25 AM

We have always had a small garden , only because our yard is so small. We actually took 1/2 of the back yard for the garden. This year I will be planting vegies in areas where I used to plant flowers. The chain link fence that surrounds our back yard will be used as a trellis for peas and then beans. I just wish I could convince dh to tear out the small flower bed in front for potatoes......

We have to add good soil to any area that we garden in so there is cost involved. But in the end it is worth it.

**monkeywrangler71** · 04-21-2009, 10:12 AM

Gardening always seems to cost me more than if saves. I've never had much success with seeds, if I sow them directly the squirrels dig them up( just assuming it's squirrels, haven't caught them at it). If I transplant the pathetic things I manage to start inside the bugs kill them within two days. Last year I bought plants at the garden centre and they grew. But I could have bought the harvest at the grocery store for little more than the cost of the plants.

I keep trying though. I just wish I had my father nearby to help. There's a lot to know and it's really hard to learn this sort of skill from books and the Internet.

**mommy4ever** · 04-21-2009, 11:14 AM

I'm investing in heirloom seeds and reserving books at the library at harvesting seeds. I know you can get carrot seeds by leaving some in the ground over winter, the next growing season they go to seed. That was an accident..lol. But with heirloom, you can harvest seeds and not need to buy seeds as often.

**Persimmon Lace** · 04-21-2009, 11:20 AM

Gardening doesn't have to be expensive, if it was why would anyone do it. When we were first married and poor, we gardened but it didn't cost us anything but a few seeds and labor. We borrowed the tiller, used newspapers as mulch, raised our own fertilizer in the form of a rabbit and grew monsterous veggies.

We bought a new tiller about 10 years ago, it is residing at a friends house, when someone needs it they call me and I make arrangements for pickup or delivery. We square foot garden now and that does come with some expense but once it's started there aren't anymore costs associated with it.

I have several friends who dug holes in their yards put in potting soil, put paper around the hole and grew a ton of tomatoes and squash. Was it the prettiest thing I ever saw? It wouldn't win any awards but they really grew a lot of stuff like that! They also grew a bumper crop of pumpkins! I'm thinking of growing some this same way in my side yard!

I'm so glad people are gardening more, what a relief for people to be able to harvest from their own plots. However, I will say there have been years I've told dh it's a good thing we don't totally have to rely on my gardens for food! But I'm getting better!

**Trishagirl** · 04-21-2009, 12:06 PM

Gardening can be work but it's a great reward with the effort put forth.
I just hate the trouble with the pests & bugs you have to deal with before harvest. I hope more people get back to a home garden it's good for the whole family to experience.

**Persimmon Lace** · 04-21-2009, 12:14 PM

If you buy cabbage and broccoli type things then yes you may not save any money buying starts because they are a 1 time thing. But tomatoes, peppers, squash and a multitude of other things continue to put on more than 1 vegetable. A 3.00 tomatoe will produce more than 1 tomato and produces multiple fruit, the cost of the plant is recouped in just a few tomatoes. Plus you know where it was grown, harvested and how it was cleaned when you put it on your table.