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Taking Stock in our Harvest in 2010

After reading an article in Mother Earth News I've been inspired to keep a spreadsheet on the costs and savings from having a vegetable garden this year. I have a scale that I will weigh my harvest with and then will check out local prices for organic produce to compare. I've already started my spreadsheet with costs so far.

So for set up this season, including hiring the kid across the street to help double dig some new beds, costs of seeds (for all spring, summer and fall/winter crops), new irrigation for beds, a few new fruit trees, and other miscellaneous items (new seedling trays, seed starting soil, etc.) I'm in the hole $607.32 this season.

I'm really curious as to see what we save this year in food costs. I think it will also be interesting to take stock in following season to see if we are able to increase our yields.

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Comment by Rachel on January 4, 2010 at 5:57pm: Some things I'm not really counting, like tools, because we use those for other things, not just vegetable gardening - meaning we'd own them anyways. Our compost produced at home is also a freebie, as is our chicken manure and horse manure from the local stables. But I will definitely keep you posted.

Comment by Donald Dunn on January 4, 2010 at 5:34pm: That sounds interesting. I have always wondered if it really cost effective. Counting the water electric , equipment, fertilizer and all. Tools you could probably divide the cost out over 2 or 3 years before you would have to purchase new ones.
I would also be interested in the comparison to non organic vegetables because if the budget is tight them one has no choice but to purchase the least expensive item. Keep us updated.