[AnneB]

I prefer to look at it from the other direction.  How much will it cost you not to have an allotment?   I added up everything I grew in my first full year on the plot, plus a small amount of salad, tomatoes and fruit that I grow at home, then priced it up.   I had grown things to the value of £606.39.

Our plot is not yet in full cultivation, so someone with a full plot going full tilt should produce more.  As well as the amount I saved buying fruit and vegetables, they tasted better and I knew what had gone into growing them, I got lots of exercise plus companionship from fellow plotholders.

Even with water in short supply and perhaps reduced yields, as DD mentioned earlier, the price of everything will be going up in the shops too.

However, I have to add that there is no sign of a lack of water at our plot here in Bradford.  We are trying to finish off a raised bed at the bottom of the plot, but can't as it's waterlogged.  The rest of the plot is certainly not dry.  I count our blessings on the water front.

[snowdrops]

I've just spent £1.99 on a bag of potatoes, the first I,ve bought since last august. Thats 8 months without buying spuds.  Just about a couple of weeks of onions left also so I would say the money I have saved just with these 2 crops have more than covered the cost of this years seeds and compost.

There is an initial outlay with fruit bushes etc but when I think I've probably made 50 jars of jam, chutney etc, more savings and as for fruit pies and crumbles and leek flans

I know I don't grow to save money but it might be interesting to add up the costings of what we crop  -  might even give it a go (I'll probably forget though)

As for rhubarb, I've got so much I feel a jam session coming on.

I only water with a can and only on new seeds and seedlings.  Everything has to get on by itself and it makes the roots go down deeper in search of water.  Watering every day just produces short roots and the likelihood of crop failure when you can't get to water.

Hear,hear

[sarajane]

After reading these posts I may think about trying to weigh my crops this year, roughly working out their cost and adding this to my diary on say a monthly basis and see just how much I am saving  -  although the cost of growing your own is actulally priceless if its the taste and enjoyment you are after     

[Ian_A]

taste, variety, enjoyment and convenience are the most significant factors for me - in that order. Price comes as a bonus and even in years when productivity has been a lot lower than others I have made huge savings.
And I have still not bought veg and most fruit for a couple of years, although I would if I had to.

[Elaine G]

At the present time the cost is irrelevant as I can afford (within reason!) to do what I like on my plot.
The most important thing for me is anti stress.
The best stress buster I know is sitting on your plot munching on freshly picked peas, or sweetcorn, or strawberries, etc, and saying to blazes with work 
Hubby rarely sees any peas 
However, retirement is not all that far away and hopefully with the advice of all you good people I will be able to keep us reasonably supplied with veg to supplement the pension.

Elaine

[Paul Plots]

My plot neighbours are practically suicidal about the threat of a hosepipe ban(Portsmouth Water not yet affected)-thats because they connect up 3 sprinklers and then sit on their arris' for the evening!
Ive always used a watering can IF i water at all-i believe my plants are stronger because of it and i dont see the point of watering the ground where my plants arent!

Sensible chap you are!!!

I'm in Portsmouth Water area but much further east. Delighted, so far, to see we can still use a hose to top up water butts & baths especially as all around me there's a hose pipe ban.

I never use a hose to water with directly..... who wants to splash it all about and encourage the weeds, shock the plants with cold water and waste what precious little drops we have.  :blink: