[plum crumble]

tee hee

(smug Gooner here)

sorry Pompey Spud - only joshing  You must be gutted.

[Mosslane]

As many have said, the cost is irrelevant to me.

The excitement of seeing that first seedling of the year popping its head out of the tray in my little poly greenhouse this morning is as they say "priceless".

However if cost comes into the equation the thought of just going out into the garden to collect lunch instead of 13 miles to the nearest shop has to make it worthwhile for us.

[Pompey Spud]

tee hee

(smug Gooner here)

sorry Pompey Spud - only joshing  You must be gutted.

ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Timebandit]

after the initial outlay  oh worked out we were saving £20 a week on our produce . that doesn't take into effect the man hrs working the plot . if you worked that into the equation then no .
however the sheer joy of growing your own , the friendships made on the plot , the fresh air and exercise are priceless

[barbarella]

This is great - the next time TOH starts moaning about the expense, I'll just refer him to this thread

[Bluedave]

This is my first year - I can't see it costing more if your savvy - only thing i've forked out for is the tools (and the seeds) - got these in the sale as well. Everything else I got for free either by asking about or from freecycle. Greenhouse came from the in-laws for free, raised beds made from pallets off of freecycle, horse manure fom free cycle, Compost bins from the council and freecycle etc. Actually telling a lie - have bought  some compost for the raised beds but probably could have got some somewhere if I'd had a bit more patience.

Fresh veg costs an absolute fortune in the shops (about a third of our weekly £80-£100 shop for five of us) and time isn't really a factor surely.....would only be watching garbage on the tele instead......

[Paul Plots]

We save a fortune......

• No holidays abroad - plot needs watering
• No club fees (of any sort) plot needs weeding
• No gym - (back aches already) who needs to pay for exercise
• No long shopping trips - we've a local garden centre....what else would we need?
• No car - allotment is fairly near and I have a bike and trailer
• No private health insurance to pay - we eat healthily (and pray!)
• No big electric bills - too tired to stay up late or watch tv
• No big gas bills - warm enough already once I've been digging on the plot & come indoors

No sense of humour? I am really not that mean... honnest...

But my plot provides enjoyment, exercise, sense of personal achievement, something to look forward to, challenge, chat, a warm glow on a chilly day, an opportunity to marvel at nature and also be patient with her, something to share with others..... totally invaluable!

Then there's the produce!! A win, win siutation.... spend as much or as little as you can afford... the results are the same - FANTASTIC! 

[fletcherbaker]

Good shout learner as you say spend as much or as little as you can afford we all hopefully get the same enjoyment out of it 

[fatbelly]

I could save money if i didn't buy all my seeds and then forget where I have out them   I bought my seeds during the terrible snow we had a few weeks ago and now can't find them!!!!!!!!!!!!

But for me its not about saving money its about growing food for the table and enjoying do so.

[DavidT]

This has turned into a quite brilliant thread.

[Jabberwock]

We save a fortune......

• No holidays abroad - plot needs watering
• No club fees (of any sort) plot needs weeding
• No gym - (back aches already) who needs to pay for exercise
• No long shopping trips - we've a local garden centre....what else would we need?
• No car - allotment is fairly near and I have a bike and trailer
• No private health insurance to pay - we eat healthily (and pray!)
• No big electric bills - too tired to stay up late or watch tv
• No big gas bills - warm enough already once I've been digging on the plot & come indoors

No sense of humour? I am really not that mean... honnest...

But my plot provides enjoyment, exercise, sense of personal achievement, something to look forward to, challenge, chat, a warm glow on a chilly day, an opportunity to marvel at nature and also be patient with her, something to share with others..... totally invaluable!

Then there's the produce!! A win, win siutation.... spend as much or as little as you can afford... the results are the same - FANTASTIC! 

Really does sum it up, excellent post and couldn't agree more

[goodegg]

then  theres the money you save on doctors bills from stress having to stay home watching  cr-p on telly lovelly fresh air and above all you can uwind talking to your plants at least they dont argue.

[lacewing]

I love my lottie :happy:

[Paul Plots]

It may sound daft but when I stick the key in the lock of our allotment's gate I suddenly feel relaxed.... through that gate the only one to make demands on me is me.

My head feels as if a weight is lifted, the air is different (now I know I'm losing it), I am calm and it's simply heaven....

Space, time and peace..... easy to see why my ancestors might have chosen their way of life... nearly all worked as gardeners, seedsmen or plantsmen (whatever they are).. First in my line was a blacksmith (1650) then a vicar then years and years of growing things.

Green blood tinged with a bit of rust?   :blink:  

[madcat]

I could save money if i didn't buy all my seeds and then forget where I have out them   I bought my seeds during the terrible snow we had a few weeks ago and now can't find them!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are in a safe place  ...  next to my hole punch and someone else's gardening gloves and the .......