Some people may look at home gardening as a hobby while others may look
at it as being self reliant but the main thing is the cost factor. Is
it cheaper to grow it or buy it at market? Here again that would depend
on all factors involved. First we need seed or transplants, we need to
cultivate, fertilize, water and finally harvest then use, process and
preserve or market our crop. Each phase has a cost involved unless we
can find a way to get it for free or reduce the cost. If we have to pay
for all of the above then I think it's far cheaper to buy produce than
to grow it. Now this isn't counting our labor which if considered a
hobby is a labor of love in which we get enjoyment. Last season I would
of had to sell my tomatoes for at least $1 each just to break even or
perhaps $2 each! Yes I had a good crop but the Mantis tiller alone was
$375 plus gas and oil to run it. Steel support stakes at $3.50 each,
cow manure at $4 a bag x six bags, roll of garden fencing $50, slow
release fertilizer $20 and city water at $40 a month x 3 months. That's
on top of the price of seeds, peat pellets, potting soil, grow lights
and the electricity to fun them for eight weeks at 16 hours a day to
raise transplants. Now mind you, I'm not complaining simply because I
myself look at this as my hobby and I know in advance that all hobbies
can get rather expensive. Thank God I don't play golf

Rich