Expensive Hobby?
 

I was rather shocked to total up the figures for what we spent last year on plants. Granted, gardening as zone pushers may run a bit more, but it got me wondering if I was out of line with most hobbyists (not the average gardener). I have bananas, palms, orchids, plumerias, etc., and I spent over $700 on plants alone. Is this high, low, normal? Thanks.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

My wife recently told me that we spend "thousands" each year on plants/gardening items. In my opinion, this was a huge exageration on her part, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if several hundred isn't accurate. I look at it this way; we're spending money on something productive and that makes us happy. At least I'm not out blowing my money in a bar, strip joint, or on drugs and alcohol or something.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

I think i have been fortunate that I've sprouted most of mine from seeds or they have been gifts. but I can easily see how someone can spend in the $1,000's given the prices of Mulch and potting soils. Oh and don't forget composts if you don't make your own.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

As a newbie last year I would estimate I spent around $300. on plants,Fert,soil and such.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Low. Very very low. I run about $2,000 a year on plants and garden-related stuff.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Well, ummm I spent a bit more than that. When I figured it out, I was shocked. I would be embarrassed to admit what that number is. And, no I am not going to tell you. No guessing either.
Oh, and that doesn't include the lab, lab equipment, chemicals and supplies, glassware, jars, etc.

O.C.D. - you bet!

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Lets see ...$300 for a new Metal halide system(I had the light mover already), $100 for 2 electric heaters, maybe $40 for pink foam insulation for the floor of my unheated / uninsulated porch now a greenhouse. last winters utilities was up about $1000 (granted it was especially cold winter). Over $1000 on plants ,not all bananas, and that was all purchased since I joined here and the growing season was about to end last September.....My yard better have a tropical look by July or I'm going to take up something like...........:drum:.........whittling.... or something!

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Though it's a business for me, but I am still buying up a lot for my personal collection. I buy plants every couple of days, not including seeds from the web. I guess the end point is that as long as you can afford it, have the space, can care for them and you are happy at it, it's ok. :ha:

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

We haven't spent that much all in one year but we're heading in the same direction Bob. It's extremely expensive for those of us that will not accept xeroscaping within our zone. :ha: Last year was the aquaponics set up on the back porch with plans to enclose it, drip systems for outside, winter cost us, I don't know how much more in electric for all the lights, an accordian hose my husband rigged up in the laundry room so I can easily stretch it to the plant room and water everything, a fancy humidifier that automatically turns on and off and I haven't started purchasing this years collection of bananas and other sub-tropicals. But like Brent said... we're not out at the bars!

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Stop your complaining Howard. I know how much money you nurses make!

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Actually, if I translate that into North American costs, I'm spending the equivalent of about 10 grand.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Looking at the last 5 years we spend $800 to $1,200 a year on gardening. This would be more except we get free mulch (trees services and leaves), free fertilizer (horse poop delivered) and exchange plants, occasionally buying new plants. All in all an inexpensive hobby when compared to many others (boating, golf, etc.,).

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

I try not to think about this.....darn it all, Howard!
Last year I bought four 1,000 watt halides ,two new bulbs, timer, glazing, a Plumeria from Thailand that was just callin' me, Electrical wire, a 4k watt heater, box fan, pumps, hydro nutrient, 10 gallons of molasses, several hundred pounds of castings, several pounds of worms, pruning equipment, several giant bags of perlite, coleus plants, more seeds than I could ever use, fig cuttings, potted figs, several citrus trees, yards of compost, enough electricity to validate the purchase of a solar system :( , Pineapple guava, pomegranates, arborvitae, ............................
On the other hand, like Chris, we brought in trailer loads of shredded leaves for mulch, tons of coffee grounds from the coffee houses, and various poops from horse and cattle people, so fertilizing is mostly free save for the molasses and castings for tea.
This all has to be cheaper than therapy in all it's forms....bars....gambling....actual therapy.... spa....


#8.7 billion ......you consider cutting out cable,video memberships, club dues, and landline phone (hardly ever used nowadays) to get more gardening junk. :ha:

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

41,000 rmb

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

That's only 21,722.92 MYR but a whopping 150,017,975 ECS :P

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Last year I spend about $500, this year I expect it to be a little more.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

One of my non-garden hobbyist brothers has ridiculed this figure. When another brother asked what kind of gift card for them to get Mom for her 89th BD, I suggested one to some local nurseries. When my other brother heard this, he objected, saying that Mom and I already waste too much $$ on the garden, and bought her a nail salon gift card instead. Kind of has me fuming (especially as he plays both golf and tennis religiously).

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Like 89 y.o. women worry about how their nails look, right? I am with you on this one Salty.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Wow, that's like 14 million COP!

If you're going to be like that, I'm going to start billing you in BRL.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Agouti tapir off my spending, but arawana just yet.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Have you been at the arrowana brownies, Scot?

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Alice B. Toklas brownies. Haven't had any in years. Cuy do you ask? Am I being a bad boa (a bad asp)? I just don't want to boar anyone.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Then you weren't making them right.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

I never inhaled. I never had snacks with that woman.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Wow Pete..you da Man!

"10 gallons of molasses"...and this was used for?

The Work Castings??

We have so many worms from the compost....

Next time you make it to Tampa we need to have an extended conversation regarding all of your organic fertilizer usage..very impressive...not to mention load you up with another car load full of plants...

[IMG][/IMG]

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

"...various poops from horse and cattle people."

What kind of people do you know? Isn't that a tad intimate?

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Actually she has a weekly regimen. Every Friday I take her first to her hairdresser, than to the nail salon. I asked her tonight which she would have preferred; she said the nursery card but that she intended to make good use of the nail salon cards and have both a manicure and a pedicure next time!

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Just sayin'

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

I asked Scot recently, "Is Arowana considered a 'gateway fish' that leads to the angling of larger, more dangerous fishes ?".

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Still, Ocelot of money for plants and such. :ha: Especially if we javalina times than we did last year. But iquana be positive on the whole and buy what I like.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Lovin it Pete! Good stuff! Rats! My mouse is frozen. Bear go get a new one. I will have to shell out some bucks. I am not lion either.

Remember the song Wet Dream?
YouTube - LET'S GET TANKED or "Wet Dream"

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

OMG!!!! Yeah! I recorded it from the Dr. Demento show!

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Some people don't care for that sort of thing but I say they're too peccary.

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They're just being fishy about it. I haven't lobster my taste for that kind of carp though.

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

Cannibal saliva

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

O I'm not so sure i want to admit publicly what i spent on plants! would that include hard scape? because if thats included there are some small third world country's that would have like to have had my budget LOL this is just a guess but with the patio project id say i spent some were around 4000 last year I'm trying to cut back this year so far I'm only up to about 1000 but the year is young LOL Mainly i seem to spend most my money on dirt and amendments

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

If you didn't enjoy this Clam up and stop being so shellfish!

Re: Expensive Hobby
 

I intentionally left out ancillary clams from my total. We put in a pond that ran over $5K! That's some kipper, skipper.