saltydad

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.

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Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men"

"Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." - Francis Bacon





"If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal."
John F. Kennedy, September, 1960


http://flickr.com/photos/saltydad/ and
http://community.webshots.com/user/saltydad
http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/saltydad/

Bananaman88

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.

conejov

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.

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stumpy4700

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

lorax

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

Chironex

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!

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Scot

Bob

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....................whittling.... or something!

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Tog Tan

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.

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Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

CookieCows

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. 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!

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Michael_Andrew

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

lorax

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

Rmplmnz

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.,).

Lagniappe

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.

Chironex

41,000 rmb

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Scot

Lagniappe

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

Worm_Farmer

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

saltydad

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).

__________________
Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men"

"Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." - Francis Bacon





"If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal."
John F. Kennedy, September, 1960


http://flickr.com/photos/saltydad/ and
http://community.webshots.com/user/saltydad
http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/saltydad/

Chironex

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

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Scot

lorax

Wow, that's like 14 million COP!

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

Chironex

Agouti tapir off my spending, but arawana just yet.

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Scot