Too Expensive to Grow Your Own Food?

So "they" say growing your own food or building a raised bed vegetable garden is a waste of money and too expensive to be worth it? Well, I disagree... :)

Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland Australia about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). I started Self Sufficient Me in 2011 as a blog website project where I document and write about backyard food growing, self-sufficiency, and urban farming in general. I love sharing my foodie and DIY adventures online so come along with me and let's get into it! Cheers, Mark :)

[waynedruin]

I am 75 years old and wasn't planning on doing much because an accident left me with little use of my right arm and hand.I live in Florida and after watching some of your videos I realized that our weather is very alike. You have inspired me to renew my love of gardening in spite of my disability and I have planned the garden out and I planned for success. I will plant in the fall with all the heirloom seeds I had saved up before my accident. A few raised beds to start and progress from there and I am no longer wasting away doing nothing each day. You have a way in your videos that makes me feel challenged to live to my fullest no matter my circumstance.Thank you for your inspiration and knowledge .Keep it up.

[newbeginnings]

I have a 4 year old that no matter what I did our how I cooked vegetables she would not eat any of it. Last year we decided to start a container garden our daughter comes out every day to check her veggies and she is now eating vegetables that I could not get her to eat (tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, lettuce, Brussel sprouts).. growing our own food no matter the cost is worth it knowing our daughter is eating healthy fresh fruit and vegetables that she has watched and help grow..

[terischannel]

As a combat vet with baggage as well, i appreciate how you take time to mention the mental health benefits of gardening. I don't have a green thumb at all and I know I don't save money with my small garden but it helps with my mental health. That's what matters to me.

[Noble-X]

I can absolutely say it’s very therapeutic— I have severe depression, anxiety and used to self harm and although the antidepressants help, gardening makes me feel like I’m doing something! It helps that I’m always learning and gives me a reason to get out of bed and smile at my growing babies! :)

[williamw]

A cynic knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing.

[click]

The mental health benefit is worth it alone. How much does therapy cost vs. doing some gardening?

[maryt]

One of my fondest memories is picking carrots from the garden with my father when I was a child. No amount of money or modern entertainment is better than that. I am bingewatching some of your older videos today because it is too rainy to be outdoors. Your channel is excellent now and always has been.

[nancyfehr]

I remember as a child I went out to the garden with friends that had never grown anything. The look on their faces when they had fresh strawberries still warm from sunlight was priceless. We sat outside the whole afternoon. They wanted to taste everything. :)

[philomenamills]

My favourite part of growing my own food is when I give some to a friend who doesn't…the look on their face when they bite into a homegrown tomato and realise that's what a tomato should taste like! Priceless 😃

[urbanjungle]

Imagine those people who criticized you watching this video during the quarantine (lockdown) and wishing they actually had a backyard garden and invested on it 😆

[guybough]

The old adage: “there are those that know the cost of everything but the value of nothing” applies here I think. Love your videos!

[sannunaveen]

When I realized what I get in return, gardening became my biggest hobby, addiction, pride whatever you would call it!
I can never forget my first attempt with pumpkins and tomatoes where I ended up with loads of fruits with just watering (did not even bother feeding them or anything because my full time job and 2 kids kept me busy enough)...
I literally gave away loads of pumpkins to neighbors, colleagues, kids' school teachers and still ended up with excess at home !!🤩

[comradecid]

i have naught but a windowsill available, where i grow herbs in a planter. it's humble, but i honestly treasure that tiny plot of earth.

[melaniegreen]

18 months later, I wonder how many of those naysayers are now putting in gardens...

[lorettakeeler]

There is a sense of peace in the garden. It is a stress reliever for me in general. Not only do you get food that actually has flavor, you are working in harmony with nature. Our small gardening has been going for about 10 years, and we learn something new every year. It is a bit of work and a bit of expense, but nothing compared to wasting your money on fake and/or tasteless food at the grocery store.

[aliazi]

Totally agree on the insanity of wanting perfectly even veggies on the supermarket shelf.

[FarHowling]

I started gardening for one main goal: a hobby to get my lazy pale ass out of the house. And Boy did it work well.
There's something utterly satisfying and rewarding to see the first crops break through the earth or watch the buds of your trees unfold after a cold winter. There's no price to put on that experience.

[gardenlady]

Most people garden as a hobby at a time of day they would not be working. So compared to "free time" spent watching TV they are active, saving on gym membership, and producing organic food.

[salvatorepappalardo]

I couldn’t agree with you more Mark, there’s more to growing your own veggies than just cost saving, it’s also about relaxation, good health for your mind and satisfaction for your achievement

[jameshamilton]

I have just begun growing my own veggies, because all the prices for buying food at the supermarket is going up. And I have been wanting to go big with my garden for a few years now, and now I finally can. I have been saying these last couple of years, that the time where everyone keeps buying their food from the supermarkets is coming to an end, and growing our own food is going to become more important as the years progress. And I have to thank you for this awesome channel, I am learning so much by watching your videos, while I am busy growing my own veggie garden up as well.