Cents and sensibility - Is growing your own veg worth it?

In this fast-paced world where we expect everything to be convenient and cheap, a kitchen garden is a beautiful but unattainable dream for most people. With the economy in its current state, one might justifiably wonder: isn't it more affordable simply to buy your vegetables at a grocery store?

- JOHAN VAN ZYL

Theoretically, you can grow vegetables anywhere there's sunlight. As long as you have that, the smallest surface will do, from a windowsill or balcony to a few pots at the back door. In fact, the smaller you start, the less overwhelming the project will feel and the smaller the loss in case of a failed crop.

Since we published our (Afrikaans) book about starting a vegetable garden, we've heard from several readers who've thrown in the towel after one disastrous season, often because they were a little too ambitious at the start. We also felt like giving up in the first year or two, but through trial and error you learn what won't grow in your garden or tends to fall victim to pests. And we made our peace with the fact that the only plants that grow in Koringberg in midsummer are herbs.

The other question that often comes up in readers' letters (most likely after a failed harvest) is whether growing your own vegetables is really cheaper than buying them at a grocery store.

In our experience, first-time vegetable gardeners are often astonished at how much time, dedication and patience - rather than money - a food garden demands. Still, number crunchers often want to know whether, "realistically speaking and in terms of time and money", a food garden offers a positive return on investment. The answer to the question is a confident yes, although the "return on investment" won't necessarily make sense on an Excel spreadsheet.

Why grow your own vegetables?

Before talking about rands and cents, lets look at all the non-financial benefits of gardening. That way, you can decide for yourself how much each benefit is worth to you - "realistically speaking and in terms of time and money".

Hobby, exercise, meditation