The Cost of Tomatoes

[packman]

I've tried now for several years to grow a few tomatoes in containers on the patio. Eventually the bugs suck the life out of them or the heat bakes them. Oh, I've invested in sprays, tents, fertilizers. this and that but to no avail. This year the bugs got them after two weeks and I just gave up. I figure that between the plants ,pots, dirt and various sprays my few tomatoes gotten over the years cost around $17 a pound. No more for me - Don't get me wrong, I fully believe that there is something more than the planting and harvesting and the inner rewards are tangible - but, it is not for me. Think I will stick to radishes and herbs.

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. Ends up about 50 cents/lb for me

Just re materials. If I include my labor, welll....

150 plants, 2000 lbs of produce (eggplants, peppers, tomatoes)

For me not about $ or even the outcome...it is the hobby, passion, journey, stories, connections...and flavor!

[enough]

2. Real tomatoes: priceless. NT

[DK504]

3. LOL...too funny.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. are you in an area where they will grow well?

I grow a few plants down here and it takes a lot of attention because of weather, disease, the huge hornworms, etc.
but one bite erases all the problems.

I want my grandkids to know what real food tastes like.

[packman]

5. North Florida-Panhandle area

Bugs - spiderly ugly looking things. Sprayed, sprayed and sprayed some more but they won and killed my three patio plants in a week. Then the weather gets brutally hot , then it rains too much, then this then that .

Oh, I agree 100% with you -the taste is world's apart when love and care is put into them. But, I'm getting too old and need to parse my remaining time out more carefully now.

I discovered a farmer's fruit stand in my area and now I get all I need and they still smell of the sun and soil.
Tomatoes, bacon and mayo sandwich - Heaven's blessings.

[zanana1]

9. OK, this has nothing to do with tomatoes.

I just have to comment on the little mouse working out with the mouse trap. I love it; I could look at it a thousand times and still chuckle. (But then, I'm easily amused).

[blogslut]

6. I don't buy full-size tomatoes anymore.

Just cherry and grape size. For store-bought they taste better and since I live alone, I can make them last longer because I don't have to worry about keeping a half-tomato fresh.

[MissB]

7. Heh.

Yeah, it's a hobby for me. I live in Portland Oregon and some years are more trying than others! I start mine from seed and wait patiently for the weather to warm up. I use a soaker hose system in my fenced garden area (we have tons of deer wandering through) and before I know it I'm pretty much swimming in tomatoes. And cucumbers. And squash.

Lettuce is my nemesis. Really, it's the slugs. But I can never grow it.

[zanana1]

8. When I grow tomatoes in NH...

It's easy. As long as I water them, I'll have great tasting, fresh tomatoes. In September.