Quote:
Originally Posted by you&me
Yeah, this is pretty stupid if the argument to offset produce costs is to build or purchase a "mini greenhouse" (or a second "isolated" one if you want to grow mushrooms) 
By all means, grow your own produce if you want, but looking at it purely as a cost-saving measure seems silly. |
I didn't mean it was a huge savings, but I do literally believe if I plan my approach correctly, it could help to reduce the costs of certain consumables. I am on the same page as you. I don't actually view the whole thing as a pure cost savings measure. Anyone blindly setting up a greenhouse to reduce food costs or replace grocery trips is probably going to fail miserably and starve.
If the issue is with the fact I said it could make a dent, then that's poor wording. My bad. I meant it in the sense that personally, I find I'm spending around $100-150 a year on some infrequent items and I think I could actually grow that stuff instead of purchasing, using a little and then the rest rots and is wasted because I can't use it all.
I haven't done a set up yet, but I've been looking into the scenario. I have a storage room in my house where maybe I'm leaning towards just doing a $50 grow light and have some random #### in trays on a #### wire shelf I already have. Not some full blown green house thing. Even at $10-20 a month in extra costs and a little bit of time, I think I could break even and start spending less on certain purchases that are relatively regular, but annoyingly infrequent for my situation.
I do believe I would spend less money on the set up and upkeep costs for things I'd be growing vs purchasing. But absolutely it is not a major supplement or attempt at being self sustaining. It'd address stuff that I don't use up that just rots and then I have to buy again. Cloning those plants that would be rotting scrap waste anyways is another facet I'm contemplating.
What I've contemplated growing:
Occasional purchase, excess just rots and it's kinda pricey to repeat purchase: Black garlic, elephant garlic, green onion, chives, shallots, dill (didn't grow well this summer for some reason, doesn't do well in window sill).
Other: Maybe an heirloom tomato plant or two or a pepper plant for fun.
Mushrooms: But honestly speaking, I really don't think it'd work due to how easily it can supposedly get contaminated and rot/die.