How much per LB- does your tomatoes cost to produce.

[barkeater]

Being extremely cheap, from the years I had to make a living farming, I'd have to say last year cost me under 15 cents per pound. But last year was exceptionally long and warm. My estimated costs were:

Seeds = $2.50
Twine = $12.00
Landscape cloth = $15.00
Fertilizer/Lime = $4.50
Sprays = $11.00
Seed starting supplies = $4.00
Depreciation of tools/sprayer = $13

Total cost for 2005 = $61.00

Tomatoes harvested = 450 pounds, at least.

[DaveNH]

Originally Posted by DonnaMarieNJ

But, to cut down on costs, can I re-use my potting soil and if so, how? Assuming I didn't have any disease from last year......

I'm planning to reuse my potting mix. From what I understand others are re-using there potting mix in Earthboxes 2-3 years with good results. Potting soil is different then the peat based mix, so not sure. I'd try some with the old stuff and some with new. Maybe you could mix the old and new to strech it out further. Add a shovel full of peat and compost to freshen it up.
Dave

[Fert1]

Originally Posted by don06

In my case, it's about $200 a pound, on the average, since around 1992. But , of course, I use Epsom Salts, which is more expensive, but it gives that certain tropical tangy flavor.

I've heard of people using Epsom Salts in an attempt to prevent BER, but can you really tell a difference in flavor from the Epsom Salts? Can they be used as a side dressing for a plant that is already in the ground? I was just curious. It's something I haven't tried using, but if it really does make a flavor difference, I'd be willing to try.

[Delora]

Originally Posted by don06

In my case, it's about $200 a pound, on the average, since around 1992. But , of course, I use Epsom Salts, which is more expensive, but it gives that certain tropical tangy flavor.

Get the new book about the $64 tomato. No kidding.


Don

That book was my Mother's Day present

I'd say my $/lb is relatively low. Pre-season costs are only about $20, add in another $10-$15 or so for fertilizers and sprays (which last me several years since I have a small plot), and everything else I use were an invested one-time cost. Water costs are probably pretty low since I mulch heavily and only water every week and a half or so if we don't have rain.

So, I'd say tomatoes come out to $1/lb or less. However, they're offset by the insane amounts of money I spend on ornamentals, lol.


-Delora

[michael johnson]

Davenh- the best way to re-use old compost for several years, especialy potting mix, is to add a good base fertiliser six weeks prior to using it.

When I say base fertliser I mean the same as that specified by the famed (John Iness ) formulae, such as Lime, Phosphate, and potash etc, I just cant remember the exact ingrediants offhand, but you can look it up on google as I did some time ago in february.

This will liven up the compost to almost normal- plus the addition of some liquid seaweed extract will fortify it with trace elements as well.

The main problems with old compost is that during the winter period most of the available nutriants will have leached out of it through the rain and weather generaly.

[Althea]

Mine don't cost much per pound to produce. Off the top of my head I think I spent @ $25 -30 for initial input. Heirloom tomatoes sold for $5.99/lb here last year, so I can easily get a complete return on my investment and then some (fingers crossed), if only two or three plants produce a few tomates. Plus we don't get stuck eating store bought tomtoes during the winter if the crop is good. All worth while.

[angelique]

Okay. Maybe I am doing something wrong 'cause I am spending a lot of money. Here are some of the basics that I have purchased:

2 boxes of Dr. Earth Veggie Fertilizer 7.99 each
Already used applied once a month to all veggies
Will probably need at least 4 more boxes

1 yard of compost/soil mix 36.00
Seeds (costs include other veggies too) about 50.00
2 bags of compost 9.99 each

Container Tomatoes
12-12 gallon grow bags 4.00+tax each
5 gallon grow bags (for cherry toms) 3.49+tax each
5 bags organic potting soil (2 cu ft) 8.99 each

General and Seed Start
6 bags of seed start mix (all veggies) 4.50 each
paper cups (8oz and 16 oz) about (all veggies) 10.00
Liquid Seaweed for tomatoes only 15.00
Tomato Spirals 6 3.99+tax each
Still need stakes (about 6) 3.00 each
Water about $25.00 a month
Black landscape fabric 16.00
Twine one roll so far 5.00
Plastic covering (seran wrap for seeds) 5.00

I am scared to do the math. Please don't. I know that I probably left some more expenses off of this list.

I am only planting 25(ish) tomato plants this year. I gave away about 20. Also, several died ('cause I planted them way too earl).

Next year, I plan to purchase 6-8 Earth Boxes in addition to some of the common expenses listed above. I double trenched two beds. I decided against putting in the labor for the third.

I still do not have a watering system in place (drip system). I might just hold off on that project until we move. Our plan is to move once DH finishes Grad school (3 years).

If you know of any ways for me to save money, please let me know.

Cheers,

Angelique

P.S. Don't tell DH how much I spent this year.

[Suze]

Originally Posted by angelique

P.S. Don't tell DH how much I spent this year.

Keepin' more tomato secrets, I see. Did he ever figure out what happened to his seedlings?

I don't think your purchases were that extravagant, especially considering that some of it has to do with expansion, and you'll get more than one growing season of benefit from them.

[angelique]

Originally Posted by Suze

Keepin' more tomato secrets, I see. Did he ever figure out what happened to his seedlings?

Dang Suze. What a memory. Perfect for blackmailing Angelique J/K

No. DH does not know what happened to his seedlings. Actually, I had to toss out several plants this year. We had very strange weather this year (extremely cold March and April). The dearly departed include:

Bordo
Green Sausage
Rose de Berne
Purple Calabash
Coustralee
West Virginia ’63
Earls Faux

O of 3 plants started made it this year for the list above. I also lost most of my "back ups" for other varieties grown. This year, I started tom plants in early January. Next year, I'll wait until mid Feb.

DH is actually very happy with me now. He bought a Dwarf Granada Pomegrate a couple of years ago. It was on death's door due to his neglect. About six months ago, he asked me to adopt it. I am proud to say that the Granada tree looks very healthy and is now covered in flowers.

DH also has a plan for next year's extra seedlings: Share them with co-workers. It was so funny. I had about 15 plants left over. I told DH to take them to work. He stalled like an embarassed little kid. He said, "They might think that I am a tomato freak". After about two weeks of me harping him, he finally took them in. I emailed him variety descriptions and TOLD him to post it next to the plants. Well guess what!!! DH is now a local office tomato celebrity. He received a few emails about, "How he made someone's day, " and "how kind and thoughtful he is". He really liked the praised (not that he deserved it :wink: ). When he got home that night, he wanted more seedlings to take to work. Go figure.

[DonnaMarieNJ]

Angelique, I'm with you. I can't even begin to figure out how much I spent. We must be doing something wrong when everyone else's expenses are so low. I can only hope that I get some tomatoes this year, because if I don't, I will be doubly disappointed given the amount of money I spent. Granted, I love gardening, but I must be going to the wrong places.

[MsCowpea]

I had to MOVE to another house so that I had a bigger yard to grow more tomatoes. Not sure how to factor that in. Actually that is no joke and now this house is worth alot more money so growing tomatoes made me wealthy. (Makes up for the fortune I spend on them. Much more than fancy orchids.)

[coronabarb]

"Actually that is no joke and now this house is worth alot more money so growing tomatoes made me wealthy."

Hmmm, farkee...I never thought of it that way, LOL! I wanted this house because I wanted a bigger house for the kids and needed more land for the dogs and a bigger garden. I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I went looking online for a tomato group to join--ha,ha,HA!! Now that the population in this area has exploded, I no longer want to live here but the house is worth 5 times what I paid for it. 8) and the ex was stupid enough to sign it over to me

[Delora]

Originally Posted by DonnaMarieNJ

Angelique, I'm with you. I can't even begin to figure out how much I spent. We must be doing something wrong when everyone else's expenses are so low. I can only hope that I get some tomatoes this year, because if I don't, I will be doubly disappointed given the amount of money I spent. Granted, I love gardening, but I must be going to the wrong places.

The first few years are always more expensive since you're purchasing items that you intend to use every year thereafter (containers, wood for boarders/raised beds/stakes, cages, etc). You're also experimenting at the same time since you don't know what methods will work best for you.

I was saved a huge expense/hassle by having beds already ready at the house. The soil was decent at the time, and has since become nearly wonderful since I've been heavily mulching and turning in organic matter for 5yrs now. I also rarely fertilize or spray unless it's needed, since those products can get expensive quickly! I'd rather spend my time creating the healthiest soil I can, instead of spending my money on products to make up for not having healthy soil.

Just my $.02 and my philosophy on gardening.


-Delora

[Organic_Nut]

Originally Posted by angelique

Okay. Maybe I am doing something wrong 'cause I am spending a lot of money. Here are some of the basics that I have purchased:


If you know of any ways for me to save money, please let me know.

Cheers,

Angelique

P.S. Don't tell DH how much I spent this year.

I suggest you find a local cow farmer. go over and buy the largest truck load of cow manure. not all water wet. you want it dry.

now skip on all the composts and you will save money. you spent too much on the soil and got too little for it. you can get a huge dump truck load of cow manure for less money. if you want to save some for an extra year. put a big plastic tarp or cover over it so the rain does not wash out the nutrients.

good luck

[angelique]

Originally Posted by Organic_Nut

I suggest you find a local cow farmer. go over and buy the largest truck load of cow manure. not all water wet. you want it dry.

now skip on all the composts and you will save money. you spent too much on the soil and got too little for it. you can get a huge dump truck load of cow manure for less money.

Not a good idea Organic_Nut. My closest plants are about 2ft from my fence. My neighbor's bedroom, living room and bathroom are only about 4ft from that fence.

I am one of the lucky few to have RV access (not paved). That is where I plant my tomatoes. Besides, that area also houses my kitchen window. In the Sacto heat, the last thing I want to smell when I am cooking is manure. I'd much rather spend the money to buy less offensive smelling amendments!

Using manure is NOT good subdivision etiquette.