Is Gardening Worth the Cost?

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

This is why every garden needs an entertainment space, no matter how small. Just a few chairs is enough to share the garden with non-gardeners.💚

[@357pls]

Yes! I took out a couple of beds a few years ago where nothing really grew that well anyway and put in a patio. It's right in the middle of the garden under a shade tree and has been the best spot for barbeques, daily lunches and cribbage tournaments with my hubby! Hanging out in the garden on warm nights with the tiki torches all around is heaven!

[@Oktopia]

Enjoyment of gardening is what makes you not notice that you're moving literal tons of dirt around. Being outside in the sun and the rain. Watching where the snow accumulates with mixed feelings, hoping you put the beds in the right spot. Opening mail with seed packets in like it's Christmas. Eating my one and only surviving cabbage for dinner. Being able to constantly have fresh squash and other things all summer. My first ever potato harvest. So much value beyond money. As a frugal DIY'er, I spent more time than money. But it's all worth it.

[@jasonmann5019]

Great sharing Scott. Gardening is a lifestyle. It has nutrition benefits along with contributing to a healthy mind. While someone is spending 3 hours a day in their garden that is 3 hours someone isn't on social media participating in some of the vile that is spewed out on various platforms. Healthy mind and healthy body. I am living in public housing and l have had drug dealers living nextdoor to me for the last 5 years. When l am in the garden l am not thinking about the negative influence around me. Keep up the good work Scott you have helped my garden greatly. Much appreciated and best wishes to you. Jason from Melbourne Australia.

[@Gordie1450]

Keeping busy keeps me out of trouble

[@markthurst9751]

Scott is not satisfied only growing plants. he's out here growing US spiritually.

[@conniedavidson1807]

Congratulations on 500 videos. That's a lot of teaching and a lot of learning for us. I thank you for all the hours of work that means, but mostly, for all I've learned to help my garden thrive.

[@eliandkate]

Yes 100% I am with you. Financially, my garden has cost a small fortune. It took years to save up for my greenhouse but... we have so many very special memories in our garden including getting married in it in front of our family and friends. Regardless of actual costs, every minute I spend tending the garden, every penny I spend on the garden, it's all worth it to me. And now I know why you have the numbers... I've always wondered.

[@ninemoonplanet]

For me it's both a way to get into the soils, play with mud, catch worms and somehow end up eating highly nutritious food. I still can figure out how to keep rosemary through the winter, I'm good at somehow letting it die. But, I get the dead leaves.

[@songsforthemaster]

Amen❣️ Well said❣️ No price can be put on the therapeutic part of gardening. Gardening is a source of physical, emotional and spiritual healing. Thank you for sharing your special talent with us. 🥰

[@margolehman5482]

Last 10 minutes of this video is pure gold. Thank you!

[@tacomaland1557]

Damn Scott. Making me tear up! I feel your passion and thank you for sharing. I agree. The math is all extra, but you can’t put a price on the joy and the pride of the journey.

[@andreat9847]

My niece gets side tracked in my little garden, on the way to my door. So do my friend's kids. I enjoy my garden even more because of it. This was a perfect topic for your 500th video.

[@54cal54]

Fresh veggies, the peacefulness and the look on kids faces looking for a pumpkin is priceless.

[@mags9536]

I love every minute of my gardening. I've spent a small fortune but because I love it so much, I think it's worth it 😁

[@lineaostri]

I grow a lot of herbs to make tea mixes. To have every fresh herb I want/need right outside my door feels amazing. I also grow flowers. They make me happy. That happiness will always make gardening worth it to me.

[@juneramirez8580]

My friend's husband complains that his wife has too many plants and should stop gardening. She says Fine, I'll do drugs instead to get my pleasure!!!! SHE is still gardening!

[@rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr1]

Don't forget the exercise!

[@debc.8925]

Congratulations on video number 500! This video was a real “feel good” video and I loved it! For me, there is no place that brings me peace like being in my garden. I could sit for hours in my chair amongst the tomato plants, the greenstocks and the strawberries, along with all of the other herbs and veggies. And nothing completes it more than having a visitor to share a bag or a snack of what is growing. The first thing my grandkids will say when they go into the backyard on a nice warm summer day is “can we pick the strawberries?” :-). Yes, absolutely yes.

[@budj13]

Well said! One factor that is hard to quantify is the quality of fresh produce versus store bought. But, that quality is a major justification for me. I think the joy of growing is my #1 justification.

[@budj13]

Oh, and congratulations on 500 videos. You have created a precious resource for gardeners around the world.

[@deltorres2100]

So today, a friend of mine, that Garden brought me some bamboo inside bamboo and outside bamboo and brought me a small aloe vera and brought me some fresh eggs from his silky chickens and I was like wow, so I had canned pear preserves that I can myself from my pear tree, and I also can for the first time pear scrap jelly, so I sent him with all of that back and it was really a goodies This was today.

[@kathybaker8112]

When I began my gardening journey a few years ago, you're channel was the first resource I utilized. The amount of intention and value you put into each video is also priceless! This very special video is the best example of that! Thank you, @gardenerscott for sharing your passion with the world. Much love to you and your family.

[@walterwillis5351]

For some of us it is akin to therapy. My wife wears rubber gloves when she is digging around, not me. I want to feel the dirt, and yes, the occasional earthworm. I want to feel the plants, and I want them to know my gentle touch. Wearing gloves in general makes gardening impersonal. I get down on my knees while working the garden, I get close to the plants, almost like communing with the garden. Yah, it's therapy. :) There is nothing like walking out getting some leaves of lettuce, some tomatoes, and other salad ingredients for a nice fresh salad at dinner, and the taste is so much better than store bought. Only place possibly nearly as fresh would be a farmers market on the weekends. Going to try a few things different this year since our Springs have been more unpredictable than usual. Got a little greenhouse, got a Greenstalk that I will use for the leafy veggies and herbs. Going to get a shade cloth to put over parts of the garden where things that tend to bolt will be planted. And just about ready to get a bunch of seeds started indoors.

[@MS-pw6ur]

Just stay up to date on your tetanus shots! I unfortunately can't afford to risk it anymore since I became immunosuppressed.

[@Myflowers1]

Amazing you garden with your wife bravo❤

[@adventuresinlifemka1762]

My husband and i are enjoying my garden. He gets so excited with the potatoes and watching the eyes swell before plsnting. He spends so much time pucking out the peppers and helping pick out varieties of tomatoes. He did not grow up with a family garden (even though he did live on Goodyear Farm for a while). I am also growing foods that only I will eat and I won't buy at the grocery. It is worth it.

[@Mechanicturfgear]

It’s not about profit it’s about peace of mind . Grandkids love it

[@chuckledbetter]

yes the enjoyment , therapy, and the fresh food benfit are some of the main reasons for the garden but the sharing with your grandchildern is priceless as you mentioned as a grandparent i have also enjoyed those moments money can't buy everything we have enjoyed the sharing of your knowledge in gardening congratulations on the success of your channel please continue chuck ledbetter checotah ok

[@chuckledbetter]

thank you

[@NextLevelGardening]

Congrats on 500!!

[@d66634]

Thank you for this thoughtful spoken essay. I have often heard it said that an economist is someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. I grew food in my garden for a number of reasons: 1. Get the highest quality of what I want, when I want it. 2. Not be dependent on food that's been adulterated with chemicals that will degrade my6 health and the health of my family 3. Enjoy the process of being a creator. 4. Enjoy spending time outside with the natural world. Money is never a good way to measure value.

[@kennytait9865]

Great vidio Scott love my garden great enjoyment watching something growing from seed and harvesting the taste is so much different from a supermarket bought what has been forced grown

[@BarndoVilla]

Gardener Scott's exploration of whether gardening is worth the cost, particularly through the lens of personal and financial investment, resonates deeply. His reflections on the intangible rewards of gardening, like joy, health, and community, alongside practical insights on productivity and cost-effectiveness, make a compelling case for the value of this nurturing hobby.

[@timmcquerry6068]

Afternoon Scott, that question oftentimes is asked. Well gardening is a HOBBY for me, hobbies cost money! The crops I raise are the BENEFIT above and beyond. Thats the way I think of it, justify it, if you will. I enjoy your videos, keep up the good work 👏.

[@robertavillella6485]

What a perfect 500th video! Thank you!

[@GrowEdibleInstead]

My city is increasing the water fee, I ask that question myself. And then my husband bought me a shirt that says "Gardening is my therapy " .

[@DR-rw7es]

Can you find ways to harvest rain water? It's actually better for your garden. I hope to one day afford a rain barrel but for now I put out buckets and transfer to clean water jugs. Last night our plastic kiddie swimming pool saved 4 gallons of rain water completely by accident! I am thrilled!!

[@CherrieMcKenzie]

Gardening is therapy for me. I slow down and take in my surroundings. I also work to reuse as much as possible to keep my costs down so my garden pays for itself. I can a lot and just bought chips to go with my homemade salsa. Doesn't get any better than that!!

[@sonyahogan5673]

The garden is my sanctuary. It's where I go to become humbled and grateful.

[@ericv00]

I literally started my garden with produce that was going bad that was going to be trash. Chiting store-bought potatoes, rotting onions, the root bottoms of leaks, garlic cloves, a handful of store-bought beans, planting a few whole spices (coriander, etc.). And I created clippings from existing plants others had, like rosemary, thyme, peppermint, and basil. The animals at the house poop, and instead of trashing that waste, I compost it into fertile soil along with yard waste. My raised beds are made from scrap wood from demolished structures. Literal 'trash'. It cost me NOTHING to grow these plants aside from some extra water when it is dry and the food that the animals process into compost material. Not only do I get better, fresher food, I don't spend the gas to travel to the store and I have little need to offload garbage since most of what I generate is organic material that goes straight back into the compost pile. For me, the only real cost has been time, and even that is not too bad.

[@sandramorton5510]

Excellent reminder why we garden, rewarding is the word. Solves mental and physical requirements and you get food, remarkable.

[@roserizzo3094]

The love of gardening is priceless! Fantastic video!

[@Melissa-gn3dv]

Another benefit of gardening is that your family will survive if there is a catastrophe. It is important to pass on the knowledge of growing our own food. Congratulations on number 500!

[@TalkingThreadsMedia]

YES!!! Gardening is worth the expenditures. Time in the garden makes me happy, it also lowers my blood pressure, provides lots of food for eating, sharing, canning, and dehydrating. Flavor is better. No chemicals. Canning jars get used over and over. Less waste. Fewer trips to the grocery store. Saving and sharing seeds saves even more money. Thank you for making this video. Best wishes from Kate in Olympia, WA - 2-8-2024.

[@karenp9338]

One of my children would be caught sitting amongst the cherry tomatoes plucking them off and eating them like candy. That was almost 30 years ago and they still vividly remember that time of when they were a kid. Those are priceless memories for sure. I love sharing my garden and I always hear from those that sit in my garden, find it peaceful and relaxing. Gardening is therapy to me, where I find peace even through hard work, and with that hard work is being able to still harvest Kale in January

[@TheWickerShireProject]

The infectious romantic love of gardener Scott. Organic food, self enjoyment from growing your own food as a hobby, community aspect ( you might become the neighborhoods next Scott the Gardener), Not having to drive anywhere saving the gas and wear and tear on your vehicle plus being able to grow food when it comes to the point of becoming too costly, Not to mention the wide variety in selection you cannot find anywhere and then there is the satisfaction level of accomplishment in learning a valuable Human tool that goes along side that whole process. Cheers Scott! Grow Big or go hungry. We won't mention Glyphosate in all meat fed and grown products that poison us and makes us sick. Since we did... Your medical bills goes away as you eat healthier. Fat, cancer, allergies ect...

[@jnorth3341]

So far I'm sure I've lost money by gardening but by learning more and getting better set up along with the prices at the store only going up means I'll come ahead eventually. On top of that, there have been increasing supply shortages and it looks like that will be continuing if not increasing, getting set up where I am supplying takes care of that issues for me.

[@pilsplease7561]

Since day 1 I have made money if i do the math.

[@timothykrott7248]

I garden because I enjoy it, I use raised beds and a 10x16 poly tunnel. Probably be money ahead not to garden. But its relaxing, and I enjoy it.

[@ryankjett]

This was lovely and touching. The memories and sharing are some of the hidden benefits of gardening. When you have created something and shared it with those you love, you're saying, "I made this; this is what I think is good, and I hope you enjoy it, too." Congrats on 500, sir.

[@aalejardin]

Sheer joy of working with the plants and observing the natural world, inspiring my daughter to garden, great exercise, best tasting vegetables, sharing plants and produce with friends and neighbors, great memories -- all of those are priceless. When my city boy husband first tasted some freshly shelled peas from the garden he exclaimed that they were almost like a different vegetable and now he is the one who is out picking the cherry tomatoes as soon as they are ready. I've spent a lot of money on my garden because I am coming to it late in life after many years living and working in a city where I could only garden on a terrace that got about 3 hours of sun, but, especially if you are young, you have the advantage of time and there are many ways to garden without spending a fortune. In addition to Gardener Scott's excellent channel, there are others who give practical advice on DIY approaches. You really don't need to be using massive amounts of purchased fertilizer, special soil and equipment and other expensive items.

[@donnaprima2802]

It suddenly got a little dusty in here...Congrats on the 500, and thanks so much for your knowledge and continued inspiration!

[@jeanetteb3541]

Thanks Scott, we'll put. I know sometimes I forget all the little things that I enjoy about gardening.😊

[@Charlenedoesstuff]

my sister and one of my good friends both encouraged me to start a garden but I too intimidated by the idea, I didn't know how to start and what to do. They both died- my friend in 2018 after a long battle with breast cancer and my sister in 2021 of C19. Summer of 2021 I started my garden only with the help of YT channels like yours and now I have an ever-expanding garden and I love it. The cost is totally worth it. Everytime I eat a tomato I grew or pick some flowers I grew or sit on my front porch and watch the hummingbirds and the finches enjoying the flowers, it reminds me of them. It would have cost me more NOT to start the garden. It helped me heal.

[@GardenerScott]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping memories of them is easy in a garden and their influence is helping you become a better gardener.

[@gemajams]

Yes, peace of mind, therapeutic, and fresh vegetables!

[@brittanyjackson7361]

Gardening creates memories for me. I have my garden in my grandparents back yard. as I get older, when they're gone (they're in their 80's), I'll have memories of them coming out to greet me. Gardening is priceless. As far as the pumpkin, that was one of the first things I grew. I plan to grow them as a small patch this year for my 5-year-old cousin. Having her go through my garden would give her an idea of where her food comes from. At least, I'll pass on some memories to the next generation.

[@fuzzytale]

Even if it never saved me a dime, gardening would absolutely be worth it for me. Lovely video

[@12Jerbs]

I haven't watched the video yet - but my 2cents, even if it is more expensive. - I get the satisifaction of producing my own F&V - I get the serentiy of tending to my 'babies' and watching them progress - It motives me to go outside and break away from technology - I get fresh F&V packed with more vitamins/minerals VS shop bought which can be days/weeks old

[@karen_james]

With costs for vegetables here in Canada, $4.49 to $5.99 CAD for a head of lettuce, I’ve recouped my investment the first year. I’m an organic gardener so thankfully I don’t have costs like pesticides and I make my own compost. Canadian prices are ridiculous.

[@mrslatham]

I remember growing up in the garden with my dad. It was so hot and bugs were horrible! But over the years, I realized that he shared something very special with me. Today, I am creating my own and love every minute of seeing my family out there with me. No electronics, just nature and its rewards. We love all your videos! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@jongwennap7853]

Loved the family memory element especially. 'strangers that left as friends' ❤

[@jodyk4949]

The joy of gardening is the price of peace and serenity everyone deserves.

[@HeatherThompsonSocially]

I enjoy gardening and have been doing it for 10 years, and I grow food for myself and my parents. I love growing my own food and can't wait for spring.

[@mikek5631]

Gardening for me is just as much a hobby as it is a purpose. It is worth it for me because I enjoy it so much. I love mid season evenings in the summer when I can just sit down and smile at what I have created. Love it.

[@Concept_education]

Sounds like the old Mastercard commercials. PRICELESS!

[@blacksmithden]

I put in 10 raised beds, and 11 fruit trees last year in a not very big urban back yard. My total cost was no doubt well over $8K Canadian by the time I got everything just the way I wanted it. For me, gardening is like hunting. We don't talk about how much it costs per pound of meat that we're able to harvest because the price is 10 times what I could buy beef for in the supermarket. If I live long enough, I'll recoup my costs for the garden stuff, but I figure I'll be in the red for at least 5 years. Oh well. I see it as a hobby, and I've had more expensive hobbies than this. LOL. What I love about it is like you say. Being able to walk out in the yard and get fresh produce. Also, I know myself. I'd never go to the supermarket and buy 10 lbs of beans, cut them up, and freeze them in bags for the winter. Same thing with green peppers, carrots, apple pie filling, corn (I'm not doing corn again though).....etc etc, etc. It's SO nice to be able to go down to the freezer and just grab a bag of xyz, already cut up and portioned out to give everybody a side dish. I make my own cucumber pickles, pickled hot peppers, jalapeno jelly (people call me asking for my jalapeno jelly), and various other things. It's a heck of a lot of work in the fall, but it's so nice being able to just walk down to the pantry and grab a jar of whatever. Another thing I did was I made up 60-something single portions of chili. My wife doesn't eat it much, but my son and I love it. Go down to the freezer, and grab a couple of bags of chili that I grew the tomatoes, green peppers, onions, and garlic for, pop them in the microwave for a few minutes, there's dinner. When I made up that batch, it took me about 6 hours over 2 days....but it was like making dinner 30 times. Over all, it's still a huge time saver, and I never did it, and wouldn't have done it if I did grow so much stuff myself. I actually get up off the couch and get some exercise. I'm now saving money. Everything is fresh over the last half of summer and fall. This year, I've got 147 strawberry plants started, and I ordered 10 raspberry canes to add to the 2 raised beds of them I already have (different type this time). I don't know how many times I didn't even make dinner when I was home by myself. Sometimes I'd just go out in the garden and forage. Gardening for me is relaxing, healthy, and over the years, it'll be a cost saver. So worth it.

[@juliettegoudreau216]

Agree with everything you said. I started gardening 4 years ago and love every aspect of it. Salutations from Acadie in Canuckistan a.k.a Canada 😉 🍎🍎🍎🍎👩🏼‍🌾🍁🍁🍁👍🏻

[@charlie5204]

It's the right question and everybody has to answer it by themselves. I try to upcycle what ever I can to decrease the cost, but sometimes it's better to buy than to make it by myself. At the end gardening for me is like meditation. The best place after working hours and for me worth the cost. And don't forget what you get out of the garden. All these fruits and vegetables, which you can't buy at the store.

[@brendamarker7351]

The enjoyment along with the produce that is delicious is the reason I garden. Thank you for putting that all in perspective! 🙂

[@davidreitz5178]

Lettuce grew faster than we could eat so we shared so much. 8 peach trees come in fast so we give them away to everyone for the next month. And when the tomatoes come in we will do the same thing. It’s fun giving away produce.

[@simplysimple7628]

It’s worth your self worth. It’s your therapist. Your friend, your teacher, your foe, and most of all your SPACE. It’s well worth it, even if it does cost you “money”. You can’t put a price on your mental health.

[@ginj5375]

It will be worth it this year for sure!

[@danielleosentoski520]

My dad passed away 10 years ago and some of our fondest memories are with him in his garden with his giant Tomatoe plants! And devouring his yummy bruschetta made with his tomatoes! We have pictures of him with his grand kids in the garden enjoying time with him there. I made his garden his memorial after he passed away. Thank you for sharing your experience with gardening

[@kitharrison1870]

I discovered your channel Mr. Scott while perusing reviews of the Gardenstalk vertical garden. I am a novice gardener (been doing backyard gardening for just 4 years and I am glad I already share the same sentiments as you shared in this video. I am not sure why I got emotional but the invaluable returns of gardening is something I hold dearly in my heart. It definitely brought joy and pride to my life! Thanks for verbalizing your insights! I will be a forever subscriber!

[@margaretmarshall3645]

For me, the “Is it worth it?” is a crop by crop decision. I live about 5 minutes from 3 grocery stores plus Walmart. But none of them sell kumquats, rarely figs, and their fresh herbs and pomegranates are outrageous. Their tomatoes can’t match mine and come in just a few varieties, chosen for toughness and long shelf life rather than flavor or nutrition. They don’t sell red-veined sorrel to add interest to my salads. They don’t sell boysenberries or black raspberries or mulberries or Meyer lemons or Spice-zee nectaplums or multiple varieties of fig or more than one variety of pomegranate. Where I live in SoCal zone 9A, I can grow all of those and cheerfully buy my Romaine lettuce and potatoes and onions at the store.

[@tennesseenana4838]

I look at gardening several different ways. Of course, as producing good tasting food. When I compare the taste of produce sold in stores to the taste of what I'm growing, mine taste so much better. Plus, I know where it comes from, and no chemicals are involved. I look at the expense of gardening as an investment in my health and wellbeing. It gets me outside and is good exercise - both to my body and also to my mind. The more I learn about the different plants, the more I find there is to learn. That includes all of nature, especially weather patterns, insects and birds. Gardening is a stress reliever! The outside chaos tends to just disappear when I'm in my garden. Maybe I'm just a kid at heart who still likes to play in the dirt.

[@grizzlyadams5458]

I love my garden. The taste itself is worth so much

[@heatherjolly8389]

I love gardening as a hobby. Not just for profit only. And it's okay to spend money on a hobby❤

[@brianmoore-classicalguitar896]

Great video Gardener Scott! I am inspired by channels like yours. Summer of 2023 was my biggest garden effort yet! I decided to spare no expense. I built 7 elevated raised beds and 17 sub irrigating containers. I bought a new grow light, drip irrigation and timers. I bought a pressure canner. I tried many new crops and experiments and had many failures. But I persisted. It was the adventure of a lifetime! Tonight, I just ate a supper of home grown vegetables I canned in '23! Can't put a price on it.

[@gardenaddict]

Yes yes yes, it gives more than it takes 😊

[@anniecochrane3359]

I agree with all you say. I simply couldn't not garden!! Whenever I have bought a new property during my long life, it has to be able to be gardened. This is more important to me than the built environment. Yes, it saves me money and I get organic food that is grown with love. But as you say, you cant put a cost on it, except to say gardening may well help save on health costs, both mental and physical. When my family visit, they delight in picking plums, cucumber, beans, tomatoes, peaches and on and on. And I delight in their delight. As I grow older my concern is 'how will I garden as my body weakens". Thank you for this great video.

[@DDGLJ]

It’s my main hobby, I make no apologies for it. Plus, it gives back to the family quite a bit more than a lot of hobbies do.

[@PlantObsessed]

Congratulations on video #500 Gardening is always worth it. Food, mental health, physical exercise.

[@scottolson6201]

I garden in southern California in Zone 10b and if I only gardened based on the financial aspects I'd have to quit tomorrow. The cost of water alone to irrigate my garden is prohibitive, not counting all of the other costs associated with growing plants. However, with that said, I get so much out of my time spent in the garden that it is a no brainer for me. When I think about it most hobbies don't really "pay for themselves", it's the enjoyment and self-fulfillment you garner from activities that you enjoy that is important.

[@juneramirez8580]

To lower that water bill do you collect rain water to water some of your plants. Does your state allow you to collect rain water? Some don't. When running water to get to that hot water do you collect that in a container and use later on plants? You can use grey water diverted from your washing machine and sinks to help water plants. That does take some plumbing changes to do that. Just a few suggestions that may help. Hope it was useful.

[@ericlion2208]

For me, gardening is a wonderful hobby. And every hobby costs money. In addition to vegetables, I also have many, many flowers that don't produce any profit (except for the insects). I also believe that a garden promotes physical and mental health. And the pleasure of walking through a blooming garden every day is simply priceless. And yes, it is such a pleasure to gift your family and friends with fresh, healthy vegetables.

[@Adnancorner]

After all we are all memories in the end. :') got tears in my eyes gardener Scott, really touching.

[@Chocamatoes]

Gardening for me was a way to have something in common with my father. Most of my life my mom was the center of attention. When she passed away, gardening connected me to my dad. I don’t care what it cost. Beside the taste of fresh produce is superior and it also takes all my depression away. To me is highly worth it!

[@carolynstreet5325]

I don't care how much more it costs. I will keep gardening for my health and the health of my family, and for my well-being. I'm not sure I've ever seen you more excited in any of your previous videos.

[@mommy6671]

I started in the ground and have been improving it over the last four years. It is still a work in progress. The soul is still poor, but it produces 😊

[@lweddle5]

You make the best video!!!❤🎉😊 I'm better at gardening because of you! Thank you

[@brianseybert192]

Congratulations on #500, you have helped a lot of people learn how to garden, me included. The garden to me is so much more than growing food. The nature my garden brings to my small space on this planet is worth it's weight in gold. The familiarity of a chickadee taking seed from my hand or a hummingbird perching inches away, looking me in the eye, priceless. As for the harvests, I enjoy the neighborhood children that force Mom or Dad to come to my garden and feast on cherry tomatoes, raspberries, beans or strawberries. As always, the "free table" is a constant once stuff starts popping. The garden has given me a purpose and a sanctuary that is right out my door. Looking forward to the next 500. Stay Well!!!

[@juneramirez8580]

I rethink that question daily!!😊😊😊 And YES IT IS! It is still excersize, your getting vitamin D, enjoying the outdoors, playing in the dirt, eating clean food and providing food for pollinators!

[@dimitrist815]

Great video Scott, and explaining why gardening is priceless 👌

[@lisag9752]

You knocked it out of the park with this one! You can't put a price on memories and experiences. 😊

[@deltorres2100]

You’re so right it’s usually one person that maintains everything. Yes my husband helps me. My father-in-law helps me. My kids help me but it’s me and I’m only five years in deep and I’m loving what we grow. We eat what we grow. I only grow what I like to eat so if I don’t like eggplant I’m not growing eggplant but I had to learn and I think I’m getting better. I had such great success with tomatoes last year And melons I did really good with melons 🌱🌱🌱 I’m trying to reconfigure out where things are going to be at and plus I guess I’m gonna grow more potatoes more onions I got garlic and now .. but I totally understand. I’m a small backyard garden.

[@Scott3387]

Great choice for video 500. My children are still small but last year the oldest grew their own carrots. Not in a 'oh cute they stood near while you did all the work' but she made the trench, sprinkled the seeds, watered them etc. I had to thin them out but that was it. She and her sister were pulling carrots, washing them and then eating them raw. It was great to see. I hope one day to be gardener Scott (snap on the name) at your age and have the vault of memories you do know.

[@victoria76116]

Hi Scott, enjoy your channel! There’s also the aspect of whether you are adding value to your property! That’s why I started (last year)! And so far the minimal cost I have incurred adds value to the property and so is worth it! ❤❤❤

[@vvolpe572]

Gardening has always been part of my life - when I was a little girl living in Pennsylvania, alongside my grandfather in the springs and summers, to container gardening when I was living on my own in apartments, to now, living in Northern Colorado and the last 4 years creating my own 'suburban farmstead', turning our entire yard into a garden, whether raised beds or in ground. Thank you for the guidance and tips you've given to help me navigate this Northern Colorado clay soil. My garden is also my safe haven. I love being out there daily and just looking and admiring all the hard work that has been done. I have joined gardening groups, and seed swaps in my area, and now am thinking of taking a certified gardener certificate program through the local CU Extension office. Congratulations on video #500 and here's to many many more! Thank you for all you do for the gardening community!

[@amymorales4622]

So true! Today, it's snowing, and I am warm inside the house, yet I am still gardening. I am choosing the seeds I will plant come spring. I know that I will be spending money that I may never recoup, but it's so enjoyable to learn about the different fruits and vegetables, and to think about where they will grow in my garden, and how they will taste. When the weather is nicer, I really enjoy being outside in the sunshine and moving around. My grandkids enjoy the garden, too. I figure that lots of people play golf, or pickle ball, or sew quilts, or play bingo, or go fishing. All of those things cost money to do, and hardly anybody expects to retire on their bingo winnings or eat only the fish they catch. It's all about the enjoyment.

[@davecalvo6418]

Gardening is not all about the cost/money it's a way of life, a hobby and a source of relaxation. The fresh produce you get from a taste and health standpoint is immeasurable. Just my perspective

[@frankbarnwell____]

Okay. Getting pumpkin seed tomorrow! Yes. It's so worth it.

[@justgivemethetruth]

Heck, I was watching a homesteading video from a women who was explaining how to raised enough chickens to feed oneself ... and she explained about what you needed to grow just to feed the chickens, let along yourself or your family ... and it was a lot of gardening space and time and resources, and money. The food system doesn't look so bad in that light.

[@Latebloomershow]

3:00 I started BIG here, but with only myself to make it happen.

[@michaeltimerson2628]

I never gave cost a big thought. My biggest motivator is I take much enjoyment in gardening. The whole process from planning in mid winter months to harvest in late summer and fall. I can a lot of what I grow to enjoy throughout the winter spring and summer. I even enjoy sharing what I grow with family and friends. I take great pride and enjoy showing my garden to them. I could go on and on. I have watched many of your videos and learned so much over the years, thank you Gardner Scott.

[@deltorres2100]

Yes the garden is great for your mind .. plus the work you put in always pays off with a great harvest. Yes, I got kale going purple kale, green kale, collard greens cabbages I’m here in Texas, so I’m not getting snow , I’m in Houston to be Exact 🌱

[@GeorgiasGarden]

Gardening is more than food. For me it’s an escape. It is my happy place. Something about having this space to create is good for my mental health. Im itching to get back out there in the soil. Right now I’m watching my seedlings growing under their lights. I’m growing my garden a little at a time. Each year I add more. Also store bought produce is just a disappointment compared to the flavor I can grow.

[@laraacker6644]

Congratulations on #500. I just picked a spinach leaf 2 days ago and ate while walking through my garden. Loved the fresh taste of it.

[@carladelagnomes]

Thank you Scott. At first I was dismayed by the talk of budgets, return and monetary value. I kept thinking, "I garden because I want to. I like seeing living things when I am approaching my living space after a hard day at work. There's something really cool about growing things that I don't even eat - but the neighbors do! And how about the psychological reward when I grow something I've been told, "You can't grow that here!" :D I'm feeding folks food that has flavor, isn't covered in poison, has nutritional value, and sometimes just grows out the garden and beautifies the landscape. Is all that worth it to me? Well Sure! Or I wouldn't do it! And not everything has to have a monetary value to have a "return." What is one's physical and psychological health worth, hummm? I'm glad you got to the crux of the matter by the end of the video. Congrats on #500! We value your presentations! All the best!

[@dustyflats3832]

I’ve enjoyed gardening as a tot and family including grandma in the strawberry patch. I enjoyed fishing in the creek for those lunker fish like carp, suckers and sheepshead that helped fertilize the garden. The only money spent was seed and occasional fertilizer. Dad always rotated the strawberries and used the suckers for new patch. We sold them by the wooden quart baskets full. I began selling American Seeds and never looked back. So many memories. I hope new gardeners don’t think they need money to start gardening. All that’s needed is seed, soil, a tool or two and that’s it. Sweat equity-it’s the biggest cost. I choose to garden in ground in dedicated wide rows we outline with reclaimed lumber or anything that works. We built a garden shed the same way and the lean to greenhouse-total minus sweat equity-$7.50. My big cost is fencing and we would not have anything to harvest without it. Nice salute to 500!