Gwen's heirloom garden 2012 in Layton, UT

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How to track my garden productivity?

By: Gardenmom47
Jul 07, 2012
Does anyone have any ideas or methods for tracking their productivity?  I do not want to make it an intense event but at least want to estimate my savings for this year.  This past fall and winter, I found myself paying $80 one week for fresh produce and decided the cost was ridiculous especially since the produce often looked sad.

One of my gardening goals this year is to track the amount of produce produced from our yard.  One of my biggest challenges is I tend to snack and munch while I work, and my youngest and his friends tend to snack while they play and run around the yard too.  Sometimes I remember to collect and weigh the peas before they are eaten, but I don't think about it when I gather peas or beans and give them to a neighbor, or when I pick a bowl of fresh produce to take to a barbecue or potluck.


Entry 2 of 2
JMTKMS replied 11 months ago
I am forgetful in weighing my produce from the garden, but I am going to try and keep track better.  Weighing and just keeping a running total is obviously the best method, but I usually just notice that when I go shopping, I do not go to the produce sections any more.  Its a nice feeling.  Odd, because when we do have to buy produce, we are always shocked at the prices because we never see them anymore.  
Gardenmom47 replied 11 months ago
@JMTKMS: we haven't bought much produce in the past month; I was shocked to see zucchini for over .85/lb....it is a grows like a garden weed!!!  I am looking forward to eating a fresh bell pepper that does not cost over $1.50 each...it is sad how many people will be malnourished and basically starving because they can not afford healthy and nutritious produce.
PrinceSnow replied 11 months ago
Even if you don't have time to weigh (which we don't), what we do is keep a journal of everything picked. I fill it in right when I come in...the kids help. It's so much fun to do the totals at the end of the season. You will be amazed.
Gardenmom47 replied 11 months ago
@PrinceSnow:thanks for the tip; I will try it out.  I have a scrap piece of plywood to turn into a chalkboard for the garden area.  I can always make it a way to track what we pick, harvest and eat before it gets into the house.  Today I picked peas and beans and rinsed them before they were put on the grill; the pea pods were delicious but the beans were a little dry.
SweetDomesticity replied 11 months ago
I am weighing my harvests in this year and the hardest part was just getting in the habit of doing it.  Now that I've been doing it, it really doesn't take that much time or seem like extra work to me.  I keep a notepad with the scale and just keep a running tally that I enter into an Excel spreadsheet about once a week or so.  I don't get too hung up on missing the handful of berries eaten in the yard, or the zucchini handed off to a neighbor, as I feel I have a good estimate even without that total, knowing in my mind that certain totals should be slightly more.  The nice thing about doing the weigh in is that I have a better grasp on what things actually weigh on average.  If I wanted to, I could estimate in the weight of the rough handful of berries eaten or the zucchini given away.  
Gardenmom47 replied 10 months ago
@SweetDomesticity...: thanks for the idea; I started an excel spreadsheet but have not put it to use.  I love sharing ideas with everyone; I find a combination of several ideas usually works great!!
Gardenmom47 replied 10 months ago
I was worrying and getting hung-up on making sure I was getting a good return on my investment in my garden, but the truth is I would garden no matter what because not all the costs or benefits are financial.  My gardening time is my time to center myself, heal my spirit, share with friends, neighbors and family, and spread health and bounty.   I am happy I have been able to share so many plant starts, cuttings and seeds with others.  I definitely believe my garden has infinite value that will give more and beyond my lifetime!!!
PrinceSnow replied 10 months ago
@Gardenmom47:I agree. Even though we invest the money, the whole process, planning, planting, tending, worrying, coddling...it's much like caring for a child...and does boost/nourish our spirit!

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