So ends June

So I returned quite late Sunday night with the rest of the family who spent the weekend at a relative celebrating a cousins 24th birthday.

The garden greeted me with a few more mangetout peas and a few signs of progress but no major catastrophes.

The weather remains dry though my neighbour said we had a particularly good rain shower Sunday morning, although to look at the soil its kind of hard to believe.

The tomato side shoots I put to root in water a week or so back have started to root, so I’ll need to pot them up soon.

Well to tell the honest truth I’m still trying to get my energy levels up after the late nights over the weekend, so outside of watering and removing side shoots from the tomato plants not much has been done over the last two days.

PS I have also updated my savings for June month for those following this post.

Here's a couple photos of what greeted me on my return:

The wild yarrow has begun to flower.

In the mini meadow area the most successful flower has been the corncockles which are now in flower.

The chamomile plants that were sent to me as rooted cuttings last autumn by a generous A4A member have begun to flower, I was pleasantly surprised to find out they were a double petal variety.

My hollyhocks have been disappointingly lacking in height and in blossoms, but this dark variety greeted me on my return.

Another plant to disappoint height wise this year has also started flowering - the evening primroses.

The purple podded french beans have started flowering.

As well as the borlotto beans.

And while out with my daughters we spied our first monarch butterfly of the year.

The ying yang beans which started flowering a couple weeks ago now have young pods forming. I'm growing these with the outdoor tomatoes under a semi cover for harvesting the mature dry beans in the autumn.

Runner beans beginning to grow pods as well.

Am I Saving Myself Money (check in often to see my updated savings).

So one of the main reasons for growing your own is to save money, although if you re just staring out and want that finished look straight away any saving you do make would probably been eaten up with the initial outlay, (there are ways to offset this and that is by being frugal and reusing other people's throw aways, etc). Once you are up and running though there are certainly savings to be had.

I'm not really going to look at the moneys I have spent this year but my garden is pretty much put away so my out goings this year is pretty small. From memory I have bought compost for sowing seeds = approx £30.00, and another £50.00 pounds on a mixture of stuff such as; bamboo canes, seeds, netting, planting containers, a couple willow hurdles and other bits and bobs. I will probably spend at least another £20.00 or so before the end of the year but I most likely won't need too.

So starting from my first harvest of the year I will list according to month and date my harvests their weights/ amounts and the cost of the equivalent according to Tesco's prices as that is where I do my shopping.

P.S. you can always find this posting by clicking on the link titled My Supermarket Savings which is on the right hand side.

April:

02/04/09 -

• Lettuce (Little Gem): 4oz/100g - 88p
• Purple Sprouting Broccoli (PSB): 8.5oz/230g - £1.82
• Spring Onion: 2 medium stalks - 13p (approx ten in a bunch)

12/04/09 -

• PSB: 13.5oz/ 380g - £2.43

13/04/09 -

• Chinese Leaves (picked as pak choi): 200g - £1.18
• Spring Onion: 2 med stalks - 13p
• Oregano (no price available but will price re rosemary prices): 20g - 39p
• Parsley: 20g - 32p

15/04/09 -

• Spinach: 9.5oz/ 350g - £2.59
• Rhubarb: 1lb 8.5oz/ 700g - £3.05

18/04/09 -

• PSB: 4oz/ 100g - 79p
• Chives x approx 1 bundle - 68p
• Oregano x approx 1 bundle - 79p
• Parsley x approx 1 bundle - 68p

19/04/09 -

• Spinach & Chard (Tesco does not sell chard so pricing is as spinach): 9oz/ 240g - £1.78
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p

20/04/09 -

• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Chives x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 38p

21/04/09 -

• Baby Carrots: .5oz/ 22g - 15p
• Pak Choi: 3.75oz/100g - 60p
• Chives x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 38p

22/04/09 -

• Parsley x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 19p

23/04/09 -

• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Chives x 1 bundle - 68p
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 38p

24/04/09 -

• Baby Carrots: .5 oz/ 22g - 15p

25/03/09 -

• Lettuce (Little Gem): 2oz/ 50g - 44p
• PSB: 8oz/ 230g - £1.82
• Spring Onions: 2 medium stalks - 13p
• Pak Choi & Chinese Leaves (used and picked as pak choi): 600g - £3.54

26/04/09 -

• Lettuce (Little Gem) (pricing is now each) x 1 - 44p
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 38p
• Chives x 1 bundle - 68p

28/04/09 -

• PSB: 7oz/ 200g - £1.58
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 19p

30/04/09 -

• Radishes: 6oz/180g - 60p
• Spinach: 12oz/ 340g - £2.52
• Parsley x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 38p
• Chives x 1 bundle - 68p

Total not spent in the supermarket this months was: £36.51

May

01/-5/09 -

• Spinach: 3oz/ 85g - 63p

07/05/09 -

• Parsley x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 38p

09/05/09 -

• Radishes: 3oz/ 90g - 30p
• Lettuce (Little Gem) x 1 - 44p

10/05/09 -

• Spinach: 12oz/ 340g - £2.52

11/05/09 -

• Radishes: 4.5oz/ 145g - 49p
• Lettuce (Little Gem) x 3 - £1.32
• Chives x 1 bundle - 68p
• Parsley x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 38p

14/05/09 -

• Radishes: 5oz/ 150g - 51p
• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 19p

15/05/09 -

• Radishes: 3.75oz/ 110g - 37p
• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 19p
• Parsley x 1/2 bundle - 34p

16/04/09 -

• Radishes: 3oz/90g - 30p

17/05/09 -

• Turnips: 1lb 4oz/ 575g (no price available at Tesco, this is Sainsbury's price) - 80p
• Turnip Tops: (froze 1lb 5o/ 600g) + (used 7oz/ 180g) prices not available, so used kale as a comparison - £3.04
• Chard as per spinach: 7oz/ 180g - £1.34
• Parsley x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Chives x 1 bundle - 68p
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 38p

19/05/09 -

• Mizuna (no prices available, priced as pak choi): 7oz/ 200g - £1.19
• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 38p
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p

20/05/09 -

• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p

21/05/09 -

• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 19p
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p

24/05/09 -

• Chives x 1/2 bundle - 34p

25/05/09 -

• Parsley x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Chives x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Oregano x 1 bundle - 76p

26/05/09 -

• Lettuce (Little Gem) x 2 - 88p

27/05/09 -

• Turnips: 1lb/ 450g (Tesco's has in stock now) - 72p
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 19p

29/05/09 -

• Mizuna (no price available, priced as per pak choi): 13.5oz/ 395g - £2.35
• Parsley x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 38p
• Chives x 1/2 bundle - 34p

30/05/09

• Pak Choi: 2lb 10oz/ 1.2kg (on sale) - £6.00
• Mizuna (priced a pak choi): 1lb 11oz/ 790g - £3.90
• Parsley x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Chives x 1/2 bundle - 34p

Total not spent in the supermarket this month was: £37.49. That is 98p more than last month.

June

01/06/09

• Chives x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 38p

03/06/09

• Oregano (picked for drying to bottle for winter use): 10oz/ 280g - £7.28 (this price won't be included in this month's total, once dried I'll re-weighed I'll calculate to get the actual purchasing price).
• Oregano (for current use, stored in freezer) x 1 & 1/4 bundles - 98p
• Chives (glut stored in freezer): 1lb 4oz/ 500g - £13.50
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p

04/06/09

• Turnips: 1lb 4oz/ 500 - 70p

07.06/09

• Lettuce (Butterhead): 15oz/ 450g (Tesco's closest match is their seasonal lettuce, prices per lettuce) - 68p
• Chard as per spinach: 5oz/ 124g - 92p
• Mangetout Peas: 15oz/ 425g - £2.27
• New Potatoes: 1lb 14 & 1/2oz/ 870g - 69p
• Parsley x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Basil (Greek): 1oz/ 28g - 73p
• Thyme (lemon) x 1/4 bundle - 17p

11/06/09

• Mangetout Peas: 8oz/ 200g - £1.07

13/06/09

• Parsley x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Chives x 1 bundle - 68p
• Spinach: 1lb 1oz/ 750g - £5.56
• Lettuce (Lolla Rossa): 14oz/ 400g (Tesco's closest match is their crisp summer lettuce, prices per lettuce) - 99p

16/06/09

• Strawberries: 3oz/ 86g - 38p
• Mangetout Peas: 12oz/ 350g - £1.87
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 38p
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Chives x 1/2 bundle - 34p

17/06/09

• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 19p

20/06/09

• Strawberries: 5oz/ 150g - 66p

21/06/09

• Chives x 1 bundle - 68p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 19p
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p

22/06/09

• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 19p
• Lettuce (Palmorosa): 1 head (Tesco's match is their Red Gem Lettuce) - 48p each
• Garlic Chives x 1/2 bundle -(none available at Tesco so I have priced the at the high end of the herb prices) - 38p
• Basil (Greek) x 1/2 bundle - 38p

23/06/09

• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p

24/06/09

• Mangetout Peas: 8oz/ 200g - £1.07
• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• New Potatoes: 2lb 1/2oz/ 125g - 89p

27/06/09

• Lettuce (Lolla Rossa): 12oz/ 350g - 99p

29/06/09

• Chives x 1/2 bundle - 34p

30/06/09

• Chives x 1/2 bundle - 34p

Total not spent in the supermarket this month was £41.28. That is £3.79 more than last month.

July

01/07/09

• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p
• Strawberries: 10.5oz/ 300g - £1.31
• Mange tout Peas: 5oz/ 125g - 93p

02/07/09

• Chives x 1/2 bundle - 34p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p

03/07/09

• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p

04/07/09

• Lettuce (Lolla Rossa): 13.5oz/ 390g - 99p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p
• Sage x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p

07/07/09

• Mange tout Peas: 1lb 14.5oz/ 875g - £6.52
• Courgette: 1lb 11oz/ 775g - £1.43

09/07/09

• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p
• Chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p

10/07/09

• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p
• chives x 1/4 bundle - 17p

14/07/09

• Chives x 1/2 bundle - 34p

19/07/09

• Lettuce (Lolla Rossa): 3.5oz/ 100g - 99p
• French Beans (I have grown a purple variety, I've priced them as regular F.beans but I'm quite sure Tesco would have sold them at a premium price): 9.5 oz/ 312g - £1.54
• Mange tout Peas: 4oz/ 112g - 83p
• Podded Peas (priced as per frozen peas): 5.5 oz/ 160 - 27p
• Carrots: 4.5oz/ 127g - 11p
• Mixed yellow Cherry Tomatoes (Tesco has various mixed tomato trays now): 1.5oz/ 30g - 22p
• Runner Beans: 7.5oz/ 212g - £1.40
• Springonions (the bunch I would normally buy has ten in a bunch) x 2 - 13p
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 20p

20/07/09

• Opium Poppy Seeds (couldn't find them online at Tesco, so the price is from Sainsbury's): 8oz/ 225g - 87p
• Perpetual Spinach: 1lb 8oz/ 675g - £2.69

21/07/09

• Garlic x 1 bulb - 30p

22/07/09

• Courgette: 1lb 11oz/ 775g - £1.43

24/07/09

• Sweet Peppers: 20z/ 55g - 60p
• French Beans: 11oz/ 325g - £2.88
• Runner Beans: 15.5oz/ 435g - 65p
• Springonions x 2 - 13p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p
• Thyme x 1/4 bundle - 17p

25/07/09

• Garlic Chives (figuring this is a maybe classed as a high end herb, I've priced it according to the more expensive herbs) x 1/2 bundle - 20p

26/07/09

• Courgette: 1lb 3oz/ 550g - £1.01
• Kohl Rabi (priced as per turnips): 2oz/ 60g - 36p
• Springonions x 2 - 13p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p
• Chinese Cabbage: 15oz/ 425g - 88p
• Garlic x 1 bulb - 30p

28/07/09

• Lettuce (Lolla Rossa): 1lb 2.5oz/ 525g - 99p
• Blackberries: 2.5 oz/ 75g - £1.00
• Runner Beans: 1lb 6oz/ 625g - £4.14
• French Beans: 7oz/ 200g - 99p
• Springonion x 2 - 13p
• Thyme x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p
• Garlic x 1 bulb - 30p

30/07/ 09

• Courgette: 1lb 5oz/ 600g - £1.10
• Carrots: 8oz/ 225g - 20p
• Mixed tomatoes: 4oz/ 110g - 82p
• Mini Ochro - cute but negligbe :)

Total not spent in the supermarket this month is £41.24. That is 4p more than last month, not a great amount more than last month but then I didn't actively harvest much at the beginning of the month as I stupidly bought to much vege from the grocery and didn't want to waste them.

August

02/08/09

• Blackberries (foraged): 4.5oz/ 125g - 3p
• Spring oniions x 3 - 24p
• Garlic x 1 - 30p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p
• Thyme x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Chard: 1lb 2oz/ 500g - £1.97
• Carrots: 7.5oz/ 212g - 25p
• Runner beans: 1lb 8oz/ 687g - £3.44
• Frenchbeans: 9oz/ 250g - £1.04

04/08/09

• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p
• Chives x 1/2 - 34p

05/08/09

• Cucumber (are sold @ 60p ea) x 1 = 1lb 1oz/ 475g - 60p
• Tomatoes (mixed) [Tesco sells a mixed variety tomato punnet]: 7oz/ 200g - £1.49
• Sweet pepper x 1 - 50p
• Beetroot: 10oz/ 275g - 65p
• Spring onion x 2 - 16p

07/08/09

• Runner beans: 1lb 3oz/ 540g - £2.70
• Frenchbeans: 13oz/ 375g - £1.56
• Spring onion x 1 - 8p

08/08/09

• Par-cel (herb similar to parsley so I will price it as flat leaf parsley) x 1/4 bundle - 32p
• Oregano x 1/2 bundle - 40p
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 32p
• Chives x 1 bundle - 68p
• Thyme x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Perpetual spinach: 2lb 6oz/ 1.75kg - £6.88
• Hungarian Sweet peppers x 2 - £1.28
• Carrots: 3.5oz/ 100g - 12p
• Tomatoes (salad): 3oz/ 75g - 15p
• Scotch bonnet chilli x 8 - £2.17

11/08/09

• Tomatoes (mixed): 3.5oz/ 102g - 69p
• Tomatoes (red cherry): 3.5oz/ 102g - 30p
• runner beans: 6oz/ 175g - 88p
• Scalloped squash (priced as butternut): 15.5oz/ 440g - 57p
• Garlic x 1 - 30p
• Cucumber x 1 = 1lb 4oz/ 555g - 60p
• Frenchbeans: 5oz/ 150g - 63p

12/08/09

• Cherry Plums (foraged): 8lbs/ 3.25kg - £12.19

The above savings will be calculated by the finished products it produced below:

• Jars of Jam x 3 = 1020g - £2.24
• Jars of Fruit Syrup x 2 = 680g - £2.92
• Pie x 1 - £1.60
• Cake x 1 - 78p
• Fruit Bars (priced as per Jordans Fruit Bars which is the only type I buy) x 12 - £3.40
• Chinese Plum Sauce x 1 jar = 340g - £2.18
• Plum BBQ Sauce x 1 jar = 340g - 79p

14/08/09

• Onions x 2 - 58p
• Scotch Bonnet x 1 - 10p
• Vietnamese Coriander (priced as regular coriander) x 1/4 bundle - 37p
• Lemongrass x 1 stalk - 34p
• Garlic x 1 - 30p

15/08/09

• Tomatoes (red cherry): 3oz/ 95g - 28p
• To,atoes (mixed salad): 6oz/ 190g - £1.42
• Tomatoes (yellow cherry): 3oz/ 95g - 71p

16/08/09

• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 32p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p
• Thyme x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Par-cel x 1/4 bundle 32p
• Runner beans : 1lb 1.5oz/ 500g - £2.50
• French beans: 2oz/ 55g - 23p
• Scoth bonnet x 1 - 10p
• Chard: 10.25oz/ 295g - £1.16
• Tomatoes (red cherries): .5oz/ 10g - 3p
• tomatoes (yellow cherries): 3.5oz/ 100g - 75p
• Tomatoes (salad): 8.5oz/ 240g - 47p
• Greek Basil: 60z/ 175g/ 9 measuring cups worth - £4.55

The above basil harvest will be calculated by the finished products it produced below:

• Pesto x 2 jars = 680g - £7.14

17/08/09

• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p
• Garlic x 1 - 30p
• Scotch bonnet x 1 - 10p
• Chinese leaves: 9.5oz/ 270g - £1.18
• Tomatoes (mixed): 6oz/ 170g - £1.27
• Tomatoes (red cherries): 1oz/ 15g - 4p
• Tomatoes (yellow cherries): 3.5oz/ 100g - 75p
• Beetroot: 7oz/ 200g - 47p
• Carrots: ".5oz/ 75g - 9p
• Par-cel x 1/4 bundle - 32p

18/08/09

• Cherry Plums (foraged): 2lbs/ 920g - £3.45

The above savings will be calculated by the finished products it produced below:

• Plum Jam x 3.5 jars = 1190g - £2.62

19/08/09

• Cucumber x 1 = 1lb 2oz/ 520g - 60p

20/08/09

• Courgette: 1lb 4oz/ 575g - £1.06
• Cucumber x 1 = 1lb 5oz/ 590g - 60p
• Sweet pepper x 1 - 50p
• Scalloped Squash: 13.5oz/ 380g - 46p
• Tomatoes (mixed): 8.5oz/ 248g - £1.85
• Tomatoes (yellow cherries): 2oz/ 50g - 37p
• Tomatoes (red cherries): 3.5oz/ 95g - 28p
• Tomatoes ( cooking plum varieties) [these are generally what is used to produce tin tomatoes and so I have priced them accordingly]: 2.5oz/ 60g - 5p

22/08/09

• Scalloped squash: 14oz/400g - 48p
• Runner beans: 15oz/ 426g - £2.13
• French beans: 5 oz/ 150g - 63p
• Tomatoes (yellow cherries): 1.75oz/25g - 19p
• Tomatoes (cooking plums): 4oz/ 110g - 10p
• Tomatoes (beefstalk- Sainsbury prices): 7oz/ 200g - 70p
• Tomatoes (salad): 1.5oz/ 30g - 6p
• Tomatoes (red cherries): 2oz/ 26g - 8p
• Spring onion x 1 - 8p

23/08/09

• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 32p
• Thyme x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Garlic x1 - 30p

24/08/09

• Tomatoes (salad): 14.5oz/ 410 - 81p
• Tomatoes (mixed): 2.5oz/ 70g - 52p
• Tomatoes (yellow cherries): 1oz/ 25g - 18p
• Tomatoes (cooking plums): 1.75oz/ 55g - 5p
• Tomatoes (red cherries): 5oz/ 145g - 43p
• Courgette: 1lb 2.5oz/ 525g - 97p
• Lemongrass x 1 stalk - 34p
• Scotch bonnet x 1 - 10p
• Veitnamese coriander x 1/4 bundle - 37p
• Spring onions x 2 - 16p

26/08/09

• Runner beans: 12.5oz/ 365g - £1.83
• French beans: 1.50z/ 35g - 15p
• Spring onion x 2 - 16p
• Scalloped squash: 14.5oz/ 420g - 50p
• Perpetual spinach: 13oz/ 475g - £1.87
• scotch bonnet x 1 - 10p
• Tomatoes (red cherries): 1.5oz/ 35g - 10p
• Tomatoes (yellow cherries): 4oz/ 120g - 89p
• Tomatoes (beefsteak): 1lb 5oz/ 600g - £2.10
• Tomatoes (salad): 15oz/ 426g - 84p
• Tomatoes (mixed): 4.5oz/126g - 94p
• Garlic x 1 - 30p
• Parsley x 1/4 bundle - 32p
• Oregano x 1/4 bundle - 20p
• Thyme x 1/4 bundle - 17p
• Par-cel x 1/4 bundle - 32p

27/08/09

• Onions: 6oz/ 175g - 15p

28/08/09

• Tomatoes (beefsteak): 2lb 1.5oz/ 960g - £3.36
• Tomatoes (mixed): 1lb .5oz/ 470g - £3.50
• Tomatoes (yellow cherries): 1.5oz/ 45g - 34p
• Tomatoes (red cherries): 3oz/ 90g - 27p
• Tomatoes (cooking plum): 10oz/ 380g - 34p
• Courgette: 1lb 11oz/ 760g - £1.40

30/08/09

• Tomatoes (beefsteak): 15oz/ 430g - £1.51
• Tomatoes (mixed): 1lb 5oz/ 600g - £4.47
• Tomatoes (red cherries): 3oz/ 95g - 28p
• Tomatoes (yellow cherries): 2.5oz/ 75g - 56p
• Tomatoes (cooking plums): 4.5oz/ 130g - 11p
• Runner beans: 6oz/ 75g - 38p
• French beans: 1.5oz/ 40g - 17p
• Onion tops (to be used as spring onions): 12oz/ 130g - 82p
• Perpetual spinach: 1lb 14oz/ 850g - £3.34
• Garlic x 1 - 30p

31/08/09

• Scotch bonnet x 1 - 10p
• Vietnamese coriander x 1/4 bundle - 32p
• Onion x 1 - 15p

Total not spent in the supermarket this month is £118.88. That is £77.64 more than last month. The foraged foods and my tomato glut has certainly helped to increase the savings this month.