2026 - The Garden Balance Sheet

A thread to record what you've spent on gardening and the value of the crops you've grown in 2026. 
There are no rules, do it in anyway that works for you. 
Its not a competition, just a way to get an idea of how much you spend on seeds, compost, plants, sundries and structures compared to the value of the food or other crops that your garden gives you in return. 
Feel free to share the ways in which you are measuring the costs and benefits. All the more ideas the better. 
I suggest we post our Balance Sheet at the end of each month to keep an eye on it!

The 2025 thread  https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2259
The 2024 thread - https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.p...ance+sheet

I hope (with encouragement) to partake in this during 2026. It m8ght be embarrassing how much I spend though.

I have a new take on this for 2026. Not expecting anyone else to do it.
I'm going to spend any FREE money that I acquire, on seeds and plants without feeling guilty about it!
So far, I have the £10 "profit" from last year's balance sheet and the £10 Christmas Bonus from the government.
I've also "won" a RHS Gift membership. Since I'm already a member of the RHS, I'm going to Cancel my existing membership (£80) and use the Gift one instead.
So my Garden Kitty starts the year with £100.

I do something similar. Funds from my plant / flower sales on the barrow go on the garden. Funds from crochet sales on barrow go on firstly replacing wool, stuffing, safety eyes, keyrings etc. secondly anything left goes on mostly things for the house and a bit for garden. Any tips from work also goes towards things for the house & garden. I must write my wish list for this year’s takings . Last year I successfully earned enough for my hot bin composter

Wonderful ideas, both of you. No earnings here to enable me to join in, except perhaps savings on YS stuff or maybe a swear box, now that would elicit thousands! Especially if I forced P to pay for each swear word. Probably neither are going to happen, it's all I can do to get the garden balance on track, let alone any other scheme.

I misread your post Veggie missing out the ',' in "FREE money that I acquire, on seeds and plants ...". I thought you were counting your saved seeds towards your free money - which may be you could? I thought you might be going to spend it on other things, like cake and chocolates especially as you used the word guilty.

Don't tempt me to swap seeds for cakes & chocolates. Its a close thing which one would win!!