Grass vs Plants

Spent half the day trying to add up all the money and time I have spent in the garden.  I wish I had thought of this idea before and made a diary. 

I have only made rough calculations so far, but it seems that I have spent less money on the lawn, but more time maintaining it.  The initial financial outlay for the rest of the garden is considerably higher, but once the ground work has been done, I just stood back and watched them grow!

I don't want to form any conclusions yet, but if I am spending more time on the lawn, just to have something to look at, than on the food producing areas, then it maintaining the lawn does seem to be a wasted effort. 

This experiment has also thrown up some unexpected surprises - I have saved around £20 a week in food and petrol, because I have not had to drive to the supermarket as much, simply because if I want fruit and veg, I just go out in the garden and collect. 

I have also discovered that I hate looking after the lawn.  I have tried to do the right thing with the mower, by purchasing a manual one and stop using the electric one.  I have saved on my power bill, but the lawn is in a bit of a state.  To keep it watered and green takes so much effort that could be used elsewhere. I would not mind, but compared to my neighbours, it does not look as good as it could. 

I am now seriously thinking of reducing the lawn somehow, it just is not worth it - but I will, before I get ahead of myself, finish my calculations - - tomorrow!