Like any gardener, I have a weakness for seeds (and yes, plants and tools too, but let’s focus on one obsession at a time). While I dutifully try to plan ahead each December, making detailed lists of what I need, the siren song of seed displays proves irresistible. Whether at garden centers, hardware stores, or even grocery checkouts, those colorful packets seem to leap into my shopping basket.
To keep myself accountable – and to track the fascinating evolution of seed prices and what I spend over the years – I’ve started a detailed tracking system in my garden journal. I record each purchase with its store, date, varieties, and total price, all tagged as ‘seed’ for easy reference.
The list below captures my seed-buying journey. Will seeing these numbers in black and white help curb my enthusiasm? Maybe. But at least I’ll know exactly how much my veggie and container gardens cost from year to year, and can make smarter choices about when and where to buy my favorite varieties.