After taking into account the cost of time and effort tending plants, it's almost always cheaper (dollars per pound) to buy food. Still, I'm an avid gardener b

After taking into account the cost of time and effort tending plants, it's almost always cheaper (dollars per pound) to buy food. Still, I'm an avid gardener because of the other benefits besides cost. 1. Better taste. A tomato out of the garden is almost a different fruit (vegetable?) than one from the store. 2. Personal satisfaction. There is just something rewarding about tending to a plant and enjoying the fruit after the work. 3. Aesthetics. I have a lemon and a grapefruit tree I keep indoors. They look and smell nice. The fruit is just an added bonus.