From

Location

Message

Date Posted

[email protected]

If this post breaches the "too nosey to reply" barrier I'm sorry. I do this for a living & can't help people unless I know these things. Though since this is a hobby for almost everyone here, this subject may be too personal & I will understand if folks say MYOB. LOL

Perhaps more of a winter post but I'll throw it out there anyway. The subject of budgeting AG production has arrived. In the land where Heritage/Quadris fungicide is sold by Agency Agreement at $375.00 per pound wholesale, economics is a worthy consideration. Everyone I know has a budget.

What are we spending per 1000 square feet of patch per season to produce our Pumpkins?

I'm working on a fertility & pest control program based on this years experiences that is far from complete. Good cost data will help me determine where to draw lines.

Thanks,

Steve

8/24/2003 8:17:55 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Steve,
I ballparked about $200 per 1000 sq ft. But I spent quite a bit on big ticket items that won't need replacing for 10+ years.

Aside from those, fungicide, pesticide, soil amendments,(which didn't fix much!) and plumbing supplies were my expenses.

Probably doesn't help much but thought I'd throw it out anyway.

8/24/2003 10:02:42 AM

Oz

should i add a broken rib and broken tractor to the $$#S ?
what about the free iraq gas surcharge?? patch is 2 hour drive.

8/24/2003 10:31:47 AM

Montoursville, PA

I spent about four hundred, per 1000 sq. ft. two plants, in organic builders and pro-rated over five years $40.00 on synthetic chemicals some of which I did not use. This was a start up year. The average should more likely be $240.00 based on this years use. That is about $50.00 a month all
fertilization, soil amendments and pest control. The cost goes down for me as the patch will need less rebuilding as the already healthy patch continues to improve. I did not include shipping costs which ups the costs as much as a third depending on the purchase.

8/24/2003 10:34:12 AM

Rexburg, Idaho ([email protected] )

I really don't want to know because then I would feel guilty about spending soooo much. Do I get to calulate my time at minimum wage as well.

8/24/2003 12:37:43 PM

[email protected]

Good one Brian. It scares me too. I was initially only thinking about fertilizers & pesticides. But all things should be included. Electricity, gasoline, outdoor lighting, security epenses, traps, water, tarps, clips, bungee cords, books, soil test & other lab fees, hand & power tools, vine training implements, Manure & other soil amendmants. This hobby can get pricey. Stamps & Bubble envelopes, auction fees, long distance phone bills, patch tour expenses, tolls, hotel fees, & other travel related expenses. Oh boy. Can't forget local internet access fees. LOL

McP. I only buy fuel from Citgo now because most of their's is of North American origin. Hess is too. Might want to check this out with your fuel retailer. I can't see paying the Persian Gulf Scum if we can avoid it. I avoid Mobil/Exxon & Shell like the plague.

Sure, I'd say yes to broken tractors. But unless the AG's broke your ribs by sucker punching you or something I'd say that probably doesn't count.

Dawine & Kyle, I agree. I have initial start up costs as well. I suppose we'd divide these by the items reaslistic life expectancy. Likely my new greenhouse frame should last 10 years though the cover will need replacing in 3 years.

Likewise chemicals I already owned are now worth their replacement cost & not what I paid for them. Those bought this year are in almost no case finished being used.

I just knew this was going to be painful. (smiling)

8/24/2003 1:11:09 PM

Long Island,New York

Psychiatric bills count?

8/24/2003 2:17:54 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

all the other stuff counts too? ;0)

OK...my bill just went to about $250-$275 per 1000 sq. ft, and I did 10,000 sq. ft. this year. All in the name of genetic seed crosses..they best produce biggies in the coming years!

8/24/2003 2:30:46 PM

derry n.h u.s.a.

Hmmm?
Daclinol=2 containers 32.00 Copper=1 container 12.00
Caption=1/2 container 10.00
other fungies&sprays 70.00 roto upkeep = 10.00
electric bill 20.00
soaker hose replacement 20.00 yearly
pvc for hoops and shade 20.00
totol 347.00
tarps&duct tape &zip ties25.00

spring set up
manure 50.00
triple 19 10.00
bone meal 10.00
gypsum 15.00
bloodmeal 12.00
lime 9.00
4" peat cups 5.00
starter soil 10.00
labeling sticks 2.00
gas for tiller 5.00

8/24/2003 2:44:06 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Well lets see one pumpkin 150 Sqf of vine in the yard = 1 new Laminate Kitchen Floor.
I figure a whole house for the Patch. Thats not even feeding the pumpkins yet. Hauling the manure and leaves. Then we get to figure in the drip system, and chemicals, and a large hoophouse. Mininum wage as well, for time spent in the Patch.
I still think with all the above, we could still spend more and it would be worth it. Ever had like a three year old kid hug your pumpkin like it was Mickey Mouse. Then we can talk about the smile it brings to a older persons face.

8/24/2003 2:47:02 PM

Key West, FL

I'm sure if we didn't spend it on pumpkins we would spend it on other hobbies or sports.

8/24/2003 2:57:52 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

In my patch, which is 3000 sq ft, I spent this year more or less $500 including everything I put in the patch. If I have to include the irrigation system, fence, breakwinds shade structures, tools, etc it would be a little more than 1000, but that stuff will remain in the patch for next years.

8/24/2003 3:18:57 PM

Puyallup, WA

Carlos...you didn't count the horse!! :>)

8/24/2003 4:02:13 PM

Oz

the horse delivers ferts for free!lol

8/24/2003 4:22:07 PM

Ontario

Getting that personal best.......Priceless!

8/24/2003 7:12:47 PM

Sloughhouse, CA

Just setting up the shade, misting and watering sysem was close to $900 this yr. That's not counting fert, fungicide etc. but I'm having fun. I could be going to Tahoe.

8/24/2003 7:15:38 PM

[email protected]

I just humbled myself by performing this exercise in Word.
Let's see it it can be copied over.

2003 Pumpkin Expenses

Consumable things I already had & used:

Scimitar Quart…………..$88.00….$2.75/oz…..times 2 oz…..………….$5.50
Astro Quart……………..$27.50….$.86/oz…times 2 oz…………………$1.72
Capture Quart……………$40.00….$1.25/oz times 3 oz………………..$3.75
Bolster Concentrated Seaweed Extract 2.5 gals…..$110.00 used 1 quart $11.00
Neptunes Harvest Fish/Seaweed……$ unkown gift…4.at..$10.00?……..$40.00
Eagle Fungicide 12 oz envelope…..$47.00….$3.75…used 2 oz………...$7.50
Banner Maxx Pint……$28.70..$1.79/oz…used ½ oz……………………$.90
Mancozeb DG…Old Stock odd size…$3.85/Lb…..used 8 oz…………...$1.93
Manicure Flowable (Daconil) 2.5 gal….$165.63…$.52/oz….used 1 oz…$.52

doesn't look good, but let's try

8/24/2003 9:01:33 PM

[email protected]

Not too bad. Her's the rest.

Durable things I already had:

Kubota Tiller…free…worth $1500 new divided by 15 years…………….$100.00
4 Hunter PS-04 Sprinkler Heads..$2.60 each……………………………..$10.40
4 used fence posts………….free…………………………………………$0.00

Consumable things bought new for this year:

0-0-25 Green-Flo Liquid Potash 2.5 gals..$25.00…$1.00/Gl used 1 gal…$1.00
0-0-28 Sulfate of Potash Granular 50 Lbs…$25.00..used 7 oz…………..$.25
4-6-4 Sustane…50 Lbs……$13.88….used 25 lbs……………………….$6.94
16-32-16 Macron 25 Lbs…$20.00…..used 1 Lb…………………………$.80
5-50-10 Bloom Buster 1 Lb $6.95 (I hate Home Depot) used half……….$3.50
Promax Bio Innoculant…$79.00 for 4 packs…used 1 pack……………..$19.75
High Calcium Lime 50 Lbs….$3.85…..used 3 bags…………………….$11.55
Nutri-Cal Chelated Calcium 2.5 gals…$69.35 or $.54/oz…used 12 oz…$6.50
Hawkeye Organo Silicone Surfactant Quart $34.00…..used 3 oz……….$1.18
Peat Moss 5.5 cu. ft. Bales….$8.00…..15 used………………………….$120.00
Cow Manure Bagged……2 pallets from a fried..about $75.00/pallet……$150.00
7 year old aged Horse Manure…….2 pick-up’s full….free………………$0.00
Water & Sewer use fees adjusted….approximate…wet year……….……$17.00
Electric……………R

8/24/2003 9:03:02 PM

[email protected]

Durable things bought or built that will last:

Melnor Irrigation Controller…………$49.95….5 Years?…………….$10.00
Various fittings, hoses & clamps……………………………………….$25.00
Greenhouse Frame……………hand built from scratch……..…………$288.00
Greenhouse cover….free gift worth $300….3 Years life………………$100.00
Ventilator fan…..$129.00………5+ years……………………………..$26.00
Thermostat……..$45.00…………5+ Years……………………………$9.00
Lighting for greenhouse……$89.00 gift….5 years…………………….$17.80
Silt Fence 100 feet…..$20.00…………………………………………..$20.00
Shade Tarps 6’ x 8’ $3.88 each……………4 used…………………$15.52
Misc clips, bungees, etc………………………………………………...$30.00

Seeds at Auction & Postage, Bubbles, etc
1096 Glasier not planted this year……one group of three for………..$50.00
Bubble packs…………………………….about………………………$5.00
Postage………………………………………..about……………...….$10.00

8/24/2003 9:03:45 PM

[email protected]

Misc Seed Starting supplies...........about.....$35.00
Approximate Total...............$1073.00

Still need 2 $85.00 electric heaters for the greenhouse which has little to do with pumpkins unless I keep a clone going this winter as has been my plan of late.

When all is said & done, next year will cost a bit less thanks to the investments made this year. And it's much cheaper to do this than Golfing or Boating & the Mrs doesn't give me much grief about them. LOL

Steve

8/24/2003 9:11:28 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

I'm in a slightly different boat. I have an acre of assorted pumpkins which includes about 3,300 sq ft. for my Giant patch. I can buy in bulk to to reduce costs on certain items(not always). I bought 2 years ago a John Deere 2010 for $5,000, Six ft wide tiller $1,200 for this pumpkin hobby. Yearly annual costs are slightly higher since I also laid out drip tape and plumbing this year.

My wife knows I spend money on this hobby that we do not have, but her knowing where I am(patch or BP.com) is priceless....Tom

8/24/2003 9:22:47 PM

Sequim, WA

I haven't dealt with this one yet personally, but I hear divorce lawyers are expensive..........Hears one I heard not long ago; Why does a divorce cost so much?

Because it's worth it. rather spend it on the patch

8/24/2003 11:39:53 PM

Deer Park, WI

1 plant (750 sq ft)

Miracle Grow- $7.50
Fish/Seaweed- $15
Banner- $10
Daconil $4
Gas(tiller, etc) $10

Since im already a fairly established gardner, i can keep costs pretty low. Total per plant this year is about $50.00

8/25/2003 9:50:28 AM