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Part VI · Monitor and beyond Hydroponic garden · hobbyist Français

Part VI · Monitor and beyond

Productivity and Profitability: Define Before You Promise

Intermediate 5 min read · published · by the team
COST / KG · TIME / KG · LOSSES

Functional diagram, not to scale.

Three indicators are enough for a household: cost avoided, quantity actually eaten, time spent.

“Profitable” has to be defined. A head of lettuce that is grown but thrown away has no profitability at all.

IndicatorCalculationWhat to record
Cost per kg harvested(consumables + electricity + depreciation) / kgWeight harvested
Cost per useful plantcosts / plants actually eatenLosses included
Water per kgliters added / kg harvestedVolumes added
Time per kgminutes of upkeep / kgWeekly log
Loss rateplants lost / plants transplantedCauses of loss

Crops with high use value

Fresh herbs and baby greens are often the most worthwhile: bought in small quantities, they keep poorly and can be harvested as needed.

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