Thursday, October 28, 2010

Return on Investment - incredible!

What Does Return On Investment - ROI Mean?
A performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment or to compare the efficiency of a number of different investments. To calculate ROI, the benefit (return) of an investment is divided by the cost of the investment; the result is expressed as a percentage or a ratio.

(Benefit of investment) immeasurable delight
(Cost of investment) $1.67 plus tax

These zinnias, grown from Ferry-Morse "Zinnia, State Fair, Giant, Mixed Colors" seeds,  have given me, the bees, and the butterflies immeasurable delight all season. I think this investment will continue to yield high returns as the zinnias are already self-seeding.

Unlike zinnias purchased as plants from the garden center, these have so many different happy faces!  (Unfortunately, they also have powdery mildew - but I overlook that as I enjoy the blooms!)

In the picture below, the zinnias are on the right - just to give you an idea of their height.
What kind of return are you getting on your garden investments?  I'm sure they are just as incredible as mine!

11 comments:

Daricia said...

i do so agree with you about zinnias, or any packet of seeds really. i always marvel at nasturtiums and basil, too - just one plant of either one is enough to harvest all summer long and into the fall. they taste good, look great, and there are lots of varieties of both.

Kate @ Gardening and Gardens said...

Your seeds have served you well! The zinnias do look lovely. Sadly, I usually steer clear of them because of the powdery mildew.

sweetbay said...

I always take seeds and cuttings of plants, as insurance against the inevitable losses. Zinnias are great garden plants aren't they? They remind me of dahlias, only they bloom longer and are less picky. And butterflies love them. I especially like that last zinna, *yum*.

Gary said...

Hi Ginny,
What an incredible variety of colours you have with your Zinnias. It's all looking very nice indeed, thanks for lightening my day!....Gary

fer said...

Your zinnias look great! The last pink one is my favorite, it looks truly amazing

debsgarden said...

Zinnias always make me smile, although mine also have suffered from powdery mildew from time to time. But the butterflies and bees don't care!

Karen said...

Your zinnias gave you an excellent ROI, and boy are they pretty! I grow most of my annuals from seed and there's nothing better than having an abundance of them to put all over. Love your garden!

Chloe m said...

Beautiful Zinnias!

ROI, just the pleasure of outdoor exercise. It gets me out there.

Casa Mariposa said...

I love zinnias, although my realtionship with mine was a bit complicated this summer. They were demanding divas, in constant need of a drink. But I was so in love, I watered and watered... and was glad!

Corner Gardener Sue said...

What a fun post! Yes, the returns on our investments in our gardens are immeasurable.

I quit growing zinnias for awhile because they got mildew on them, then decided to try again. They do get it, but it doesn't seem to pose a threat to the plants.

I am like you, in enjoying a variety of faces on my blooms.

Rebecca said...

Love the ROI reference!! Zinnias are definitely one of my favorites also! I've tried some of the shorter varieties too, but keep going back to the giant ones... My family, as well as the bees, birds and hummingbirds prefer these also. Thanks for the info and beautiful photos :)