Growing your own food can be a deeply rewarding experience, offering fresh, healthy produce right outside your door while also providing the satisfaction of self-sufficiency. However, one of the most common questions new gardeners face is: *How much should I plant to feed myself or my family for the year?* It’s not an easy question to answer, as the amount varies based on factors like the types of crops, climate, space available, and personal eating habits.
In this blog post, we’ll provide a general guideline for how much to plant per person in your garden to feed yourself throughout the growing season—and beyond.
Factors to Consider
Before we dive into the specifics of how much to plant, it’s important to understand the factors that can affect your garden’s yield and your overall food needs:
1. Your Diet and Preferences
The most important consideration is your diet. How many vegetables do you eat each week? Do you rely heavily on vegetables, or are you more of a fruit and protein eater? This will help you estimate how much of each type of food to grow. For example, if you love salads, you may need more leafy greens than someone who prefers root vegetables or tomatoes.
2. Growing Season
Your growing season, or the length of time between the last frost in spring and the first frost in fall, will play a huge role in how much you can grow. A longer growing season allows for more harvests, while a shorter season may require you to grow early- or late-season crops that are frost-hardy or can be harvested quickly.
3. Crop Yield and Space
The space you have available and the productivity of the crops you choose will directly impact how much food you can grow. High-yielding crops like tomatoes, beans, and zucchini can provide large quantities of food in a relatively small space, while more space may be needed for crops like potatoes or corn. Additionally, some crops, like peas or lettuce, can be grown multiple times in a season, helping maximize production.
4. Storage and Preservation
The amount of food you need to plant also depends on how much you plan to preserve. Will you can, freeze, or dry your harvests to stretch your food supply through the winter? Crops like tomatoes, beans, and root vegetables are ideal for preserving, while fresh greens like lettuce and spinach have a shorter shelf life.
General Guidelines for Planting Per Person
Vegetables
Here’s a rough breakdown of how much you should plant per person for the most common garden vegetables:
1. Leafy Greens (Spinach, Lettuce, Kale, Swiss Chard)
Leafy greens are a staple in many gardens, especially for people who love fresh salads. These crops tend to have a quick turnover, meaning you can harvest multiple times during the growing season.
– How much to plant: For one person, plant about 10-12 feet of row space, or roughly 2-3 square feet for lettuce, spinach, or Swiss chard. If you’re growing kale or other more robust greens, you might need 4-5 plants per person.
– Why: Greens are fast-growing and can be harvested multiple times during the season, especially when you practice “cut-and-come-again” harvesting, where you remove the outer leaves and leave the inner ones to continue growing.
2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the most popular garden crops and for good reason. They are versatile in the kitchen and come in many varieties—perfect for fresh eating, canning, and making sauces.
– How much to plant: One person typically needs about 4-6 plants per year to provide a good supply of fresh tomatoes. If you plan to can or freeze tomatoes for the winter, you may want to plant up to 10-12 plants per person, depending on your consumption.
– Why: Tomatoes are space-intensive, but they yield a large amount of fruit throughout the growing season. By planting early and late varieties, you can extend your harvest.
3. Root Vegetables (Carrots, Beets, Radishes, Turnips)
Root vegetables are a hearty, nutrient-dense food that stores well in the ground (especially carrots and beets) or in cool storage after harvesting.
– How much to plant: For carrots or beets, plant about 10-12 feet of row space per person. For smaller root crops like radishes, you’ll need about 5-6 feet per person.
– Why: Root crops are excellent for storage and can be eaten over an extended period. If you harvest them as needed throughout the season, you’ll have a continual supply.
4. Beans (Pole or Bush)
Beans are not only a great source of protein, but they also help enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen. They can be grown vertically on trellises, saving space in your garden.
– How much to plant: For dried beans (such as kidney beans or black beans), plant about 20-25 feet of row space per person. For fresh beans (like green beans or snap beans), plant about 10-12 feet of row space per person.
– Why: Beans produce high yields and are incredibly versatile in cooking. They can be harvested fresh in the summer or dried for storage.
5. Peas
Peas are another great protein source, and like beans, they can be grown vertically, which is great for small spaces.
– How much to plant: For one person, plant about 10-12 feet of row space, or 4-5 square feet.
– Why: Peas are cool-season crops and can be planted early in the spring, often ready for harvest in about 60 days. You can grow multiple crops in a season if the weather permits.
6. Squash and Melons
Zucchini and summer squash are high-yielding crops that provide a lot of food in a small space, making them a garden favorite.
– How much to plant: Plant about 2-3 zucchini plants per person. If you’re growing winter squash (such as butternut or acorn), plant 3-4 plants per person. Plant 1-2 melon plants per person.
– Why: These crops are incredibly productive and will produce fruit consistently throughout the summer. Squash can also be stored for long periods in a cool, dry place.
7. Potatoes
Potatoes are a staple food and can be stored for several months if harvested and kept in proper conditions.
– How much to plant: For one person, plant about 10-15 seed potatoes, which will typically yield around 20-30 pounds of potatoes. You may want to plant more if potatoes are a large part of your diet.
– Why: Potatoes are relatively low-maintenance and can be stored in a cool, dark place for months, helping to feed you throughout the winter.
8. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are refreshing and versatile, whether they’re eaten fresh or used in pickling.
– How much to plant: Plant 2-3 cucumber plants per person.
– Why: Cucumbers are high-yielding but have a shorter harvesting window. They grow quickly, and you can grow them vertically to save space.
Herbs
Herbs are a wonderful addition to any garden, adding fresh flavor to your meals and often requiring minimal space.
– How much to plant: For one person, plant about 3-4 varieties of herbs, such as basil, cilantro, parsley, and thyme. Depending on your herb preferences, this can be adjusted.
– Why: Herbs can be harvested frequently, and many varieties grow back even after being cut back. They also grow well in containers or smaller spaces.
Fruit
Growing fruit trees or bushes can supplement your diet, providing fresh fruit throughout the season and in many cases, a source of food storage for winter.
– How much to plant: For one person, 1-2 fruit trees (apple, pear, or peach) and a few bushes (blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries) should be sufficient.
– Why: Fruit trees take a few years to mature, but they can produce a large amount of food once established, often with minimal effort.
While every garden is unique and requires a bit of planning, these general guidelines can help you estimate how much food to plant per person for the year. Keep in mind that growing your own food is not only about the quantity, but also about variety. Some crops are great for preserving, while others are best enjoyed fresh. As you gain more gardening experience, you’ll learn to adapt these guidelines to your specific needs and preferences, ensuring that you grow enough food to nourish yourself throughout the year.
Happy gardening!