Having a home garden, a few raised beds, or even just a single potted vegetable plant can be a rewarding hobby with many benefits. However, as the number at the bottom of your grocery receipt continues to grow you may be wondering if one of those benefits includes offsetting rising produce costs.
For the first harvest, a home garden is likely to break even or cost more than the equivalent of what it will produce. Consecutive harvests are likely to have a positive ROI, with modest gardens having the potential to grow $100s or $1,000s in produce more than they cost to maintain after the initial setup.
| 1st Harvest 2ft x 2ft | 1st Harvest 4ft x 8ft | Consecutive Harvest 2ft x 2ft | Consecutive Harvest 4ft x 8ft | Lbs per Plant | Cost/lb | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $(14.52) | $(53.05) | $25.48 | $203.06 | ||
| Peas | $60.81 | $549.57 | $100.81 | $805.68 | .19 | $4.50 |
| Eggplants | $8.17 | $128.45 | $48.17 | $384.56 | 8 | $1.70 |
| Strawberries | $4.89 | $102.21 | $44.89 | $358.32 | 0.9 | $3.80 |
| Shishito Peppers | $3.77 | $93.25 | $43.77 | $349.36 | 2.5 | $5.00 |
| Cucumbers | $(6.23) | $13.25 | $33.77 | $269.36 | 5 | $2.00 |
| Watermelons | $(9.43) | $(12.35) | $30.57 | $243.76 | 60 | $0.30 |
| Bell Peppers | $(10.35) | $(19.71) | $29.65 | $236.40 | 3.6 | $2.45 |
| Tomatoes | $(10.83) | $(23.55) | $29.17 | $232.56 | 15 | $2.30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | $(15.27) | $(59.07) | $24.73 | $197.04 | 3 | $2.50 |
| Jalapeno Peppers | $(15.97) | $(64.61) | $24.03 | $191.50 | 3 | $2.45 |
| Garlic | $(18.39) | $(84.03) | $21.61 | $172.08 | .08 | $10.00 |
| Cantaloupe | $(21.43) | $(108.35) | $18.57 | $147.76 | 12 | $1.00 |
| Onions | $(21.99) | $(112.83) | $18.01 | $143.28 | .5 | $1.40 |
| Beans | $(25.23) | $(138.75) | $14.77 | $117.36 | .5 | $1.70 |
| Butternut Squash | $(25.83) | $(143.55) | $14.17 | $112.56 | 15 | $1.30 |
| Zucchini | $(27.63) | $(157.95) | $12.37 | $98.16 | 6 | $1.50 |
| Potatoes | $(32.23) | $(194.75) | $7.77 | $61.36 | 3.5 | $1.00 |
| Carrots | $(32.74) | $(198.84) | $7.26 | $57.27 | .2 | $1.06 |
| Lettuce | $(34.07) | $(209.47) | $5.93 | $46.64 | .2 | $3.50 |
| Cabbages | $(34.63) | $(213.95) | $5.37 | $42.16 | 3 | $0.90 |
| Broccoli | $(34.87) | $(215.87) | $5.13 | $40.24 | 1.3 | $2.00 |
| Sweet Potatoes | $(38.23) | $(242.75) | $1.77 | $13.36 | 2 | $1.00 |
While produce prices can change significantly based on your location, it is clear that crop selection is one of the biggest factors in how cost efficient your garden will be for you personally. It is also important to know the other costs and benefits that are not as obvious when trying to determine if taking on this hobby is worth it for you.
Another factor in whether a home garden is worth it is if it is successful. Read more on how (and when) to successfully start a home garden here.
What Garden Plants are the Most Cost Effective and Will Likely ‘Save’ You Money?
Peas
Even in a single season, peas are likely to more than offset any initial set up costs. A harvest of a single square foot could potentially save you $10s, maybe even more than $100 depending on your setup.
Peas take up very little room. In fact, using intensive spacing for raised garden beds, you can fit up to 36 plants in a single square foot. In a 4×4 space, this could produce over 100 lbs of peas!
The price per pound used here is possibly quite conservative. While it is unlikely you will grow a pea worth $350/lb, like the Spanish farm Aroa, if you grow various snap or snow peas you could potentially more than double the price per pound referenced here, depending on what is available in your location.
Eggplant
Eggplants do not take a ton of space and produce a fair amount in terms of pounds per plant. If your family likes eggplant and you only plant enough per person (~2 plants per person) you are likely to save $100s, depending on variety and local prices.
Strawberries
Strawberries are another crop likely to keep you in the green even in your first harvest when it comes to cost effectiveness.
This is based on planting 4 per sqft, which admittedly seems a little tight, but is defended by many other gardeners. Another thing to keep in mind is that strawberries are perennials, although they can also be planted as an annual crop. While I won’t get into all of the pros and cons here, if grown as a perennial you should consider that they will occupy garden square footage year around.
Various Peppers
In general, pepper plants produce less pounds per plant than eggplants while occupying a similar space, but usually fetch a higher price per pound (generally, many more peppers than eggplants based on size). Here, shishito peppers have a similar cost effectiveness to eggplants and strawberries, with the arguably more popular bell and jalapeno peppers being less cost effective (similar to Tomatoes).
I am confident, if you are a pepper lover, you can find pepper plants not spoken about in this article that are highly cost effective. Find more information on the cost effectiveness of growing your own peppers here.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are in the break even range of the first harvest, but can save you 100s in recurring harvests. These are a personal favorite, and one that is popular in my area.
Watermelon
Watermelon plants are in a similar category as cucumbers here (also popular in my area). You are likely to break even with the first harvest and save $100s if you dedicate the space ($10s if you are just growing a few).
These have many varieties that require different amounts of space and produce significantly different amounts of fruit at different weights. Thus, the cost effectiveness can have a large range based on the variety you choose to grow.
To learn more about the cost effectiveness of watermelons specifically check out the article here.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants to have in a home garden. They also come in various varieties that can significantly change the cost effectiveness as estimated here. Based on these numbers, tomatoes are likely in the break even range on the first harvest, but just a few plants are likely to get you into the $100 range when it comes to savings.
I expect the estimates here for tomatoes are quite conservative. It is likely you will choose to grow a variety that is considerably more cost effective; such as a cherry or heirloom variety which are more expensive per pound or a variety that has been ‘designed’ to produce a higher yield than what is listed here.
You can read more about the cost effectiveness of growing tomatoes here.
What Garden Plants are the Least Cost Effective and You Should Consider Buying?
Something to keep in mind with the plants listed below, with the exception of sweet potatoes, these can be planted for both a fall and a spring crop. Meaning you could get two harvests a year or grow them in the fall when other crops are out of season.
Sweet Potatoes
They have a long growing period and take up a fair amount of space per plant. Unless you are growing a variety that is hard to get in your area it is likely you can buy these cheaper than grow them and save the time and space for more cost effective options.
For more information on sweet potatoes, see the article specifically about potatoes here.
Broccoli
Broccoli will probably cost you more than you would spend at the store for your first harvest. With that said, as long as you are planting more than one plant, you are likely to still break even, or even come out ahead (or at least afloret).
Cabbage
Cabbage is very similar to Broccoli when it comes to cost effectiveness per harvest.
Lettuce
On average, lettuce doesn’t seem very cost effective when compared to many other crops. Like Broccoli and Cabbage, even at these estimates, you are likely to cover your costs in recurring harvests and even produce more than you spend.
Lettuce, like many crops, has many varieties. Some varieties cost less per pound, some cost considerably more. If you are growing lettuce and cost effectiveness is important, aim for a variety that is either more expensive, or that is hard to get in your area.
On a personal note, I love having lettuce growing at almost all times for a fresh lunch salad. In actuality, you can get several harvest a year of leaf lettuce, and it is a great crop to grow inside as well (It is probably the easiest crop to grow in an indoor hydroponic system).
You can read more about the cost effectiveness of growing lettuce here.
Costs of Having a Home Garden
Obvious Costs
Growing container
Acquiring somewhere to grow can be one of the most expensive setup costs of a home garden. In-ground gardens need prep and likely soil amendments. They also usually require more annual maintenance in the terms of weeding, tilling etc. This is why raised beds have become so popular. Raised beds can cost 100s -1000s depending on the material chosen (although you can get large pre-build beds delivered right to your door, assembly required, for an amount closer to $100 ).
Soil
Any raised bed, or container, will also need the appropriate soil/compost/manure/fertilizer etc. The filling of a new raised bed can be a significant cost and may even rival the price tag of the container itself. However, there are also many methods to fill a raised bed using various other materials (wood chips, logs, compost, leaves etc) that can save you money in this regard and you should find the one that is right for you.
I suggest you do a little research before throwing everything into your raised beds. Different materials have their pros and cons, some of which are significant enough for serious consideration. For example, you may want to consider the termite risk if you have a bed next to your home and are considering burying logs. Some methods for filling a raised bed include: core gardening, Hugelkultur, Ruth stout, Lasagna, and buying soil in bulk.
You will also want to top off your raised beds before planting each new crop. This cost is likely to be a fraction of what it was to initially fill it.
Tools
You will likely need some tools for maintaining your garden. It is likely you will want gloves, a small shovel, a water hose/watering container, etc. Depending on your crop, you may want tomato cages or trellises. You may also find that other tools, such as water timers, a wheelbarrow, seed starting equipment etc., make the experience easier or more enjoyable.
Hidden Costs
Time
That’s right, a home garden can take a significant amount of time to plan and tend to. This can grow with the variety and size of your garden. If you enjoy your new hobby, this won’t feel like a cost, but your time is worth something. Considering your per hour cost here will cut into your profit per crop calculations significantly.
Pest Control
The first time many gardeners think about pest control is when they have pests. In some cases, this can take your cost effective crop that is going to save you $100s and turn it into a small, or nonexistent, harvest that actually costs you $100s!
Some of these situations have been particularly frustrating, but others have been some of the most rewarding/interesting/enjoyable for me as I have learned to further protect my plants.
Water
While it may seem like a no-brainer that plants need water, it is easy to forget that this usually isn’t completely free. The good news is, this is probably not a significant cost, but for bigger gardens it isn’t zero either. This is likely to be on the scale of $10s on medium/larger home gardens over the course of 6 months.
Other Benefits of Having a Home Garden That are Harder to Measure
Variety
When you have your own home garden, you can grow the variety or plant that you like, or that is less available in your area. In fact, choosing a variety of a plant that results in a produce that is not easily available in your area is likely the most cost effective for you. You may even get more enjoyment from growing something more ‘rare’ to you. Heirloom tomatoes, purple sweet potatoes, or those peppers the local farmer’s market never seems to have are all very rewarding choices.
Knowledge of How Organic Your Food Is
When you maintain your own garden, you know exactly what, if any, chemicals have been used to grow the food landing on your table.
Enjoyment
In my personal opinion, this should be the biggest driver on whether you choose to take this on as a new hobby. There is something here for various types: problem solvers, utilitarians, environmentalists, etc. There can also be an enjoyment in sharing both the experience, or the results, with others. As a bonus, if you enjoy it, you are more likely to increase your crop yield by addressing the factors within your control.
Perspective/Respect
With grocery stores conveniently located and supply chains being relatively uninterrupted, it is easy to forget or never really know what it takes to get produce on the end of your fork. There is a unique perspective gained in seeing where produce comes from and how much work goes into growing it. There is also a bit of magic in watching a seed become a plant, watching that plant flower, and then produce something that can sustain life.
What Was Considered in These Estimates?
The average costs of a raised bed or other container, and the cost to fill that bed (or container) were both considered in these estimates. For a 4×8 raised bed, this is ~$271. I have included a soil/bed top off cost for consecutive harvests, this is ~$40 for the same 4×8 bed.
There is a misc. tool cost of ~$25 included. I included the recurring cost of water per 6 months, which is negligible in most estimates.
Seed/slip costs are also included, which again is negligible in most cases, but can become significant in larger gardens. Seed saving can reduce these costs to near $0 and very rare varieties could cost significantly more.
I estimated the price per pound using various references. In cases where it was possible I tried to weigh official sources of information more heavily such as statistics from the US Labor and Statistics site. However, in many cases this was not available and the estimates are a combination of various sources of information and prices on various grocery store sites. It is possible your local prices are significantly different. It is also possible that these prices can change drastically whether you’re growing a cherry tomato or a special heirloom tomato for example. I did not specifically seek out the organic options, which may have caused me to underestimate some prices.
‘Pounds produced per plant’ estimates were calculated in a relatively similar manner to how ‘price per pound’ figures were calculated and can vary for many of the same reasons.
Finally, I only included 22 common garden plants, this certainly leaves the door open to many plants that are more cost effective than the ones listed here.
Disclaimer: Nothing written here is meant to imply a guarantee or to provide financial advice. It is possible your entire crop fails or that your experience results that are different from the estimates provided here. Please do your own additional research before pursuing anything as a financial investment.