GardeningGrowing PlantsHomesteading

How Much to Plant Per Person for a Year

Written by

Growing your own food is a big part of homesteading (where people focus on being self-sufficient by growing food, raising animals, and doing things at home).

But to make it work, you need to know how much to plant for your family’s needs. You don’t want to end up with too little or way too much.

For example, if your family eats a lot of tomatoes, planting just a couple of plants probably won’t be enough.

When planning your garden for a full year’s worth of food, one of the most important considerations is knowing how much to plant per person. Starting with the basics like how to start a garden can set you up for success.

On the other hand, growing too much of something you don’t eat often, like zucchini or radishes, can lead to waste.

In this article, I will guide you on what to think about and how to plan for the right amount of food, so you can make the most of your garden.

Things to Consider Before You Start Planting

Before you start deciding how much to plant, there are a few things to keep in mind.

These are the kind of details that might not seem important at first but can really affect how much you end up growing and how much you’ll actually use.

How Much Space Do You Have?

The size of your garden is one of the first things to think about. If you only have a couple of raised beds or containers, you’ll need to use every bit of space wisely.

Crops like salad greens, bush beans, or herbs are good choices since they grow quickly and don’t take up much room.

If you have a bigger yard with space for a traditional garden or even a small homestead plot, you can try growing larger crops (like corn, potatoes, or winter squash).

Also, make sure to leave enough space between plants so they stay healthy and don’t compete too much for sunlight and nutrients.

Crowded plants can lead to smaller harvests, so spacing really matters.

What Does Your Family Actually Eat?

This one is important. There’s no point in planting something that no one in your household likes to eat.

If your family loves tomatoes and eats them in salads, sauces, or sandwiches, planting a few extra makes sense.

But if no one in your house touches beets or radishes, there’s no point in planting them. Some gardeners make that mistake and end up giving away half of their garden.

Take a little time to think about your regular meals.

What vegetables, fruits, or herbs show up the most?

If you cook a lot of stir-fries, you might want to grow snap peas, carrots, and broccoli. If your family enjoys fresh salsa, you’ll need tomatoes, peppers, onions, and cilantro.

You don’t have to grow every single ingredient, but planting the main ones can save you money.

Will You Preserve Your Harvest?

This is a big question that can change how much you need to plant. If you’re planning to eat everything fresh, you can grow just enough to pick as needed.

But if you want to can, freeze, or dry your harvest, you’ll need to plant more.

For example, making tomato sauce or salsa for the year takes a lot of tomatoes. Think about how many tomatoes go into just one jar of sauce.

The same goes for crops like cucumbers if you’re making pickles or green beans for freezing.

Preserving your harvest does take extra work, but it’s worth it if you want to enjoy your garden’s produce long after the growing season ends.

What Grows Well Where You Live?

Not all plants grow equally well everywhere, so it’s important to know your local growing conditions.

Your climate, soil, and growing season can all affect what you can plant and how much you’ll get from each crop.

If you live in a cooler climate with a short growing season, crops like spinach, lettuce, and peas might thrive.

But warm-weather plants like okra, melons, or peppers could struggle to produce before the frost hits.

On the other hand, if you live in a hot, sunny area, heat-loving crops like tomatoes, eggplants, and watermelons will probably do really well.

It’s also helpful to know your frost dates (the last frost in spring and the first frost in fall) and your growing zone.

These give you a better idea of how long your plants have to grow. If you’re unsure, local gardening groups or extension offices can be a great resource.

They’re full of people who’ve probably grown the same crops you’re planning to grow.

How Much You Need to Plant for Each Person

Once you’ve thought about your space, your family’s needs, and what grows well where you live, it’s time to figure out how much to plant. 

Every crop is different, so it helps to have a rough idea of how much a single plant produces and how much you’ll need for a year. 

Take note: These numbers can vary a bit depending on your growing conditions and how much your family eats.

CropPlants per PersonEstimated Yield
Beans (Bush)15–20 plantsApprox. 15–20 lbs (depending on the variety and growing conditions).
Beans (Pole)10–15 plantsApprox. 10–15 lbs (better yield than bush beans).
Beets10–15 plants10–15 lbs (great for fresh eating, pickling, or storing).
Broccoli/Cauliflower/Cabbage2–3 plants2–3 heads (typically one main head per plant).
CarrotsAdjust as needed2 lbs per week for 35 weeks = 70 lbs (ideal for root cellar storage).
Corn15 plants15 ears (1 ear per stalk on average).
Cucumber2–3 plants6–9 cucumbers per plant (enough for fresh eating and preserving).
Garlic15 bulbs15 bulbs (or more; garlic stores well and can be used for cooking and livestock).
Head LettuceStaggered planting3 heads per week for 20 weeks = 60 heads (requires staggered planting).
Herbs (Basil, Parsley, etc.)2–3 plants eachContinuous fresh harvest (dried herbs for storage).
Kale/Collard Greens2–3 plantsContinuous fresh harvest (can regrow after cutting).
Melons (Watermelon, Cantaloupe)1–2 plants3–6 melons per plant (variety-dependent).
Onions15 bulbs15 bulbs (or more for dehydrating, freezing, and salsa-making).
Peas20–30 plantsApprox. 10–20 lbs (yields vary by variety).
Peppers2 plants10–20 peppers per plant (suitable for fresh use and preserving).
Potatoes15–20 plants50–75 lbs (with healthy soil and good care).
Pumpkins1–2 plants1 pumpkin per week for 26 weeks = 26 pumpkins.
RadishesStaggered plantingApprox. 100 radishes per person (matures quickly, so you can replant).
Spinach2–3 plantsContinuous harvest (can regrow after cutting; plant early and late season).
Strawberries6–10 plantsApprox. 1–2 lbs per plant (for fresh eating and preserves).
Summer Squash1–2 plants10–20 zucchinis or similar varieties per plant.
Sweet Potatoes5–10 plants25–50 lbs (depending on growing conditions).
Tomatoes5 plantsApprox. 50–70 lbs (ideal for fresh eating, sauces, and canning).
Turnips10–15 plantsApprox. 10–15 lbs (roots and greens are edible).
Winter Squash2–3 plants20–30 lbs (great for long-term storage).

Additional notes:

  • Beets, turnips, and radishes: These grow quickly, so you can plant them 3-4 times a year per person.
  • Spinach, kale, and collard greens: These greens can be picked throughout the season. Plant about 2-3 times per person, especially in spring and fall.
  • Melons and strawberries: These need more space, so plant around 1-2 per person each year for fresh fruit or preserves.
  • Sweet potatoes: These need space and time to grow. About 3-4 plants per person should be enough for the year.

How to Adjust for Your Family or Garden

Every garden is different, and so is every household. 

How much you need to plant for the year will depend on a few things, like how many people are in your family, how much garden space you have, and what your family actually enjoys eating.

1. Consider Your Family's Eating Habits

If your family eats a lot of veggies or enjoys fresh fruits regularly, you might need to plant more than the general recommendation.

For example, if you’re someone who loves fresh salads or smoothies every day, it’s a good idea to grow plenty of greens and fruits to satisfy those cravings.

But if only a few family members enjoy certain veggies, you can adjust and plant just enough to avoid growing too much.

Planting the right amount means there’s no waste, and you’ll have exactly what you need throughout the year.

2. Adjust for Family Size

The simplest way to adjust is by multiplying the amount you’d plant for one person by the number of people in your household.

If you're growing for four people, you'll need about four times the amount for one person.

But keep in mind, not everyone eats the same amount, and tastes can be different. If one person loves kale and another prefers cucumbers, it might make sense to plant more of the veggies that get eaten most often.

3. Think About Your Space

The size of your garden really affects how much you can grow. If you have a small garden or limited space (like a few raised beds or containers), you’ll want to focus on crops that give you the most food without taking up too much space.

Crops like lettuce, radishes, and herbs are great space-savers and grow quickly.

If you have a bigger garden, you can experiment with more varieties, but keep in mind, more plants also mean more work.

Try to balance what you plant with how much care your garden can handle.

4. Plan for Steady Harvests

Instead of planting everything at once, try staggering your planting so you can enjoy a steady harvest throughout the growing season.

Take beans, for example. Plant your beans in batches or start new rounds of lettuce and spinach every couple of weeks.

This way, you won’t end up with too much produce all at once, helping you avoid waste and giving you fresh veggies for a longer period.

5. Plan for Storing Extra Food

If you plan to preserve your harvest (like canning, freezing, or drying) for later, you’ll need to plant more than what you eat fresh.

If you want to store food for the winter, you might want to plant 25–30% more.

For instance, if you're canning tomatoes for sauces, soups, or salsas, plant enough to have extras once you've used up the fresh ones.

6. Keep Your Climate In Mind

Your climate has a big impact on what you can grow and how much you need to plant.

If you live somewhere with a longer growing season, you might be able to get more than one harvest from the same crops, so you won't need to plant as much.

On the other hand, if you’re in a cooler climate with a shorter growing season, it’s best to focus on hardier crops that can handle a little frost and grow quickly (like peas, carrots, and potatoes).

Know your local weather patterns to help you pick the right crops and figure out how to make the most of your growing season.

7. Grow What You Love (and Can Use)

It’s tempting to plant a variety of crops, but growing food your family actually eats is the best strategy.

There’s no need to plant 50 zucchini plants if only one person eats them. Take time to consider what everyone loves to eat.

If you’re unsure, start with small amounts and see what grows best in your garden.

As the seasons go by, you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t, and you can adjust for the next year accordingly.

Harvesting and Storing Your Produce

So, you’ve spent months tending to your garden, and now it's time to reap the rewards. 

Harvesting your crops at the right moment and knowing how to store them properly is crucial, so you don’t end up with a bunch of wasted vegetables (which we all know can be a bit heartbreaking).

1. When to Harvest

Timing is everything. You can’t just pick everything at once, expecting it to last. Each plant has its peak harvest time.

Leafy Greens (like lettuce, spinach, and kale)

These are best when they’re still tender and young. If you leave them too long, they can turn bitter and tough.

I’ve found that picking them in the morning, right after the dew has dried, is the best way to get them at their freshest.

Root Vegetables (such as carrots, beets, and potatoes)

These take longer to grow, so you want to wait until they’re fully mature—but not too long. With carrots, for instance, you’ll notice the tops get a bit bigger and bushier when they’re ready.

For beets, try pulling a few early to see how big they are. You can always leave the rest in the ground for another couple of weeks.

Fruit (like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers)

Wait until they’re completely ripe before harvesting. With tomatoes, you can tell because they’ll have a rich color (and when you gently press on them, they should yield just a bit).

For cucumbers, if they start to turn yellow, they’re past their prime, so pick them when they’re still firm and green.

2. Use the Right Tools

It might be tempting to just pull something out of the ground, but using the right tools really helps.

A sharp pair of garden scissors or a good knife makes harvesting smoother and cleaner. You don’t want to risk damaging the plant or cutting yourself.

A small garden fork is very useful for root crops. It helps you lift the roots without breaking them or messing up the soil too much.

3. Harvest Early in the Day

The best time to harvest is early in the morning, right after the sun has come up and the dew has dried. 

This is when your plants are at their freshest, and they haven’t been stressed by the heat of the day yet. 

And, harvesting in cooler temperatures helps your produce last longer. (It might not seem like a big deal, but trust me, it makes a difference when you're trying to keep everything fresh).

4. How to Store Your Harvest

Storing your harvest properly is just as important as growing it.

  • Leafy Greens
    These stay fresh longer in the fridge if you wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in a breathable container. Removing extra moisture with a salad spinner can help, too.
  • Root Vegetables (like carrots, potatoes, and onions)
    These do well in a cool, dark spot like a basement or garage. Use mesh bags or crates so they can breathe.
  • Fruits (like apples, pears, and peaches)
    The fridge works best, but be sure to give them some space to avoid bruising.

Regularly checking your stored produce helps catch anything that might be spoiling early.

5. Preserve for Later

So, what happens if you have way more than you can eat fresh? No problem. You can preserve your harvest for months of enjoyment.

  • Freezing works well for vegetables like beans, peas, and corn (just blanch them first).
  • Canning is ideal for fruits and tomatoes, giving you sauces, jams, or salsa to enjoy later.
  • Dehydrating is another option, perfect for herbs and fruits. Dried tomatoes or basil, for example, can last for months.

Learning these homesteading skills ensures nothing goes to waste and keeps your pantry stocked year-round.

Ready?

By now, you likely have a good idea of how much you can grow to meet your family’s needs for the year.

Self-sufficiency isn’t just about feeding your family—it’s about ensuring you have enough food, no matter what life throws your way.

And honestly, it feels pretty great knowing that you’re able to eat something you grew yourself, right?

Happy gardening!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Ready To Transform Your Garden?

Are you looking for the best way to layout your garden beds? Maybe you're feeling a bit stuck on how to make the most of your space? 

Leave a Comment