Exactly How Much To Plant for a Family of 4
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Date: 2026-07-10
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Comments and reviews: 20
epic_gardening
Honestly the last couple years as ive been building out my garden bigger and bigger ive just been planting things just to learn how they grow in my environment. Like, this year is the first time growing both sweet peas and regular peas and im surprised to find both of those are putting on blooms and pods well into the summer even with the heat we’ve been having. I was under the impression it was a spring and fall crop only but no while i would plant them early in the spring they dont produce pretty much until the summer. And see i didnt know that
But more to that these guys live in an area with a much longer growing season than I do. Idk if I can actually have two crops of potatoes i might try it one year to get new potatoes and then storage potatoes but idk my last frost is pretty late into may and before that (and even sometimes after that) my potatoes are vulnerable to late frosts if they start sprouting too soon.
Tomatoes for sure i need to pay attention to variety i cant just plant whatever because i want varieties that produce early and often. I dont have all year long to harvest. So tbh my priority is canning tomatoes more than fresh tomatoes. And i definitely get a much larger yield on my determinates rather than my indeterminates because of this. Its not that i dont have cherries and beefsteaks but those don’t carry me through the year. Once its fall, its all about the canning tomatoes. Frost has already begun as early as late September.
And idk i COULD grow certain foods but I also dont because thats not what we cook and eat. Ive debated growing eggplant for example because i dont think ive ever purchased eggplant for eating outside of trying out ratatouille. And it was good maybe good enough to grow one plant just so i can make that every summer. But beyond that idk
And i definitely keep planting WAY more lettuce than i use because it all bolts before i get around to harvesting it. So idk lots of trial and error being a new gardener. And i think having a shorter growing season is going to change how much you CAN eat from one vegetable over another. I mean i dont think i could ever rely on having as many fresh tomatoes being part of my diet as they do for example. But i sure as hell just did a massive harvest of really big garlic from my garden and i might have grown too much. Idk. Im not complaining. Idk if you can have too much garlic tbh.
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Honestly the last couple years as ive been building out my garden bigger and bigger ive just been planting things just to learn how they grow in my environment. Like, this year is the first time growing both sweet peas and regular peas and im surprised to find both of those are putting on blooms and pods well into the summer even with the heat we’ve been having. I was under the impression it was a spring and fall crop only but no while i would plant them early in the spring they dont produce pretty much until the summer. And see i didnt know that
But more to that these guys live in an area with a much longer growing season than I do. Idk if I can actually have two crops of potatoes i might try it one year to get new potatoes and then storage potatoes but idk my last frost is pretty late into may and before that (and even sometimes after that) my potatoes are vulnerable to late frosts if they start sprouting too soon.
Tomatoes for sure i need to pay attention to variety i cant just plant whatever because i want varieties that produce early and often. I dont have all year long to harvest. So tbh my priority is canning tomatoes more than fresh tomatoes. And i definitely get a much larger yield on my determinates rather than my indeterminates because of this. Its not that i dont have cherries and beefsteaks but those don’t carry me through the year. Once its fall, its all about the canning tomatoes. Frost has already begun as early as late September.
And idk i COULD grow certain foods but I also dont because thats not what we cook and eat. Ive debated growing eggplant for example because i dont think ive ever purchased eggplant for eating outside of trying out ratatouille. And it was good maybe good enough to grow one plant just so i can make that every summer. But beyond that idk
And i definitely keep planting WAY more lettuce than i use because it all bolts before i get around to harvesting it. So idk lots of trial and error being a new gardener. And i think having a shorter growing season is going to change how much you CAN eat from one vegetable over another. I mean i dont think i could ever rely on having as many fresh tomatoes being part of my diet as they do for example. But i sure as hell just did a massive harvest of really big garlic from my garden and i might have grown too much. Idk. Im not complaining. Idk if you can have too much garlic tbh.
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kmoecub
Corn isn't worth growing unless you have at least a 1/8 acre to devote to it, and enough inexpensive water to keep it healthy. I really do miss being able to grow good sweet corn, but city living isn't condussive to the crop. If you have the space do it. Freezing corn is the best method for preserving it.
As for peppers: Never, ever, ever discount the value of bringing the plants indoors for overwintering. My best producers have always been the oldest plants. Both species are annuals in their native environment. You can literally have a lifetime supply of tomatoes and peppers buy just buying two seed packets. Save the seeds of the two or three best fruits as a backup if any of your plants don't survive overwintering.
I'm also a proponent of having at least one fruit tree (two for non-self pollinating varieties (I'm partial to cold hardy figs and mulberries, and berry bushes. There's nothing better than raspberries picked in the heat of the day. Feeding a family must have a few luxuries in the mix.
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Corn isn't worth growing unless you have at least a 1/8 acre to devote to it, and enough inexpensive water to keep it healthy. I really do miss being able to grow good sweet corn, but city living isn't condussive to the crop. If you have the space do it. Freezing corn is the best method for preserving it.
As for peppers: Never, ever, ever discount the value of bringing the plants indoors for overwintering. My best producers have always been the oldest plants. Both species are annuals in their native environment. You can literally have a lifetime supply of tomatoes and peppers buy just buying two seed packets. Save the seeds of the two or three best fruits as a backup if any of your plants don't survive overwintering.
I'm also a proponent of having at least one fruit tree (two for non-self pollinating varieties (I'm partial to cold hardy figs and mulberries, and berry bushes. There's nothing better than raspberries picked in the heat of the day. Feeding a family must have a few luxuries in the mix.
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AlexBryantJOMTU
These amounts doesn't really take into account how much to grow while taking preserving, canning, freezing, drying, & freeze drying. Growing up we grew large gardens and had amazing harvests so that we would always have produce that lasted us all winter and into the next harvests. The only real ways we saved the produce while I was a kid though was through canning and freezing. We didn't really grow anything and dehydrate it or dry anything but we did have a good harvest of potatoes in our cool basement so they didn't go bad. You can also leave carrots in the garden as well and they will stay harvestable during winter but you also want to cover them with a good layer of straw. Of course warmer areas that don't get so cold may have to do something different for them.
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These amounts doesn't really take into account how much to grow while taking preserving, canning, freezing, drying, & freeze drying. Growing up we grew large gardens and had amazing harvests so that we would always have produce that lasted us all winter and into the next harvests. The only real ways we saved the produce while I was a kid though was through canning and freezing. We didn't really grow anything and dehydrate it or dry anything but we did have a good harvest of potatoes in our cool basement so they didn't go bad. You can also leave carrots in the garden as well and they will stay harvestable during winter but you also want to cover them with a good layer of straw. Of course warmer areas that don't get so cold may have to do something different for them.
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epic_gardening
Some good information here for the average gardener growing for fresh eating. We're a family of 4 in zone 5 upstate NY. We grow almost all the vegetables we consume for the entire year, so a lot of our garden produce is canned/frozen for late fall/winter/spring consumption. Obviously, our plant numbers per vegetable variety are multiples of what you covered in this video. We also focus a lot of our garden space on veggies that require no processing for long-term storage, like potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, pumpkins. Just a suggestion, perhaps you should do a video on planning for long-term storage. With the massively increased cost of produce in the grocery store today, more people are gardening to save $$ on the grocery bill.
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Some good information here for the average gardener growing for fresh eating. We're a family of 4 in zone 5 upstate NY. We grow almost all the vegetables we consume for the entire year, so a lot of our garden produce is canned/frozen for late fall/winter/spring consumption. Obviously, our plant numbers per vegetable variety are multiples of what you covered in this video. We also focus a lot of our garden space on veggies that require no processing for long-term storage, like potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, pumpkins. Just a suggestion, perhaps you should do a video on planning for long-term storage. With the massively increased cost of produce in the grocery store today, more people are gardening to save $$ on the grocery bill.
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aanawenjigewin
I love this! I think moving to a self-sustainable garden is an amazing goal! I still don’t have quite the knack for tomatoes but I try almost every year. This is my best year yet!
As a still relatively new gardener, my planting goals are usually grow my most dependable crop (beans, and try something new and fun every year. This year my fun plant is eggplant. I have one plant in a container. If it fails, oh well I have my beans to fall back on. If it goes well, then that’s the bonus. I love learning about gardening. I don’t retain a lot but I do build on my knowledge every year.
My other experiment is growing a tomato from a sucker cutting. It’s going good so far too. I’m surprised, I must be doing something right this year
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I love this! I think moving to a self-sustainable garden is an amazing goal! I still don’t have quite the knack for tomatoes but I try almost every year. This is my best year yet!
As a still relatively new gardener, my planting goals are usually grow my most dependable crop (beans, and try something new and fun every year. This year my fun plant is eggplant. I have one plant in a container. If it fails, oh well I have my beans to fall back on. If it goes well, then that’s the bonus. I love learning about gardening. I don’t retain a lot but I do build on my knowledge every year.
My other experiment is growing a tomato from a sucker cutting. It’s going good so far too. I’m surprised, I must be doing something right this year
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haileybalmer9722
One more thing I just have to have is radishes. Little round ones in the spring and summer, big Asian style radishes in the fall and winter. Last year I just kept pulling out beautiful creamy radishes out of my garden from early December all the way until late March, it was just the best. The little ones are great because they grow so fast without even trying, and I've had so many bugs this year. They kept mowing down all of my little seedlings until I started planting radishes as decoy plants. The bugs eat the radish leaves instead, and the ones that remain provide a little sunshade for your seedlings.
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One more thing I just have to have is radishes. Little round ones in the spring and summer, big Asian style radishes in the fall and winter. Last year I just kept pulling out beautiful creamy radishes out of my garden from early December all the way until late March, it was just the best. The little ones are great because they grow so fast without even trying, and I've had so many bugs this year. They kept mowing down all of my little seedlings until I started planting radishes as decoy plants. The bugs eat the radish leaves instead, and the ones that remain provide a little sunshade for your seedlings.
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cherylmosher6026
When you are talking two crops, what growing zones are you talking I am planning to move to a zone 3, not sure if a or b. From what I can see from others growing in the is zone, you really are limited to just over one planting period unless you have a greenhouse. I have been looking at the viability of a sunken greenhouse to utilise the heat of the earth.
Thought came up when you were talking about carrots. Could I use cold boxes - raise bed with a glass lid - for carrots and other in ground veggies
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When you are talking two crops, what growing zones are you talking I am planning to move to a zone 3, not sure if a or b. From what I can see from others growing in the is zone, you really are limited to just over one planting period unless you have a greenhouse. I have been looking at the viability of a sunken greenhouse to utilise the heat of the earth.
Thought came up when you were talking about carrots. Could I use cold boxes - raise bed with a glass lid - for carrots and other in ground veggies
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natehunter2961
Growing zone and soil productivity matters! The 100-200 sqft per person is extremely low and might only be possible in zone 8 with extremely rich soil. Potato yields are 1 to 1. 5 lb per sqft of land so to get 100 to 150 lbs of potatoes for one person you need 100 sqft of potatoes planted aka 400 sqft for a family of four. A pretty boring garden. More realistic numbers are 1, 000 sqft to feed one person for a year not including grains (i wouldn't include corn in this figure)
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Growing zone and soil productivity matters! The 100-200 sqft per person is extremely low and might only be possible in zone 8 with extremely rich soil. Potato yields are 1 to 1. 5 lb per sqft of land so to get 100 to 150 lbs of potatoes for one person you need 100 sqft of potatoes planted aka 400 sqft for a family of four. A pretty boring garden. More realistic numbers are 1, 000 sqft to feed one person for a year not including grains (i wouldn't include corn in this figure)
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FelisTerras
First year gardner, and anything but the cucumber was somewhat off for me. I needed three tries to finally get my tomato seedlings strong enough for transplanting, but my carrots in their bucket just popped up like parsley. On the other hand, the radishes were barely worth the effort. And my luscious sweet peas fell victim to the second heat burst. Again, thanks for all the helpful knowledge you two have provided us with over the years. Greres from across the pond.
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First year gardner, and anything but the cucumber was somewhat off for me. I needed three tries to finally get my tomato seedlings strong enough for transplanting, but my carrots in their bucket just popped up like parsley. On the other hand, the radishes were barely worth the effort. And my luscious sweet peas fell victim to the second heat burst. Again, thanks for all the helpful knowledge you two have provided us with over the years. Greres from across the pond.
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Lucas_pittella
Okay, i have a few questions. 1. Does the website/company ship to Australia, if so can i buy seeds 2. when making a mutation plant of a chilli and capsicum (bell pepper, if i want the capsicum to be spicy do i pollinate the capsicum flower with the chilli or the other way 3. with carrots can i use grow bags to grow in 4. can i make a pipe structure to grow lettuce in and would that only work with salad leaf or iceburg too Also anyone can answer these questions.
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Okay, i have a few questions. 1. Does the website/company ship to Australia, if so can i buy seeds 2. when making a mutation plant of a chilli and capsicum (bell pepper, if i want the capsicum to be spicy do i pollinate the capsicum flower with the chilli or the other way 3. with carrots can i use grow bags to grow in 4. can i make a pipe structure to grow lettuce in and would that only work with salad leaf or iceburg too Also anyone can answer these questions.
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PatrickMcNelis
This is only my second year gardening. Last year I had no plan, I just planted things, like the too many tomatoes Jacques planted his first year. This year what I planted was based on what I like to eat. For example, I like beef stew. So, potatoes, carrots, onions, and herbs. I like hot sauce, so peppers and garlic (plus the aforementioned onions and herbs. I ended up with a much more rational approach, though I still have a lot to learn.
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This is only my second year gardening. Last year I had no plan, I just planted things, like the too many tomatoes Jacques planted his first year. This year what I planted was based on what I like to eat. For example, I like beef stew. So, potatoes, carrots, onions, and herbs. I like hot sauce, so peppers and garlic (plus the aforementioned onions and herbs. I ended up with a much more rational approach, though I still have a lot to learn.
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epic_gardening
You two are really messing up by not growing Kulli Corn, from Peru. Superior to your varieties in basically every metric: 2-3 times more corn per stock than your recommended varieties, a more adaptable plant to different climes (including WET, and an adaptation that aids in nitrogen fixation. Service corn, in a way. gets like 13 feet tall and is full of antioxidants. A good fresh sweet corn, a good corn for drying. Older genetics.
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You two are really messing up by not growing Kulli Corn, from Peru. Superior to your varieties in basically every metric: 2-3 times more corn per stock than your recommended varieties, a more adaptable plant to different climes (including WET, and an adaptation that aids in nitrogen fixation. Service corn, in a way. gets like 13 feet tall and is full of antioxidants. A good fresh sweet corn, a good corn for drying. Older genetics.
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Mrs-T-Rusch
Some of these I just can't grow no matter what I try: potatoes, brassicas, onions, garlic. As for tomatoes & cucumbers, my biggest problem is BUGS! Stink bugs infest my tomatoes and pickle worms infest my cukes. I actually gave up on my garden 3 years ago because of this. I'm just starting to get back to trying again but it's so disheartening. I'm in central Florida, BTW. Zone 9a/b (right on the border.
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Some of these I just can't grow no matter what I try: potatoes, brassicas, onions, garlic. As for tomatoes & cucumbers, my biggest problem is BUGS! Stink bugs infest my tomatoes and pickle worms infest my cukes. I actually gave up on my garden 3 years ago because of this. I'm just starting to get back to trying again but it's so disheartening. I'm in central Florida, BTW. Zone 9a/b (right on the border.
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MsMaryContrary
My lacinato/dinosaur kale plants in Butte County are currently 2 1/2 years old. I've moved them multiple times too, and they keep going! Bolted multiple times, no problem. Cut the pods off after the pods have dried, have a billion seeds and the kale leafs out again! They also have multiple off shoots that leaf out, so they look like funky 6 foot tall Dr Seuss trees!
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My lacinato/dinosaur kale plants in Butte County are currently 2 1/2 years old. I've moved them multiple times too, and they keep going! Bolted multiple times, no problem. Cut the pods off after the pods have dried, have a billion seeds and the kale leafs out again! They also have multiple off shoots that leaf out, so they look like funky 6 foot tall Dr Seuss trees!
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alyncook7315
My parents first garden was cucumbers. thats it, they had a trailer on a lot with good light. They knew how to grow the less than needy plant, and they liked cucumbers. They planted the whole packet in ten or so hills.
The Jehova's witnesses stopped coming by because being given sacks of cucumbers to make the world a better place made them uncomfortable
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My parents first garden was cucumbers. thats it, they had a trailer on a lot with good light. They knew how to grow the less than needy plant, and they liked cucumbers. They planted the whole packet in ten or so hills.
The Jehova's witnesses stopped coming by because being given sacks of cucumbers to make the world a better place made them uncomfortable
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gardengatesopen
Great info guys!
But honestly, I don't know anyone who even has room for 16 raised beds!
And I'm in Texas,
so our yards aren't really all that small, pretty average for the U. S.
But still,
I get it.
The video is all about putting out the info for those who DO,
and WILL,
set up 16,
or more,
raised beds!
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Great info guys!
But honestly, I don't know anyone who even has room for 16 raised beds!
And I'm in Texas,
so our yards aren't really all that small, pretty average for the U. S.
But still,
I get it.
The video is all about putting out the info for those who DO,
and WILL,
set up 16,
or more,
raised beds!
reply
annadreamsart
1 summer squash per person. me getting 1-2 zukes before the squash bugs overrun everything no matter what I'm trying. lol. This year, I have them in seed trays now to plant out mid-July here in zone 6a. Hopefully, I'll get more fruit this year. For winter, I planted mostly resistant varieties like Long Island Cheese, tromboncino, and honey nut.
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1 summer squash per person. me getting 1-2 zukes before the squash bugs overrun everything no matter what I'm trying. lol. This year, I have them in seed trays now to plant out mid-July here in zone 6a. Hopefully, I'll get more fruit this year. For winter, I planted mostly resistant varieties like Long Island Cheese, tromboncino, and honey nut.
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MizuMing
I think maybe onion might be the only one you really missed Much like the others there are so many different types of onion, cut and come again types where you're just going for the tops, or bulbing, or something akin to a leek where you're just going for the bottoms mostly. Definitely a daily eating plant for a lot of people in a lot of cultures.
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I think maybe onion might be the only one you really missed Much like the others there are so many different types of onion, cut and come again types where you're just going for the tops, or bulbing, or something akin to a leek where you're just going for the bottoms mostly. Definitely a daily eating plant for a lot of people in a lot of cultures.
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joearledge1
17: 10 on carrots, 5 gallon hardware store buckets are king. up to 37 carrots per bucket( Warning: 37 may burst bucket, not a joke. you control the water and soil 100%. you can move it ANYWHERE for sun or shade or to avoid a storm. and OH BTW. the bucket lid is it's own humidity dome. everything you could ever want for growing carrots
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17: 10 on carrots, 5 gallon hardware store buckets are king. up to 37 carrots per bucket( Warning: 37 may burst bucket, not a joke. you control the water and soil 100%. you can move it ANYWHERE for sun or shade or to avoid a storm. and OH BTW. the bucket lid is it's own humidity dome. everything you could ever want for growing carrots
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dawnsdacha
Really great video! I think if I had to improve it I'd add herbs (especially plants like basil, I never know how much to plant, strawberries, melons, and onions. They are actually mostly doing the best in my (rooftop) garden this year.
Bonus points for how many fruit trees tho again I already lost that battle with myself rofl
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Really great video! I think if I had to improve it I'd add herbs (especially plants like basil, I never know how much to plant, strawberries, melons, and onions. They are actually mostly doing the best in my (rooftop) garden this year.
Bonus points for how many fruit trees tho again I already lost that battle with myself rofl
reply
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