16 High-Yield Crops That Make Gardening Worth Your Investment

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Gardening can be a bit like therapy and a bit like treasure hunting. There’s no better feeling than harvesting fresh produce straight from your backyard, but know that some crops win you more bang for your buck than others. Whether you want to save on grocery bills, start a farmer’s market hustle, or just enjoy the fruits (and veggies) of your labor, picking the right crops is where the magic starts.

There are plants that are stingy with their yield, and plants that are apparently intent on providing a village with food. We have created this article for you as a guide to high yield crops that will really make your garden a powerhouse. Let’s plant something great, so grab your gloves and your spade.

Tomatoes

There’s something like overachievers, and that’s exactly what tomatoes are in the garden. Dozens of juicy, flavorful fruits can come from a single plant, throughout the growing season. Regardless if you’re picking beefsteak, cherry or Roma varieties, tomatoes prefer sunny locations and regular watering. Plus, you can use a bumper crop to make sauces, salsas, or canned tomatoes for use all year. The USDA found that tomatoes are the highest return crop for home growers, with a high value for the dollars invested.

Zucchini

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Zucchini is the show off if tomatoes are the overachievers. It grows so fast and so abundantly that you almost have to leave some zucchinis on your neighbor’s porch at midnight. In the kitchen, they’re versatile, good for roasting, grilling or even baking into bread. Using only a handful of plants, you’ll have more than enough to share, preserve or even barter.

Potatoes

Potatoes are like the friend you can always count on, they’re always there. One seed potato can produce ten spuds, and they keep well, feeding you long after harvest. They are also hardy and can grow in many climates, making them a must have for gardeners.

Leafy Greens

Spinach, kale, and lettuce grow like weeds, but these are delicious and full of nutrients. Quick to grow and can be harvest repeatedly when picked regularly. Leafy greens are one of the most nutrient dense foods, and therefore a smart choice for both health and yield, according to a Harvard Medical School study.

Green Beans

Green beans are the gifts that just keep on giving. Pole varieties are climbers which produce continuously, while bush types produce a big crop all at once. They freeze well and are easy to grow, so you’ll enjoy their crunch long after summer.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers want to climb, and will reward you with more than you can eat with a little support. Cucumbers grow quickly and are perfect for pickling or salads, and a hit with gardeners looking to fill a small space with bounty.

Peppers

Peppers, whether you like the sweet bell pepper or the hot habanero, are a garden favorite. They do best in sunny spots and give a great crop. Peppers are one of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables for beginners and pros alike to grow.

Carrots

The underground overachievers of your garden are carrots. They’re high yield when grown in loose, fertile soil, with their vibrant colors, and crunchy texture. They’re great for juicing, snacking, or throwing into hearty stews.

Strawberries

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Strawberries are sweet and a great thing to have in any garden. Although they can take a year to get going, these plants will give you juicy berries for years. If you take care of your strawberries, you will be the envy of your neighborhood.

Herbs

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Herbs are tiny plants with big payoffs. Basil, parsley and cilantro can be grown in containers. Fresh herbs really do add something to any dish and are ridiculously expensive in the store, so they should be on the list of things you have to have in my garden. They are fast growers, and can even grow in small spaces like windowsills.

Sweet Corn

Although corn might take a little more space in your garden, its return is worth it. Nothing beats sweet corn for yield, and the taste of fresh sweet corn grilled right off the stalk is fantastic. Each stalk can produce one, sometimes two, ears of deliciously sweet corn with good care.

Peas

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Peas are a good early season crop and just keep on giving. All peas grow quickly and give multiple harvests, whether you choose snow peas, snap peas or shelling peas. They’re also nitrogen fixers, so they’re improving the soil you’re going to plant your next crop in.

Garlic

Plant garlic in the fall and by summer you’ll have a nice size harvest of bulbs; ready to cook, bake or store. Garlic is very low maintenance and has a big return for flavor and yield.

Onions

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Onions are a gardener’s dream and kitchen staple. And, using a single bulb, you can create dozens more. They store well and are useful for so many recipes, so if you grow them, you’ll find yourself using them all year long.

Berries

Raspberries, blueberries and blackberries require some patience, but once they’re set in, these perennials bear fruit year after year. They are delicious and great for jams, pies, or fresh snacking, once you’re done.

Winter Squash

Butternut and acorn varieties of winter squash are some of the most generous plants around. Each of these plants will produce multiple fruits per plant, that store well and make for hearty, comforting meals complete with the nutrition of the sun all winter long.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.