Homestead Garden Yield Calculator
Created by: Emma Collins
Last updated:
Estimate how many pounds of vegetables your garden will produce. Select your crop, enter garden size or plant count, and get realistic harvest predictions based on intensive gardening practices and optimal growing conditions.
Homestead Garden Yield Calculator
HomesteadingEstimate your vegetable harvest by entering garden size and crop type.
Related Calculators
What is a Homestead Garden Yield Calculator?
A Homestead Garden Yield Calculator estimates how many pounds of vegetables you can expect to harvest from a given garden area or number of plants. By selecting your crop and entering your bed size, you get realistic harvest estimates based on intensive gardening practices — helping you plan how much to grow for your family or for preserving.
The calculator uses yield data from university extension services, Master Gardener programs, and experienced market gardeners, assuming good soil, adequate water, and proper spacing. It also shows harvest timing, growing days, and approximate retail value of your harvest.
Vegetable Yield Reference Chart
| Crop | Lbs/Sq Ft | Lbs/Plant | Days to Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes (Determinate) | 2.5 | 10 | 70 | Bush type, concentrated harvest |
| Tomatoes (Indeterminate) | 4 | 20 | 80 | Vining type, extended harvest |
| Bell Peppers | 1.5 | 6 | 75 | 4-8 peppers per plant |
| Hot Peppers | 1 | 4 | 70 | Jalapeño, serrano, etc. |
| Cucumbers | 2 | 10 | 55 | Trellised for best yield |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | 3 | 12 | 50 | Very prolific |
| Winter Squash (Butternut, etc.) | 1.5 | 12 | 100 | Needs space, stores well |
| Green Beans (Bush) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 55 | Multiple plantings recommended |
| Green Beans (Pole) | 1 | 1.5 | 65 | Trellised, extended harvest |
| Peas (Shelling or Snap) | 0.3 | 0.25 | 60 | Cool season crop |
| Lettuce (Leaf) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 45 | Cut-and-come-again |
| Lettuce (Head) | 1 | 1.5 | 70 | Single harvest |
| Spinach | 0.4 | 0.25 | 40 | Cool season, bolts in heat |
| Kale | 0.8 | 2 | 55 | Harvest outer leaves |
| Swiss Chard | 0.6 | 1.5 | 55 | Cut-and-come-again |
Intensive Spacing Guidelines
Intensive spacing (also called "square foot gardening") plants crops closer together than traditional row gardening. This requires excellent soil with plenty of compost, consistent watering, and good sun. Here are common intensive spacings:
- 1 per square foot: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, kale, cabbage, broccoli
- 4 per square foot: Lettuce, Swiss chard, bush beans
- 9 per square foot: Beets, onions, garlic, spinach
- 16 per square foot: Carrots, radishes
- Vining crops: 1 per 2-4 sq ft for cucumbers, squash (trellised)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will my vegetable garden produce?
Yield depends on crop, spacing, soil quality, and care. A well-maintained 100 sq ft tomato bed can produce 250-400 lbs of tomatoes. A 4x8 raised bed (32 sq ft) of lettuce yields 15-20 lbs. This calculator uses intensive spacing yields from experienced gardeners and extension services.
How many tomato plants do I need for a family of 4?
For fresh eating, 4-8 indeterminate tomato plants typically provide enough for a family of 4. If you want to can or preserve, plan for 15-25 plants. Each indeterminate plant yields about 15-25 lbs over the season; determinate plants yield 8-12 lbs in a concentrated period.
What vegetables produce the most per square foot?
The highest yielding vegetables per square foot include: indeterminate tomatoes (4+ lbs/sq ft), zucchini (3+ lbs/sq ft), cucumbers (2+ lbs/sq ft), and potatoes (2+ lbs/sq ft). Greens like lettuce and spinach have lower weight yield but produce continuously.
How do I calculate garden space per person?
For a basic vegetable supply, plan 200 sq ft per person. For significant self-sufficiency including canning, plan 400-600 sq ft per person. For complete vegetable self-sufficiency with storage crops, plan 800-1,000 sq ft per person.
Does intensive spacing really work?
Yes — intensive or "square foot" spacing can increase yields 2-4x compared to traditional row gardening. The key is excellent soil (rich compost), consistent watering, and succession planting. The yields in this calculator assume intensive raised-bed spacing with good soil.
Sources and References
- University of California Cooperative Extension, "Vegetable Yields for Home Gardens", Publication 8059, 2023
- Cornell University Cooperative Extension, "Vegetable Guidelines for New York", 2024
- Johnny's Selected Seeds, "Seed to Harvest: Yield Expectations by Crop", 2024
- Jeavons, John, "How to Grow More Vegetables", 9th Edition, Ten Speed Press, 2017