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Vegetable Garden Yield vs Cost Calculator
Is your vegetable garden actually saving you money?
In this article
Does home gardening save money?
For common vegetables, yes — often significantly. Tomatoes and fresh herbs offer 5–10× returns on seed cost. The most economical crops are high-value items you use frequently: basil ($4–6/oz at stores), salad greens ($5–8/lb), cherry tomatoes ($4–6/pint).
Crops not worth growing for savings
Corn (takes a lot of space, cheap at store), potatoes (cheap, require lots of space), and melons (space-intensive, modest return). Focus on expensive items you regularly buy.
⚡ CalcWolf Insight
A 4×8 ft raised bed can produce $500–800 worth of vegetables per season in tomatoes, herbs, and greens from a $50 seed investment. First-year setup costs reduce returns, but subsequent years are nearly pure profit.
Frequently asked questions
How much produce can a 4x8 garden bed produce?▾
A 32 sq ft bed can yield 100–200 lbs of tomatoes/peppers or 50–80 lbs of mixed vegetables per season. At store prices, that's $150–400 in value.
What vegetables produce the most food per square foot?▾
Highest yield per square foot: tomatoes (10-15 lbs/plant), zucchini (6-10 lbs/plant), pole beans (5-8 lbs/plant), and cucumbers (5-10 lbs/plant). Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, kale) produce the most harvests per season with succession planting every 2-3 weeks.
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