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Top 10 High Yield Crops to Plant
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8. Amaranth or Quinoa
These are super easy to grow grains that do not need to be hulled after harvest. Both are much healthier than wheat and are a complete source of protein with all the amino acids necessary to the human body. Amaranth grows best in hot climates while quinoa does much better in cool, wet regions. You can harvest about 5 pounds of these tasty grains from 100 square feet.
9. Collards and Kale
These are both related to the cabbage family and many varieties can even be harvested right up until the winter snow sets in. Both are high in calcium and keep very well in the fridge for months. Read more about kale benefits.
SEE ALSO: Grow Your Own Beauty Product Garden
10. Potatoes and/or Sweet Potatoes
Although these are low in protein, they are staples for many Americans. You can grow any variety of potato you like or sweet potatoes, or both! One of the great things about potatoes is their high yields, about 50 pounds per 100 square feet. They are also super space savers. Most can be grown in an old trash can or a stack of old pallets!
Other plants we haven’t mentioned are:
- Basil, Thyme, and Tarragon – All of these are super easy to grow, they can be dried and stored for years, and they are much, much cheaper to grow yourself than to buy those tiny little bottles for $4 apiece.
- Chilies – If you enjoy chilies or making spicy foods from chilies, you can grow a wide variety of them in pots quite easily. Everything from habaneros to pasillas to jalapenos. They can all be dried (or in jalapenos case, pickled) and stored for months.
- Onions – Although they do take up a great deal of space when you consider the yield, yet many people like to grow them for both the green tops in the summer, and then storing them in the fall. Onions can be kept for months when properly stored, so if you have a bit of room, you might want to think about planting a few onions of every variety.
Perhaps the best way to get the most out of your garden space is careful planning. You can put 64 spring pea plants in a four foot space in your garden in the early spring (since peas like cooler weather), then, when they are finished, replace them with 4 tomato plants (in cages) in the same space, and have more tomatoes than you know what to do with all summer long. Good planning will give you the most yields from your garden, so have your plans ready and as soon as the weather breaks, get planting!
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