Expected Food Harvest

Grow Enough of These 20 Vegetables for a Family of Five

Apr 4, 2009 Jacqueline Cross

Suggestions for the number of seeds which should be planted in the vegetable garden to ensure an adequate supply of fresh produce.

Growing enough food to feed a family of five is as simple as knowing how many of each variety to plant. Of course, not every vegetable is right for every family and the types or numbers may have to be adjusted to fit specific tastes. Then there are those which are well liked and these are the vegetables of which gardeners will need to plant more.

The list below gives approximate numbers of the plants needed to produce enough fruit to keep a family of five in fresh produce throughout the season and beyond. Assuming plants are healthy and productive and vegetables are harvested regularly throughout the season, there will be enough to put away for the off-season.

How Many Seeds to Plant

Beans, green snap 240 - 300
Beans, dry bush bean 150 – 200
Broccoli 15 – 20
Brussels Sprouts 6 – 8
Cabbage 18 – 20
Carrots 55 – 70
Cauliflower 8 – 10
Celery 45 – 50
Chard 15 – 20
Corn 85 – 100
Cucumbers 25 – 30
Eggplants 8 – 10
Lettuce, head 25 – 30
Lettuce, loose-leaf 50 – 60
Peas, bush 350 – 500
Peppers, sweet green 20 – 30
Spinach 50 – 60
Squash, yellow summer 10 – 15
Squash, zucchini 10 – 15
Tomatoes 20 – 30

Possible Problems

Seeds fail to germinate.

Long-time gardeners have at one time or another experienced seed germination failure. To reduce the risk, plant healthy seeds from reliable sources and monitor their progress. The list above allows for germination failure with the addition of extra seed for each plant. More tips can be found by reading “Vegetable Seedling Success” and “Simple Seed Starting.”

Weather conditions and/or predators may destroy seedbeds or seedlings.

Wild spring storms can sweep across the landscape with driving wind, heavy rain and hail which can uncover seeds leaving them vulnerable to scavengers such as squirrels, mice, birds and others. In southwestern and southern climates where the heat begins early, young seedlings may need to be protected from direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day.

Plant diseases may cause crop failure.

Prevent most common vegetable and fruit plant diseases by starting with healthy soil. This is the single most important part of any garden plan. Provide cover, such as row covers, for developing seedlings to protect from sunscald, early spring garden pests and damaging spring storms.

The list included here is an example of the number of seeds needed to keep fresh produce on the table for a family of five. Adjusting the amount of each variety to suit the taste of a family can be easily accomplished by adding and taking away from the list.

Extras

The excess of each vegetable can easily be stored in root cellars, freezers and canned or dried for winter storage. This will provide homegrown vegetables between growing seasons.

For help calculating the amount of fruit from berry plants, see the article; “Average Berry Plant Yields.”

The copyright of the article Expected Food Harvest in Vegetable Gardens is owned by Jacqueline Cross. Permission to republish Expected Food Harvest in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.