When it comes to growing your own food, there’s a world of difference between a hobby garden and a subsistence garden. A hobby garden is all about experimenting with new varieties, trying out different growing techniques, and enjoying the fruits of your labor. But a subsistence garden is about something much more fundamental: providing a reliable source of nutritious food for yourself and your loved ones. If you’re looking to start a subsistence garden, you’ll want to focus on growing crops that are high in calories, protein, and other essential nutrients – and can be stored for long periods of time. In this article, we’ll explore seven essential plants to get you started.
1. Potatoes: The Calorie-Dense Foundation
Potatoes are often overlooked as a food staple, but they’re one of the most calorie-dense crops you can grow in a home garden. In fact, they produce more calories per square foot than almost anything else – a whopping 37% more than the next closest crop! This makes them the perfect foundation for a subsistence garden, providing a reliable source of energy and nutrients.
Why Potatoes Are the Answer
There are many reasons why potatoes are the perfect crop for a subsistence garden. Not only do they produce a high yield of calories, but they’re also incredibly versatile. You can eat them daily without getting tired of them quickly, and they store for months without canning or freezing. Plus, they’re easy to grow and require minimal maintenance – making them a great choice for beginners.
How to Grow Potatoes
To grow potatoes, simply plant seed potatoes in the spring as soon as the soil is workable. Hill soil around the stems as they grow to increase tuber production and prevent the tubers from greening in sunlight. A long row can yield several pounds of potatoes, depending on the variety and conditions. Cure the tubers in a cool, dark spot for a week or two after harvest, then keep them somewhere cool with good ventilation.
2. Winter Squash: The Long-Storage Superstar
Winter squash is another crop that’s perfect for a subsistence garden. Not only does it store for months on a shelf with no processing at all, but it’s also incredibly nutritious. A single butternut plant can produce eight to ten pounds of fruit in a good season, and that fruit stores for months on a shelf with no processing at all.
The Main Benefit of Winter Squash
The main benefit of winter squash is its long storage time. This makes it an ideal crop for a subsistence garden, where you’ll want to focus on growing crops that can be stored for long periods of time. Plus, winter squash is one of the few crops that gives you dense, calorie-rich food through the coldest months without a freezer, a pressure canner, or any effort beyond setting it in a cool corner.
How to Grow Winter Squash
Winter squash is a warm-season crop, so plant it after the last frost when the soil is warm. Squash won’t tolerate cold, and seeds sown in soil below 60°F (16°C) tend to rot before they germinate. Make sure to train the vines along a fence or let them run into an adjacent mowed area to save space. Butternut and Hubbard types are the best for long-term storage, while Acorn squash stores for a shorter period but matures faster – making it a great choice for shorter-season climates.
3. Beans: The Protein Powerhouse
Beans are another essential crop for a subsistence garden, providing a reliable source of plant-based protein. In fact, a pound of dried beans contains a substantial amount of protein – about 4.2 million calories of protein per pound! This makes them an ideal crop for adding more protein to your garden.
Why Beans Are a Great Choice
Beans are a great choice for a subsistence garden because they’re easy to grow and require minimal maintenance. They’re also incredibly versatile, with a range of varieties to choose from – including bush, pole, and snap beans. Plus, beans are a great source of fiber and other essential nutrients, making them a nutritious addition to your diet.
How to Grow Beans
Grow more than you think you’ll need, as beans are light and it takes a lot of them to make up a meaningful portion of your diet. Any common dry bean works (pinto, black, kidney, navy), so grow whatever you eat the most of. Let the pods dry on the vine until they’re brown and papery, shell them, and store in airtight containers.
4. Tomatoes: The Versatile Fruit
Tomatoes may not be as calorie-dense as potatoes or squash, but they’re incredibly versatile and earn their place in a subsistence garden through sheer versatility. A dozen plants can produce over a hundred pounds of fruit, providing a reliable source of fresh produce for months to come.
The Main Benefit of Tomatoes
The main benefit of tomatoes is their sheer versatility. You can can them whole, make sauces and pastes, or dry them for long-term storage. They’re also incredibly easy to grow, requiring minimal maintenance and care. Plus, tomatoes are a great source of vitamins and other essential nutrients, making them a nutritious addition to your diet.
How to Grow Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a warm-season crop, so plant them after the last frost when the soil is warm. Make sure to provide support for the plants, as they can grow quite tall. A dozen plants can produce over a hundred pounds of fruit, depending on the variety and conditions. Harvest them when they’re ripe, and enjoy them fresh or preserved for months to come.
5. Cabbage: The Long-Storage Crop
Cabbage is another crop that’s perfect for a subsistence garden, providing a reliable source of nutritious food for months to come. It lasts much longer than popular salad greens like lettuce, making it an ideal crop for long-term storage.
Why Cabbage Is a Great Choice
Cabbage is a great choice for a subsistence garden because it’s easy to grow and requires minimal maintenance. It’s also incredibly versatile, with a range of varieties to choose from – including green, red, and savoy cabbage. Plus, cabbage is a great source of vitamins and other essential nutrients, making it a nutritious addition to your diet.
How to Grow Cabbage
Grow cabbage in the spring or fall, when the weather is cooler. Make sure to provide support for the plants, as they can grow quite large. Harvest them when they’re mature, and enjoy them fresh or preserved for months to come.
6. Carrots: The Sweet and Nutritious Crop
Carrots are another essential crop for a subsistence garden, providing a reliable source of sweet and nutritious food for months to come. They’re easy to grow and require minimal maintenance, making them a great choice for beginners.
Why Carrots Are a Great Choice
Carrots are a great choice for a subsistence garden because they’re incredibly versatile. You can eat them fresh, preserve them for long-term storage, or use them in a range of recipes. Plus, carrots are a great source of vitamins and other essential nutrients, making them a nutritious addition to your diet.
How to Grow Carrots
Grow carrots in the spring or fall, when the weather is cooler. Make sure to provide support for the plants, as they can grow quite large. Harvest them when they’re mature, and enjoy them fresh or preserved for months to come.
7. Peas: The Easy and Nutritious Crop
Peas are another essential crop for a subsistence garden, providing a reliable source of easy and nutritious food for months to come. They’re easy to grow and require minimal maintenance, making them a great choice for beginners.
Why Peas Are a Great Choice
Peas are a great choice for a subsistence garden because they’re incredibly versatile. You can eat them fresh, preserve them for long-term storage, or use them in a range of recipes. Plus, peas are a great source of vitamins and other essential nutrients, making them a nutritious addition to your diet.
How to Grow Peas
Grow peas in the spring or fall, when the weather is cooler. Make sure to provide support for the plants, as they can grow quite large. Harvest them when they’re mature, and enjoy them fresh or preserved for months to come.
