The Most Efficient Vegetables to Grow

Growing your own vegetables can be highly rewarding, both nutritionally and financially. Efficiency in vegetable gardening can be measured by yield per square foot, growth rate, and the nutritional value provided. Here are some of the most efficient vegetables to grow, perfect for maximizing your garden's productivity:

1. Tomatoes

Efficiency: High yield per plant, versatile use

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
• Time to Harvest: 60-85 days from transplanting
• Nutritional Value: Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, and a good source of antioxidants like lycopene

Benefits:

• Tomatoes produce a large number of fruits per plant.
• They can be used fresh, cooked, or preserved.

2. Leafy Greens (Spinach, Kale, Lettuce)

Efficiency: Quick growing, multiple harvests

• Growing Conditions: Partial shade to full sun, well-drained soil
• Time to Harvest: 30-60 days depending on the variety
• Nutritional Value: High in vitamins A, C, K, and folate; rich in iron and calcium

Benefits:

• Leafy greens can be harvested continuously, promoting new growth.
• They provide a significant amount of nutrients in a small growing area.

3. Radishes

Efficiency: Fast growing, high yield

• Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil
• Time to Harvest: 20-30 days
• Nutritional Value: Good source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber

Benefits:

• Radishes are one of the quickest vegetables to mature.
• They can be grown in succession for continuous harvests throughout the season.

4. Peas

Efficiency: Nitrogen fixer, high yield

• Growing Conditions: Cool weather, full sun to partial shade
• Time to Harvest: 60-70 days
• Nutritional Value: High in vitamins A, C, and K, protein, and dietary fiber

Benefits:

• Peas enrich the soil with nitrogen, benefiting subsequent crops.
• They are versatile and can be eaten fresh, frozen, or dried.

5. Zucchini (Courgette)

Efficiency: Prolific producer, versatile

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, fertile, well-drained soil
• Time to Harvest: 45-60 days
• Nutritional Value: Rich in vitamins A and C, and a good source of fiber

Benefits:

• Zucchini plants produce a large quantity of fruit over the growing season.
• They can be used in a variety of culinary applications.

6. Green Beans

Efficiency: High yield, nitrogen fixer

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
• Time to Harvest: 50-60 days
• Nutritional Value: Good source of vitamins A, C, and K, and fiber

Benefits:

• Green beans can be grown as bush or pole varieties, maximizing space.
• They improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.

7. Carrots

Efficiency: Long storage, high yield per square foot

• Growing Conditions: Full sun, loose, sandy soil
• Time to Harvest: 70-80 days
• Nutritional Value: High in beta-carotene (vitamin A), fiber, and potassium

Benefits:

• Carrots store well for long periods.
• They are a nutritious root vegetable that can be used in various dishes.

Efficiency Tips for Vegetable Gardening

• Succession Planting: Plant crops in intervals to ensure continuous harvest throughout the growing season.
• Companion Planting: Grow plants together that benefit each other by improving growth or deterring pests.
• Vertical Gardening: Use trellises and supports to grow climbing plants like beans and peas, saving space.
• Intercropping: Plant fast-growing crops between slower-growing ones to maximize space and yield.

We also cover the range of vegetable crops and yields in a standard 2.4m x 1.2m bed found here

The Most Efficient Vegetables to Grow: Yield and Savings

Growing your own vegetables can provide substantial savings compared to purchasing them at a supermarket. Here's a look at some of the most efficient vegetables to grow, how much you can harvest in a standard 2.4m x 1.2m (8ft x 4ft) raised bed, and the potential cost savings.

Efficiency and Yield of Top Vegetables

Detailed Analysis

Tomatoes

• Yield: A well-maintained raised bed can produce 20-30 kg of tomatoes.
• Supermarket Price: £2.50 per kg.
• Estimated Crop Value: £50-£75.
• Cost to Grow: £5 (seeds, minimal fertiliser, water).
• Estimated Savings: £45-£70.

Lettuce

• Yield: 10-15 heads per bed.
• Supermarket Price: £1.50 per head.
• Estimated Crop Value: £15-£22.50.
• Cost to Grow: £2 (seeds, minimal fertiliser, water).
• Estimated Savings: £13-£20.50.

Spinach

• Yield: 10-12 kg per bed.
• Supermarket Price: £4.00 per kg.
• Estimated Crop Value: £40-£48.
• Cost to Grow: £3 (seeds, minimal fertiliser, water).
• Estimated Savings: £37-£45.

Radishes

• Yield: 10-15 kg per bed.
• Supermarket Price: £2.00 per kg.
• Estimated Crop Value: £20-£30.
• Cost to Grow: £1 (seeds, minimal fertiliser, water).
• Estimated Savings: £19-£29.

Peas

• Yield: 5-7 kg per bed.
• Supermarket Price: £3.00 per kg.
• Estimated Crop Value: £15-£21.
• Cost to Grow: £3 (seeds, minimal fertiliser, water).
• Estimated Savings: £12-£18.

Zucchini (Courgette)

• Yield: 20-25 kg per bed.
• Supermarket Price: £2.00 per kg.
• Estimated Crop Value: £40-£50.
• Cost to Grow: £3 (seeds, minimal fertiliser, water).
• Estimated Savings: £37-£47.

Green Beans

• Yield: 10-15 kg per bed.
• Supermarket Price: £3.50 per kg.
• Estimated Crop Value: £35-£52.50.
• Cost to Grow: £3 (seeds, minimal fertiliser, water).
• Estimated Savings: £32-£49.50.

Carrots

• Yield: 10-12 kg per bed.
• Supermarket Price: £1.50 per kg.
• Estimated Crop Value: £15-£18.
• Cost to Grow: £2 (seeds, minimal fertiliser, water).
• Estimated Savings: £13-£16.