Free Tool

Garden Size Calculator

How many plants do you actually need to feed your family for a year?

These numbers are for a full year’s supply — fresh eating plus enough extra to can, freeze, or store. If you’re mostly gardening for fresh summer eating, cut these numbers roughly in half.

Why These Numbers

These are based on commonly cited extension-service guidelines for per-person yield needs across a full canning-and-storage season, not just fresh summer eating. Your actual numbers will shift based on how much of each crop your family actually eats and how you plan to preserve it.