Ever get that feeling that the world’s just a little too unpredictable these days? Between grocery bills going up and fresh produce being hit or miss, I’ve found myself leaning more and more into the garden. Not just for the joy of growing—but for the peace of mind it brings.
In this guide, I’m sharing six crops I’d rely on if times ever got tight. These are the heavy-hitters: filling, nutritious, and surprisingly easy to grow—even if life’s busy or gardening’s new to you.
And if you like the sound of growing more of your own, don’t miss the free extras we offer to newsletter subscribers—planner pages, printables, crop calendars, and more.
👇Sign up and start your own food security plan the easy way.
Why Growing Your Own Food Is Important
What Makes a Crop a ‘Survival Crop?
6 Best Survival Crops to Grow at Home
How to Start Your Survival Garden Today
Why Growing Your Own Food Is Important
Rising grocery prices, unpredictable weather, and supply chain disruptions have made it clear: relying solely on stores for food is risky.
Growing your own food isn’t just a fun hobby anymore—it’s a smart move for self-sufficiency and security.
The Rising Cost of Groceries
Food prices have been skyrocketing, and there’s no guarantee they’ll come down anytime soon. Everything from fresh produce to staple grains has seen sharp increases, making it harder for families to afford healthy meals.
By growing your own food, you can cut your grocery bill significantly while ensuring a steady supply of fresh, nutritious produce.
Food Shortages and Supply Chain Issues
From global conflicts to natural disasters, we’ve seen how fragile the food supply system can be. Grocery store shelves aren’t always stocked like they used to be, and certain foods have become harder to find. A survival garden gives you control over your food supply, reducing your dependence on outside sources.
The Security of Having Homegrown Food
Knowing that you have fresh food growing right in your backyard brings peace of mind. If you live in a house with a garden or an apartment with a few pots, growing even a small amount of food can make a difference.
Plus, fresh homegrown produce is healthier, tastier, and free from harmful chemicals.
If you’ve ever thought about starting a survival garden, now is the time. In the next section, we’ll break down what makes a crop a true ‘survival crop’—and why some are better than others for keeping you fed in tough times.
What Makes a Crop a ‘Survival Crop’?
Not all crops are created equal when it comes to survival gardening. Some plants may be fun to grow but offer little in terms of nutrition or storage life. A true survival crop must meet a few key criteria to ensure you stay fed in tough times.
1. High Yield and Calorie-Dense
Survival gardening isn’t just about growing food—it’s about growing enough food. The best crops for food security produce a lot per plant and are rich in calories, which are essential for energy and survival. Crops like potatoes and corn pack in the calories while providing a high yield from a small space.
2. Easy to Grow and Maintain
In a survival situation, you don’t want a crop that requires constant attention or perfect conditions. The best survival crops thrive in different climates, resist pests, and require minimal care. Hardy plants like beans and squash can survive in challenging conditions and still produce a reliable harvest.
3. Long-Term Storage Potential
A true survival crop isn’t just something you eat fresh—it should also be easy to store for months without refrigeration. Crops like sweet potatoes and squash can be stored for long periods, while beans and corn can be dried and used throughout the year.
4. Nutritional Value
Surviving isn’t just about calories—you also need a balanced diet with essential vitamins and minerals. The best survival crops provide a mix of carbohydrates, protein, and nutrients to keep your body strong and healthy. For example, cabbage is rich in vitamins, while beans offer plant-based protein.
5. Versatility in Cooking and Eating
A good survival crop should be useful in multiple ways. Can it be eaten raw? Cooked? Preserved? Dried? The more ways you can prepare it, the better. Crops like corn and potatoes can be used in countless recipes, from fresh meals to long-term storage foods like flour and dried goods.
Now that we know what makes a great survival crop, let’s look at the six best crops you should start growing today to keep you and your family well-fed, no matter what.
6 Best Survival Crops to Grow at Home
If you want to grow food that will truly sustain you, these six powerhouse crops are your best bet. They are high-yielding, nutrient-dense, easy to grow, and store well, making them ideal for food security.
1. Potatoes – The Calorie Champ
Potatoes are one of the most reliable survival crops you can grow.
Spuds are one of the best crops you can grow for pure food volume. They’re filling, full of potassium and vitamin C, and if you’ve never tasted a homegrown potato… oh, you’re in for a treat.
Why They’re Great for Survival:
- High in calories and nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and fiber
- Can grow in small spaces such as raised beds, containers, or even grow bags
- Stores well for months when kept in a cool, dark place
How to Grow Them:
- Plant seed potatoes in loose, well-draining soil
- Hill up soil around plants as they grow to encourage more tubers
- Harvest when the leaves die back, then cure them before storing
Storage Tip: Keep harvested potatoes in a dark, cool, and well-ventilated place to extend shelf life.
👉 Tara’s tip: If space is tight, try growing them in a stackable potato tower like this one on Amazon. Saves room and makes harvest a breeze.
2. Beans – The Protein Backup
Beans pull their own weight. They give back to the soil, are rich in plant-based protein, and store beautifully when dried.
Pole varieties are great for vertical growing too.
Why They’re Great for Survival:
- Excellent source of protein, fiber, and minerals
- Easy to grow with minimal space and effort
- Dried beans store for years without refrigeration
How to Grow Them:
- Plant beans after the last frost in warm, well-drained soil
- Choose bush beans for quick harvests or pole beans for continuous production
- Let pods dry on the vine before harvesting for storage
Storage Tip: Store dried beans in airtight containers away from moisture for long-term use.
3. Corn – The Old Reliable
A true staple crop. Corn can be eaten fresh or dried and ground into flour. Bonus points: it’s kid-friendly and makes a cracking summer centerpiece in the garden.
Why It’s Great for Survival:
- High-yield crop that provides essential calories
- Can be stored dried for long-term use such as cornmeal or flour
- Can be eaten fresh, roasted, or ground into flour for baking
How to Grow It:
- Plant in blocks rather than single rows to ensure proper pollination
- Needs full sun and consistent watering
- Harvest when kernels are plump for fresh eating or leave to dry for storage
Storage Tip: Allow corn to dry completely on the stalk, then remove kernels and store in an airtight container.
4. Sweet Potatoes – Sunshine in Root Form
Sweet potatoes thrive in heat, love a long season, and keep well through winter. They’re loaded with vitamins and feel like a treat.
Why They’re Great for Survival:
- Produces more food per plant than many other crops
- High in fiber and essential nutrients
- Stores well for up to a year in the right conditions
How to Grow Them:
- Start with “slips” (sprouted cuttings) rather than seeds
- Plant in loose, well-draining soil and give them plenty of space to spread
- Harvest before frost and cure for long-term storage
Storage Tip: Cure sweet potatoes by keeping them in a warm, humid place for 10 to 14 days before storing them in a cool, dry area.
5. Cabbage – The Super Green That Keeps on Giving
Cabbage is hardy, reliable, and good for more than just coleslaw. Ferment it into sauerkraut and you’ve got a gut-friendly superfood that lasts all winter.
Why It’s Great for Survival:
- Packed with vitamins C and K for immune support
- Can survive in cooler temperatures and be grown year-round
- Perfect for fermenting into sauerkraut, which extends its shelf life
How to Grow It:
- Plant in early spring or late summer for a cool-season crop
- Space plants well to allow heads to develop fully
- Harvest when heads are firm and dense
Storage Tip: Store fresh cabbage in a cool cellar for months, or ferment it into sauerkraut for even longer preservation.
6. Winter Squash – Long-Term Gold
Butternut, acorn, Hubbard—these squashes store for months and cook up beautifully. They’re ideal for soups, roasts, and even baby food.
Why It’s Great for Survival:
- Produces large amounts of food per plant
- Rich in fiber, vitamins A and C, and healthy carbohydrates
- Stores for six months or more when properly cured
How to Grow It:
- Plant after the last frost in full sun
- Give vines plenty of space to spread
- Harvest when the skin hardens and cure before storage
Storage Tip: Keep winter squash in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness for months.
Now that you know the best survival crops, let’s look at how to start your own survival garden, even if you are short on space or experience.
How to Start Your Survival Garden Today
Now that you know which crops can keep you fed no matter what, it’s time to start growing. Whether you have a backyard, a small patio, or just a few containers, you can create a productive survival garden with the right approach.
Choosing the Right Crops for Your Climate
Not all crops grow well in every region, so selecting varieties suited to your local climate is key. Some crops, like sweet potatoes and squash, thrive in warm weather, while others, like cabbage and beans, can handle cooler temperatures.
- For warm climates: Sweet potatoes, squash, corn
- For cooler climates: Potatoes, cabbage, beans
- For unpredictable weather: Hardy crops like potatoes and beans can tolerate a range of conditions
See our USDA article here, or check your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone or local growing guide to ensure the best planting times for your area.
Simple Beginner Gardening Tips
Starting a survival garden doesn’t require years of experience. By following a few basic principles, you can set yourself up for a successful harvest.
- Start small and expand – It’s better to begin with a few easy-to-grow crops and scale up as you gain confidence.
- Use quality soil – Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive garden. Mix in compost to improve nutrients.
- Water consistently – Avoid overwatering or underwatering by checking soil moisture regularly.
- Rotate crops – Plant different crops each season to prevent soil depletion and reduce pest problems.
- Protect your plants – Use mulch to retain moisture and discourage weeds, and consider row covers to shield plants from pests.
How to Maximize Yield in Small Spaces
Not everyone has a large backyard, but even a small space can produce a significant amount of food. If you are limited on space, try these strategies:
- Grow vertically – Use trellises for beans, squash, and climbing crops to save ground space.
- Use containers – Potatoes, beans, and cabbage can thrive in large pots or grow bags.
- Try succession planting – Instead of planting everything at once, stagger plantings to ensure a continuous harvest.
- Choose high-yield crops – Potatoes, beans, and squash give the most food for the least effort.
A survival garden doesn’t need to be complicated. By starting with a few essential crops and expanding over time, you can secure your food supply and gain the confidence to grow more.
👇 Subscribe below for lazy-friendly gardening tips, how-tos, and exclusive access to our printable library—including flowcharts, planners, cheat sheets, lawn equipment no-start flow chart troubleshooting guides and more!
🍅 A little dirt under your nails today = a plate of homegrown goodness tomorrow.
See you in the garden,
—Tara 🌿
You may find the following links useful:
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Tara Cunningham is the green-thumbed half of Lawnmowerfixed.com, where she shares simple, no-fuss gardening tips for time-poor homeowners.
She’s a lifelong plant lover with a soft spot for cherry tomatoes, shady corners, and low-maintenance herbs.