About GrowVsBuyMore: Data-Driven Gardening Advice
Why we measure garden yields in dollars and square feet.
Most gardening advice assumes you have acres of land, endless free time, and an unlimited budget for cedar raised beds. If you are starting on a budget, our Start Here beginner guide lays out how to avoid spending fifty dollars on supplies just to harvest three cherry tomatoes.
We replace romanticized homesteading ideals with direct math. Through our What Should I Grow database, we track startup costs, harvest volume, and grocery receipts so you invest only in crops that truly cut your food bill.
Real startup costs first
Seeds, soil bags, and containers calculated before planting so there are no surprise expenses.
Direct grocery store parity
Compare harvest weight with actual supermarket prices to spot real savings versus costly experiments.
Tested for small spaces
Proven yields for apartment windowsills, balconies, and 5-gallon grow bags without high-end gear.
Have questions about our calculation methodology or editorial process? Read our Policies & Contact guidelines.
Setup cost
$4.50
Grocery value
$38.00
Space used
1 sq ft
How we calculate every crop score
We test grocery prices against home harvest yields so you only plant crops that save real money. New to home food growing? Start with our Start Here guide to learn the fundamentals, or review the exact methodology behind our ratings, cost tables, and budget guides below.
We track regional supermarket produce prices across organic and conventional staples every season. You see exact per-pound store costs compared directly against home seed and soil expenses, as reflected in our Growing Guide by Region.
Theoretical seed-packet yield estimates are often inflated. We record harvest weight per square foot in realistic compact setups, including 5-gallon grow bags and window planters.
We count potting mix, containers, trellises, water, and seeds. If a vegetable costs $40 in supplies to yield $15 in food over its lifetime, we explicitly flag it as negative ROI.
No seed vendor, pot manufacturer, or garden brand pays for ranking positions in our database. Every crop score is calculated purely from financial and spatial return.
Principles behind our recommendations
Gardening should lower your grocery bills, not add surprise expenses. When deciding what to grow for maximum returns, we design all guides around accessible, budget-first growing methods for renters and homeowners alike.
Try the data tools
Find high-value crops for your budget
Filter vegetables by days to harvest, startup cost, and estimated grocery savings per square foot.