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Tomato vs Sweet Basil

Side-by-side ROI comparison based on USDA average yield and retail price data.

Metric Tomato Sweet Basil
Seed cost $3.50 $3.50
Days to maturity 60–85 50–75
Avg yield (lb) 10 lb 0.5 lb
Retail price/lb $1.78 $14.99
Gross harvest value $17.80 $7.50
Net value $14.30 $4.00
ROI multiple 5.1× 2.1×

Values are per plant/packet. Retail prices from USDA AMS data. Net value = gross harvest value minus seed cost.