Vegetables: Best ROI Crops for the Home Garden

Vegetable

Cherry Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme

60–70 Days to harvest

12 lb Avg yield

$42.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-2 inches/week, consistent moisture to reduce cracking ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Winter Squash

Cucurbita maxima

85–100 Days to harvest

12 lb Avg yield

$23.88 Est. value

💧 Heavy during establishment; reduce to moderate once vines run, 1-2 inches/week ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Jerusalem Artichoke

Helianthus tuberosus

100–150 Days to harvest

8 lb Avg yield

$28.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; drought-tolerant once established, 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

60–85 Days to harvest

10 lb Avg yield

$17.80 Est. value

💧 Regular, 1–2 inches/week; consistent moisture critical ☀️ Full sun (6–8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

55–70 Days to harvest

8 lb Avg yield

$14.24 Est. value

💧 Heavy; 1–2 inches/week, consistent moisture critical to prevent bitter fruit ☀️ Full sun (6–8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Garden Pea

Pisum sativum

55–70 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$9.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, avoid waterlogging ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Tomatillo

Physalis philadelphica

75–100 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$10.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours minimum)

Vegetable

Zucchini

Cucurbita pepo

50–65 Days to harvest

10 lb Avg yield

$10.00 Est. value

💧 Deep watering 1-2 inches/week; consistent moisture prevents blossom drop ☀️ Full sun (6–8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Napa Cabbage

Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis

70–80 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$8.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent moisture throughout head formation ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Pumpkin

Cucurbita pepo

90–120 Days to harvest

12 lb Avg yield

$9.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-2 inches/week, at base not foliage ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Vegetable

Hot Pepper

Capsicum annuum

70–85 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$10.47 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-2 inches/week, reduce slightly once fruit sets ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours preferred)

Vegetable

Butternut Squash

Cucurbita moschata

85–110 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$8.75 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, reduce as fruits mature ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Vegetable

Romanesco

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

75–100 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$10.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent throughout head development ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Okra

Abelmoschus esculentus

50–65 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$6.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week once established, drought-tolerant ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours minimum)

Vegetable

Kale

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

55–75 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$7.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1–1.5 inches/week, consistent moisture reduces bitterness ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4–6 hours minimum; accepts afternoon shade)

Vegetable

Brussels Sprouts

Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera

85–110 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$6.75 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent through fall ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours minimum)

Vegetable

Eggplant

Solanum melongena

70–85 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$7.50 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1–1.5 inches/week; consistent moisture prevents bitter fruit and blossom drop ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours; heat-loving, more sun = more fruit)

Vegetable

Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

45–65 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$5.25 Est. value

💧 Regular; keep soil consistently moist, lettuce has a shallow root system ☀️ Partial to full sun (4–6 hours); afternoon shade beneficial in warm weather

Vegetable

Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

70–90 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Vegetable

Amaranth

Amaranthus cruentus

50–75 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Light to moderate; drought-tolerant once established, 0.5-1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Celeriac

Apium graveolens var. rapaceum

100–120 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$6.00 Est. value

💧 Heavy; 1.5-2 inches/week, consistent - stress causes cracked roots ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Cauliflower

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

80–100 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$7.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent - moisture stress causes buttoning ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours minimum)

Vegetable

Artichoke

Cynara scolymus

85–100 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$8.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1.5-2 inches/week, reduce in winter dormancy ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Green Bean

Phaseolus vulgaris

50–65 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$6.78 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week, consistent moisture from flowering through harvest ☀️ Full sun (6–8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Rutabaga

Brassica napus var. napobrassica

80–100 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$3.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, consistent ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Sweet Potato

Ipomoea batatas

90–120 Days to harvest

4 lb Avg yield

$7.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, drought-tolerant once established ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours)

Vegetable

Celery

Apium graveolens

85–120 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Heavy; 1.5-2 inches/week, sensitive to moisture stress ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

65–90 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week once established ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Arugula

Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa

28–45 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week, avoid drought stress during leaf development ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4–6 hours; afternoon shade extends season in warm weather)

Vegetable

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

70–120 Days to harvest

3 lb Avg yield

$3.75 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent to prevent head splitting ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Sweet Pepper

Capsicum annuum

70–90 Days to harvest

2 lb Avg yield

$6.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1–1.5 inches/week; consistent moisture critical at fruit set to prevent blossom drop ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours; more sun = more fruit)

Vegetable

Fava Bean

Vicia faba

75–100 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Swiss Chard

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

55–70 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$3.50 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1–1.5 inches/week; consistent moisture produces tender leaves ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4–6 hours minimum; heat tolerant with afternoon shade)

Vegetable

Edamame

Glycine max

70–90 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-1.5 inches/week, critical at pod fill ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Shallot

Allium cepa var. aggregatum

90–120 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$5.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week during bulbing, reduce as tops fall ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours)

Vegetable

Potato

Solanum tuberosum

70–90 Days to harvest

5 lb Avg yield

$6.25 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1-2 inches/week, consistent to prevent hollow heart ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Snap Pea

Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon

55–70 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$4.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, reduce after pods form ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Mustard Greens

Brassica juncea

35–50 Days to harvest

0.75 lb Avg yield

$2.25 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (4-6 hours acceptable)

Vegetable

Broccoli

Brassica oleracea var. italica

80–100 Days to harvest

1.5 lb Avg yield

$3.75 Est. value

💧 Consistent 1-1.5 inches/week; even moisture prevents hollow stems and premature bolting ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Bok Choy

Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis

45–60 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$2.50 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent moisture reduces bitterness ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Collard Greens

Brassica oleracea var. viridis

60–75 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$2.50 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Parsnip

Pastinaca sativa

100–130 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$2.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, consistent for straight roots ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Leek

Allium ampeloprasum

100–130 Days to harvest

0.75 lb Avg yield

$2.63 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent - irregular watering causes split shanks ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Radicchio

Cichorium intybus var. foliosum

60–85 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$2.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Mizuna

Brassica rapa var. nipposinica

20–40 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$2.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Purslane

Portulaca oleracea

50–60 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$2.00 Est. value

💧 Light; extremely drought-tolerant, 0.5 inches/week or less ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Scallion

Allium fistulosum

60–70 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$2.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun (4-6 hours acceptable)

Vegetable

Tatsoi

Brassica rapa var. narinosa

25–45 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$2.00 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Kohlrabi

Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes

45–60 Days to harvest

0.75 lb Avg yield

$1.88 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent to prevent woody bulb ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis

730–1095 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$4.50 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week during active growth, reduce in dormancy ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Carrot

Daucus carota

70–80 Days to harvest

1 lb Avg yield

$1.75 Est. value

💧 Consistent 1 inch/week; uneven moisture causes forked or cracked roots ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours minimum)

Vegetable

Endive

Cichorium endivia

85–100 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$2.00 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Mâche

Valerianella locusta

45–60 Days to harvest

0.25 lb Avg yield

$2.00 Est. value

💧 Light to moderate; 0.5-1 inch/week, tolerates cold and wet ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Turnip

Brassica rapa subsp. rapa

30–60 Days to harvest

0.75 lb Avg yield

$1.31 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, consistent for tender roots ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours minimum)

Vegetable

Radish

Raphanus sativus

25–30 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$1.25 Est. value

💧 Consistent 1 inch/week; dry soil causes pithy, hot-tasting roots and accelerates bolting ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (6+ hours optimal; tolerates 4 hours)

Vegetable

Lima Bean

Phaseolus lunatus

65–90 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$1.75 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, reduce after pods form ☀️ Full sun (6+ hours)

Vegetable

Spinach

Spinacia oleracea

37–50 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$1.75 Est. value

💧 Consistent moisture, approximately 1 inch per week; drought stress accelerates bolting faster than almost anything else you can do wrong ☀️ Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade in spring extends the harvest window by slowing heat accumulation on the leaves

Vegetable

Beet

Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

55–70 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$1.25 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week, consistent to prevent woody roots ☀️ Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours)

Vegetable

Onion

Allium cepa

90–120 Days to harvest

0.75 lb Avg yield

$1.13 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1 inch/week during bulbing, reduce as tops fall ☀️ Full sun (6-8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Garlic

Allium sativum

240–280 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$2.50 Est. value

💧 Moderate; 1 inch/week during active growth, reduce sharply as foliage yellows in June ☀️ Full sun (6–8 hours minimum)

Vegetable

Corn

Zea mays

65–90 Days to harvest

0.5 lb Avg yield

$0.40 Est. value

💧 Regular; 1-1.5 inches/week, critical at silking and ear fill ☀️ Full sun (8+ hours minimum)