William Kent told us to garden as though we will live forever. It makes sense, then, that many gardeners take comfort in knowing that their backyard can provide more than just a pretty place to sit and take in the fresh air; they can be a valuable food source, too. Especially if you take your inspiration from the crops preppers are prioritizing in their survival gardens.
Yes, when it comes to creating a self-sufficient garden, there’s more to it than mastering the basics of growing your own vegetables. If you find your way to the bleakest corners of Reddit, in fact, many survivalists will inform you that it’s all about figuring out which crops will serve you best should… well, should the worst happen.
Of course, it’s unlikely you’re stocking a bunker of your own. Still, it’s a good idea to take a step back and think about the fruits and vegetables that are calorie-dense, reliable, storable, and versatile, too. Survival garden crops tick every single one of these boxes, and then some.
Must-Grow Survival Garden Crops
When supermarket shelves empty quickly – whether due to a storm, supply chain hiccup, or even just inflation spikes – it can be reassuring to know that you have everything you need growing in your own edible garden.
It’s not exactly a new trend; during World War I and World War II, US citizens were encouraged to plant food at home to reduce the strain on the national supply. All it takes is a quick scan of the headlines to make it easy to see why these so-called 'Victory Gardens' are slowly creeping back into fashion.
With that in mind, then, take a look at the crops preppers are prioritizing in their survival gardens…
1. Potatoes
Potatoes are a classic survival garden crop for good reason; they’re calorie dense, grow in a wide range of soils, and can be stored for months in a cool, dark space. One pound of seed potatoes can yield 10 pounds or more at harvest, too!
Not to get all Samwise Gamgee about it, but there’s a lot to be said also for the humble potato’s versatility; you can boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew – some people even use them to make breads and dumplings.
For maximum shelf life, choose maincrop varieties with thick skins and cure them for a couple of weeks before storing. Try the CZ Grain Store’s Mixed Seed Potatoes for Planting via Amazon if you want to get started quickly.
2. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are, of course, one of the crops preppers are prioritizing in their survival gardens; they’re packed to the brim with vitamins A and C, along with fiber and complex carbohydrates to boot.
Unlike regular potatoes, sweet potatoes are warm-season crops, thriving in long, hot summers (which might just be what we need with our ever-shifting climate). Once cured, their storage potential is impressive; think up to a year in the right conditions.
Many preppers like sweet potatoes, too, because they’re relatively pest-resistant and can be propagated from slips (shoots from a mature tuber), making them easy to grow season after season without new seed. Amazon’s Generic 50pcs Sweet Potato Vegetable Seeds Orange, then, is a great long-term investment for your garden.
3. Beans and Legumes
Dried beans – from black beans to pinto to kidney – are another prepper staple. They’re protein-rich, store well for years when dried properly, are packed to bursting with fiber, and can be grown easily in most gardens.
If you’re lacking in space, don’t despair; pole beans are ideal for vertical gardening, producing heavily over time without taking up too much room. Bush beans mature faster and are often used for canning. Legumes, too, enrich the soil with nitrogen, making them excellent companion plants in a crop rotation plan.
As a survival garden crop, beans offer what few other crops can: plant-based protein and shelf-stable calories. Try picking up something like Everwilde Farms' 100 Black Turtle Dry Bean Seeds Gold Vault Jumbo Bulk Seed Packet from Walmart in bulk.
4. Corn and Grains
We know, we know; buttered corn feels more like a summer barbecue staple than one of the crops preppers are prioritizing in their survival gardens. Happily enough, though, field corn and flour corn varieties (like Walmart’s Hopi Blue Flour Corn) can be dried, ground, and stored as a staple carbohydrate. They can even form the base of tortillas, cornbreads, and polenta!
Quinoa and amaranth are also rising in prepper popularity, as they thrive in varied conditions and yield high-protein seeds. Quinoa, in particular, has gained a lot of attention for its balance of amino acids and ability to withstand poor soils.
For those looking to grow calorie-dense crops that can scale up quickly, then, pick up a bag of Walmart’s Brightest Rainbow Quinoa Seeds for Planting. Stat.
5. Peanuts and Other Nuts
Nuts may not be the first thing that comes to mind in a survival garden, but peanuts are high in protein, fats, and calories – all essential in times of scarcity. They can be stored dried and roasted for long periods, and they grow well in sandy soil.
Of course, you could up the ante with tree nuts like hazelnuts, walnuts or pecans. Because, sure, a Hardy Pecan Tree from Nature Hills (ideally suited to USDA Growing Zones 5-9) is absolutely a long-term investment, but it will produce delicious and nutritious nuts every single year once it’s established in your garden.
6. Edible Flowers and Dual-Purpose Crops
If you’ve ever watched a video on doomsday gardening, you’ll know that preppers are – as the name suggests – prepared for pretty much anything. And, yes, this sadly includes any hungry neighbors pilfering their hard-grown fruit and vegetables.
With this in mind, it’s unsurprising that dahlias, nasturtiums, and sunflowers often pop up among the crops preppers are prioritizing in their survival gardens. Hostas, too!
Yes, whether it’s the petals, edible tubers, or tasty seeds, these edible flowers keep pollinators buzzing, camouflage your survival planting, and serve double duty in the kitchen.
7. Herbs
It’s all well and good planting foods for nutrient-dense meals, but nobody wants to tuck into bland meals day after day.
Thankfully, starting a herb garden is easy enough, even on a windowsill, and all varieties promise to pack some serious flavor with very little effort. No wonder basil and mint tend to (ha) crop up on many a survival garden’s planting list, eh?
Naturally, there is more to gardening than the crops preppers are prioritizing in their survival gardens. In fact, with a little care and thought, you can turn your backyard into a thriving source of food, no matter what you’ve already planted; tomatoes can be jarred, cucumbers can be pickled, squash and zucchini can be transformed into flours, Swiss chard and kale provide some much-needed veg over the winter months, beets can be eaten in their entirety (don’t forget the greens!) and so on.
Still, there’s no point denying the appeal of a tried-and-tested survival garden crop; potatoes and sweet potatoes provide bulk and storage, while beans bring protein. Corn, quinoa, and other grains offer shelf-stable carbs. Peanuts and nuts supply essential fats. And edible flowers and herbs add a little unexpected va-va-voom to meals, too.
Even if you’re not a prepper, these crops can bring peace of mind. Hardy and dependable, they’re undeniably rewarding to grow. If nothing else, they’ll put a hearty meal on the table, which is always something to feel proud of.
