Vegetable Yield - Per Person Planning

Vegetable Yield - Per Person Planning

A primary concern is an ongoing source of sufficient calories. A short analysis of calorie crops:

Corn. Per ear, around 600 kernels, 80 calories, 3 g protein, 18 g carb. Yield per 100 sq. ft. around 50 ears over an average 80 day growing period, or around 50 calories per day. Growing constantly it would take 4000 sq. ft. to feed a person, who would have to eat 25 ears per day.

Rice: Growing constantly it would take 1350 sq. ft. to feed a person, who would have to eat 1.2 lbs. per day.

Potatoes: Growing constantly it would take 900 sq. ft. to feed a person, who would have to eat 5.9 lbs. per day. For optimal yields, an equal amount of sunlight and darkness/day is necessary. Potatoes typically have 50% more waste than edible yield produced.

Sweet Potatoes: Growing constantly it would take 400 sq. ft. to feed a person, and in that it has edible tubers and leaves, the person would eat 0.5 lb. of cooked leaves and 2.6 lb. of tubers per day. For optimal yields, an equal amount of sunlight and darkness/day is necessary.

Amaranthus: From data on the web, growing constantly is appears that yield per 100 sq. ft would be around 50 lbs, over a 40 day growing period, or 1.25 lb. per day, which appears to match the daily food calorie needs of a person, who would have to eat 1.17 lbs. per day. Reported to thrive in hot dry weather.

Of the above potentials, in Yuma I’ve only had success with sweet potatoes. A reasonable expected yield of sweet potato in backyard gardens ranges from 49.1 lb. to 73.7 lb. per 100 ft. sq. growing area of roots, with foliage production from 8.8 lb. to 12.2 lb per 100 ft. sq. The root can be a source of other nutritionally important dietary factors, such as vitamin A, ascorbic acid, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin.

Carbohydrates generally make up between 80 to 90 % of the dry weight of sweet potato roots, however the uncooked starch of the sweet potatoes is very resistant to the hydrolysis by amylase. When cooked, their susceptibility to the enzyme increases. Thus after cooking the easily hydrolysable starch fraction of sweet potato increases from 4% to 55%. Vines have a lower carbohydrate content but are higher in fibre and protein and so their principal nutritive value is as a source of vitamins and protein.

Sweet potatoes are considered to be somewhere between the sixth and the ninth most important food crop in the world.

Thought to originate in southern Mexico or Central America. A true 'poor man's crop', with most of the production done on a small or subsistence level. It is well suited to survive infertile tropical soils and to produce for farmers without fertilizers, irrigation, machinery or improved propagation stock. Sweet potato is an excellent dual-purpose food crop because its leaves are nutritious and are widely eaten. Though often grown as an annual, sweet potatoes are a perennial vine that can produce edible tubers and leaves for up to six years without replanting in tropical climates. In a system where the both the leaves and tubers are well managed for good yield, sweet potatoes can probably produce more nutrients per acre than other typical calorie crops. They have one of the highest returns of nutrients, relative to the time and effort expended, of any crop.

Tuber Per lb: 640 cal, 9.5 protein, 149 carb
Tuber Yield per 100 sq. ft. 82 lbs. over a 119 day growing period, or .68 lb. per day. Growing constantly it would take 450 sq. ft. to feed a person, who would have to eat 3.12 lb.+ per day.

Vine Per lb: 558 cal, 12.2 protein, ___ carb.
Vine Yield per 100 sq. ft. 14.68 lbs over the same 119 day period, or .12 lb. per day. Growing constantly it would take 3000 sq. ft. to feed a person, who would have to eat 3.6 lb. per day. Can be grown in the same location for up to 6 years. VERY cold sensitive. Leaf and root MUST be cooked.

If calories are covered, consider next vitamins to maintain essential body systems. Consider the tree Moringa. (Moringa oleifera or Moringa stenopetala) The tree rated really well as a “multivitamin” source, in particular the leaves are high in sulfur-contained amino acids methionine & cystine, often in short supply, and missing from yam leaves and vines (which are edible when cooked, unlike potato plants which are not). If I had to bug-out with just two plants to restart somewhere as a primary food source, it would be cuttings of yam and moringa.

Other names for it include horseradish tree and drumstick tree (India) and benzolive (Haiti). Moringa exemplifies the power and potential to be found among overlooked veggies. An extremely fast growing tree, it produces leaves like spinach and pods that look like giant green beans and taste like asparagus. Its seeds yield an excellent cooking oil. The seeds are also good for clarifying turbidity and making water fit for drinking.

Leaves are detoxifying. Strengthen immune system. Reduce blood pressure. Level out blood sugar. Mild antibiotic and fungicide (Pterygospermin). Aqueous seed extract as effective on Staphylococcus aureus as Neomycin. Ground roots as topical anti-inflamatory. Root bark contains alkaloid moringinine which acts as a cardiac stimulant and increases blood pressure. Aqueous extract of stem bark in low concentrations increases heart rate yet DECREASES the rate at high concentrations, with the effect of lowering blood pressure.

As a ballpark figure, 100 gram (3.52 ounce) of fresh leaves can be considered as a multivitamin. (Provided of course the trees are being grown in a medium with complete micronutrients.) This 3.52 ounce serving would also provide around 9.4g of “complete” protein. (21oz required if sole protein source). When the leaves are dried they retain most of the vitamin & protein benefits, now concentrated at around 3:1 due to water mass loss, meaning DRIED leaf doses would be 1.1oz for vitamins & around 7 ounce for protein.

WARNING – NOT A PRETTY THOUGHT: Envision a wicking bed growing box, 8’ x 8’, divided into four squares 4’ x 4’. Three moringa trees in three of the squares, and a toilet in the fourth. Consider this as a primary processing point for humanure.

Per lb. pods 118 cal, 11 protein, 16.8 carb
Yield per 100 sq. ft. yearly production 200 lbs. or .55 lb. per day, Growing constantly as a calorie crop it would take 3100 sq. ft. to feed a person, who would have to eat 17 lb. per day.

Per lb. leaves 418 cal, 30 protein, 61 carb
Yield per 100 sq. ft. yearly production 245lbs. or .67 lb. (10.72oz. or 303g) per day, Growing constantly as a calorie crop it would take 715 sq. ft. to feed a person, who would have to eat 4.8 lb. per day. To provide the 3.52 ounce (.22 lb.) would require a growing area of only around 32 sq. ft.

To propagate by cutting, allow stem cuttings (2nd+ year wood) to dry in a shaded area 3 days before inserting in growing medium.

Man does not live by bread, or calorie crops alone. The following are estimates of plants per person, intensive planting spacing, and amount of square feet to be planted for a little more variety in "American" crops. As I add up the space, for each person you are planting around 338 square feet.

Asparagus, inches spacing for intensive planting: 15
- number of square feet to be planted: 31.50
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
10 - 15 plants
10 - 15 plants

Beans, Lima, inches spacing for intensive planting:
4
- number of square feet to be planted: 3.30
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
15 - 16 plants
45 - 60 plants

Beans, Pole, inches spacing for intensive planting: 6
- number of square feet to be planted: 6.50
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
10 - 12 plants
16 - 20 plants
Beans, Bush, inches spacing for intensive planting: 4
- number of square feet to be planted: 8.25
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
30 - 45 plants
45 - 60 plants

Beets, inches spacing for intensive planting: 2
- number of square feet to be planted: 2.70
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
30 - 60 plants
60 - 120 plants

Broccoli, inches spacing for intensive planting: 12
- number of square feet to be planted: 8.00
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
3 - 5 plants
5 - 6 plants

Brussels Sprouts, in. spacing for intensive planting: 15

- number of square feet to be planted: 10.90
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
2 - 5 plants
5 - 8 plants

Cabbage, inches spacing for intensive planting: 15
- number of square feet to be planted: 12.50
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
3 - 4 plants
5 - 10 plants

Cabbage, Chinese, inches spacing for intensive planting: 10
- number of square feet to be planted: 5.50
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
4 - 12 plants
4 - 12 plants

Carrots, inches spacing for intensive planting: 2
- number of square feet to be planted: 2.70
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
30 - 60 plants
60 - 90 plants

Cauliflower, inches spacing for intensive planting: 15
- number of square feet to be planted: 17.20
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
3 - 5 plants
8 - 12 plants

Chard, Swiss, inches spacing for intensive planting: 6
- number of square feet to be planted: 2.75
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
3 - 5 plants
8 - 12 plants
Collards & Kale, in. spacing for intensive planting: 12
- number of square feet to be planted: 10.00
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
5 - 10 plants
5 - 10 plants

Eggplant, inches spacing for intensive planting: 18, seeds sprout at 80 F.
- number of square feet to be planted: 9.00
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
2 - 3 plants
2 - 3 plants

Lettuce, Head, in. spacing for intensive planting: 10
- number of square feet to be planted: 16.80
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
12 plants
12 plants

Lettuce, Leaf, in. spacing for intensive planting: 4
- number of square feet to be planted: 6.60
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
30 plants
30 plants

Muskmelon, inches spacing for intensive planting: 18
- number of square feet to be planted: 6.75
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
3 - 5 plants
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Mustard, inches spacing for intensive planting: 6
- number of square feet to be planted: 7.50
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
10 - 20 plants
20 - 30 plants

Okra, inches spacing for intensive planting: 12
- number of square feet to be planted: 10.00
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
4 - 6 plants
6 - 10 plants

Onions (plants/sets), inches spacing for intensive planting: 2
- number of square feet to be planted: 5.90
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
18 - 30 plants
180 - 300 plants

Peas, inches spacing for intensive planting: 2
- number of square feet to be planted: 9.90
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
90 - 120 plants
240 - 360 plants

Peppers, inches spacing for intensive planting: 12
- number of square feet to be planted: 6.00
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
3 - 5 plants
3 - 5 plants

Potatoes, Irish, in spacing for intensive planting: 10
- number of square feet to be planted: 82.80
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
60 - 120 plants
60 - 120 plants

Pumpkins, inches spacing for intensive planting: 24
- number of square feet to be planted: 8.00
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
1 - 2 hills
1 - 2 hills

Radishes, inches spacing for intensive planting: 2
- number of square feet to be planted: 0.54
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
18 - 30 plants
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Spinach, nutritional reputation lies in its high oxalic acid content inches spacing for intensive planting: 4
- number of square feet to be planted: 4.95
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
15 - 30 plants
30 - 45 plants

Squash, Summer, in spacing for intensive planting: 18
- number of square feet to be planted: 9.00
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
2 - 3 hills
2 - 3 hills

Squash, Winter, in spacing for intensive planting: 24
- number of square feet to be planted: 8.00
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
1 - 3 hills
1 - 3 hills

Tomato stems will sprout roots if buried, so clone the best. Spacing for intensive planting: 18
- number of square feet to be planted: 18.00
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
3 - 5 plants
5 - 10 plants

Turnip, inches spacing for intensive planting: 4
- number of square feet to be planted: 3.30
- to achieve a crop of fresh and storage respectively of:
15 - 30 plants
15 - 30 plants