The books suggest focusing on crops that are productive, forgiving and good for storing, because a survival garden has to earn its space.
What the book recommends for beginners
The book points beginners to crops that are productive, pest-resistant and nutritionally important. Its list, with its own reasons:
- Courgettes (zucchini) and summer squash: one or two plants give a good supply and are very easy to grow.
- Bush and pole beans: minimal care, and excellent for preserving.
- Leafy greens such as kale, chard and spinach: nutritious, tolerant of partial shade and can be harvested repeatedly through the season.
- Root vegetables such as carrots, beetroot, radishes and turnips: reliable producers that store well for winter.
- Tomatoes: a staple for most people, and can be kept by canning or freezing.
- Winter squash and pumpkins: planted in late spring, harvested in autumn and stored for months without refrigeration.
- Potatoes: calorie-dense, long-keeping and able to grow in a wide range of soils.
Plant perennials in year one
The book says fruit trees, berry bushes and perennial vegetables should go in during your first year, because they take time to produce. They will not give much at first, but within three to five years they become some of your most productive and lowest-maintenance food sources. Its examples are apples, pears, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, asparagus and perennial herbs such as thyme, oregano and chives.
How to choose for your own plot
- Pick crops you will actually eat; stored food you dislike is wasted effort.
- Favour crops that keep: dried beans, roots, winter squash and potatoes.
- Check what suits your climate and growing season locally, since the book's list is general.
- Start with a few and add more as you gain confidence.
- Plan how each crop will be stored or preserved (food supply planning).
Keep the size in proportion
Choosing crops goes hand in hand with choosing garden size, so read how to plan a survival garden too. To keep seed costs and dependence down over time, see seed saving for beginners.
The Survival Garden guide covers crops alongside soil, pests, watering and seed saving. For the wider plan, Off Grid Survival for Beginners shows how the garden fits with everything else.