The information we share today is: 10 best gardening plants for survival. For some, gardening is a great hobby that lets you spend time in nature and grow stuff that you can enjoy eating. For many more, it goes beyond hobby time and is a lifestyle of health.
Gardening has many awesome advantages where you get to pick your crop seeds, control the growing process, harvest, and process your own food right onto your kitchen table. You can even jar and can to store for the future. What’s great is that you know exactly what your food has been exposed to, offering you the safest way to eat.
With that said, did you know that there is another big advantage of your gardening skills? It just so happens that by knowing how to grow your own food and how to store it, you have some of the best insurance against anything going wrong with society in the future. Let me explain.
I spend a lot of my time focusing on preparing for the rare chance that civilization as we know might come crashing down. While I know that the odds of that ever happening are extremely low, I can’t help but enjoy thinking through the possibilities and how to prepare for them now.
For me, learning survival skills are exciting where someone is put into a situation where it is just them and nature. The more you know about nature, the more likely you are to survive any situation.
Ironically, it’s just like gardening where the more you know about nature, the more likely your plants will survive. One crucial survival skill is knowing how to grow plants. In fact, it is one of the top survival tips that I have captured in my learning over at Trek Warrior. For Gardening will have you know 10 best gardening plants for survival.
Plant Strategy For Survival
So how do you put your gardening skills to use in survival situations? Well, it turns out that there are certain plants that are not only easier to grow, but also are more efficient in providing calories and nutrients.
That’s why it makes sense to put together a plan of plants that would serve you better when food becomes scarce in a future doomsday scenario. You want your garden to provide the most nutrients with the least amount of work and raw materials to create it.
In a search for maximizing a garden’s outputs for survival, I put together a list of the top 10 plants that I believe give you a well-rounded nutritional intake, but that are not too hard to grow and don’t require many resources.
When food is scarce, you want enough calories to provide you energy to continue work activity, and you also want a wide range of nutrients so that you don’t get malnourished. Sometimes, it’s challenging to get these two in the same plant. Therefore, it’s important to have a nice mix of plants to cover these areas well.
By having a good plant strategy, you can acquire seeds now that when stored properly, can last you and your family for a long time in preparation in case the need ever arises to use them for survival.
Let’s jump into our plant list next to see which ones made the cut. Keep in mind that I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice.
1. Corn – Best Gardening Plants For Survival

- Quality Peaches and Cream Corn seeds packaged by Seed Needs. Packets are 4″ wide by 4.675″ tall and come with a full colored illustration on the front side, as well as detailed sowing instructions on the reverse.
- Peaches and Cream Corn is a hybrid variety that produces delicious, 8 & 1/2 inch ears. Each ear is populated with roughly 20 rows of tightly packed kernels, ranging in color from creamy yellow to golden yellow.
- The plants themselves are known to grow to a towering height of roughly 6 feet tall and can spread roughly 18 inches wide.
- Peaches and Cream is among one of our best sellers and is sought after for it’s rich, sweet flavoring. The crops are ready for harvesting in roughly 80 to 85 days.
- All Corn seeds sold by Seed Needs are Non-GMO based seed products and are intended for the current & the following growing season. All seeds are produced from open pollinated plants, stored in a temperature controlled facility and constantly moved out due to popularity.
Besides having a decent density of calories, corn offers lots of health benefits to the human body. It may not be the healthiest vegetable, but it contains flavonoids, which are important in the prevention of cancer and other illnesses. It also contains antioxidants and lutein that help to promote healthy skin and eyesight.
Corn seeds should be planted at least two weeks after the spring frost. The seeds should be planted one inch deep and should be separated by about 5 inches. If you have doubts about the fertility of your soil, you can use fertilizers at planting time. It is important to water your corn plants well when you plant. You should know some ways to improve soil quality to help your garden survive.
2. Potatoes

Potatoes contain around 100 calories per serving. They are rich in vitamin C, B6, and potassium. In addition, potatoes are a healthy source of mental and physical energy. These foods are free of cholesterol, sodium, and fats.
For the best results, you should grow potatoes in straight but shallow trenches. These trenches should be made about three feet apart. The seeds themselves should be planted about 12 inches apart. Make sure you plant them 3 inches deep in the soil. As the plants grow, you should continuously cover the tubers with soil.
3. Tomatoes – Best Gardening Plants For Survival

- FRESH SEEDS PACKAGED FOR CURRENT SEASON with germination rates of 90% or more so you know nearly every seed will give you a healthy plant full of delicious fruit.
- USDA ORGANIC & GMO-FREE Seeds ensure that your garden and the food that it produces are all safe, healthy and all natural!
- HEIRLOOM & OPEN POLLINATED variety produces delicious old-time flavor and also “breeds true”, meaning you can grow your own seed season after season!
- BEAUTIFUL SEED PACKET with photos and planting instructions on the back provide you everything you need for successful growing, while also making a great gift idea!
- GUARANTEED TO GROW – Sweet Yards Seed Co only sells fresh seeds with high germination rates. We guarantee your seeds will germinate or your money back, no questions asked within 60 days.
Tomatoes are among the healthiest foods in the world. They are well-known for their antioxidant properties as well as their high lycopene content. Consuming tomatoes is a great way to maintain your bone health. Tomatoes have also been strongly linked to good heart health. They are super great for Men’s prostate health as well.
The crop should be grown in rows, all of which are spaced by about 50 inches. This large spacing is intended to prevent the spread of diseases among them, and this occurs frequently. I’ve grown my tomatoes tight before and Aphids (small white bugs) love spreading from plant to plant.
Slow-release fertilizer should be used at planting time to provide nourishment to the young tomatoes. If you use too much fertilizer on your young plant, it may not produce as desired.
4. Carrots

Carrots grow easily and can be used in a wide variety of dishes. They are effective in reducing the level of cholesterol in the human body. This means they can play a great role in preventing heart disease and cancer. Carrots also maintain proper vision and boost the immune system.
They should be grown about four weeks before the last spring frost date. The plants should be grown in full sunlight, although a little shade will not affect their growth. Their planting should be in rows that are spaced by afoot. The seeds should be separated by about 4 inches.
5. Beans – Best Gardening Plants For Survival
- CERTIFIED ORGANIC SEEDS – USDA Organic green bean seeds, garden seeds grown right here in the USA!
- HEIRLOOM SEEDS – Heirloom vegetable seeds, Non GMO Verified; organic & pure heirloom bean seeds.
- BEST VALUE – Approx. 125 organic green bean seeds per packet means you get the best for less!
- MORE FROM *SEEDZ* – Don’t miss our broccoli, bunching onions, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, garden peas, Lacinato kale, lettuce blend, red cabbage, spinach, swiss chard & more!
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Beans are great protein sources and are even used as alternatives to meat. They are some of the best sources of plant-based protein and gardening plants for survival . Beans are also rich in complex carbohydrates, potassium, fiber, and other essential vitamins.
Beans should be grown in full sunlight. Ideally, the soil in your garden should be well-drained and fertile. For optimum results, you will need to apply fertilizer regularly to your crops. In fact, you should prepare your garden with compost and manure. Planting should be done a week after the last frost in spring.
6. Peas – Best Gardening Plants For Survival
Peas are rich in many important nutrients. Most importantly, they provide high amounts of potassium, vitamin K and C, dietary fiber, manganese, and phosphorous. They supply smaller proportions of vitamin B6, vitamin B2, proteins, and zinc.
In your garden, the plant should be grown 1 inch deep and two inches apart. If your soil is very dry, plant the seeds even deeper. The seeds should be grown about five weeks before the last spring frost. You should plant the crop when the soil is warm, but you should never leave the seeds in wet soil. Peas should not be over-fertilized as they are extremely sensitive to nitrogen.
7. Beets

- Unbeatable beets: dark-red, extremely Sweet flesh in an easy to sow tape. Seeds are pre-spaced.
- Each packet contains 45 seeds per tape
- Sow outdoors in early spring after the average last frost date and harvest in 59 days.
- Plant Height is 12″. plant spread is 3″. yields 3″ roots.
- Annual for all growing zones from 1-11. Sunlight exposure = full-sun.
Beets are another group of plants that are highly beneficial to the body and one of the best gardening plants for survival . They are rich in numerous essential nutrients such as iron, manganese, vitamin B, copper, and potassium. Adding beets to your regular diet is a wise decision as far as your health is concerned.
Beets grow best in cooler seasons. They grow best in soils with a pH of above 5.5. In more acidic soils, the crops will have stunted growth. Beets will grow best if exposed to high levels of phosphorous. It is important to avoid using too much nitrogen as this can be harmful to the plants.
8. Cabbages
- Golden Acre Cabbage is super healthy and also low calorie!
- Green Vegetables are beneficial to one’s health
- Cabbages can be eaten raw or you can boil, steam roast or sautee them
- Studies have shown that Green Cabbage guards against cancer, especially colon cancer.
- Green Cabbage is loaded with nutrients. The leaves are exceptionally rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- Cabbages are a notable source of fiber. As such, they are important for the prevention of constipation as well as diarrhea. The vegetable also serves to prevent obesity, jaundice, eczema, scurvy, and arthritis.
You can start planting cabbages indoors about 7 weeks before the last spring frost day. The plants should be transplanted to the garden three weeks before the last spring frost date. Spacing will be determined by cabbage head size. Typically, they have grown 12 to 24 inches apart. They should be grown in rows.
9. Squash

- SOW AND GROW: Your own home garden with these organic butternut squash seeds that flourish in soil & goes right to your kitchen ingredients as fresh as can be. Non-GMO & free of chemicals & pesticides.
- VEGETABLE GARDEN: Hone your green thumb for these organic vegetable seeds. Plant & watch them grow in gardens, garden beds, pots, planters & more. Grows best outside.
- SEEDS FOR PLANTING: These certified organic seeds are chemical-free & non-GMO. Moisture-proof packets with a resealable zipper keep seeds viable for up to 5 years. Perfect especially for heirloom seeds.
- SEED TO PLATE: What began as curiosity about urban farming turned into a passion to reconnect families to food by creating an experience for people to cherish the goodness of nature in their gardens.
- ORGANIC GARDENING: Seeds of Change was built on the premise of preserving biodiversity, sustainability, & organic seeds with the promise of making organic foods available to gardeners & farmers since 1989.
Squash is a popular garden vegetable. It has been proven to boost the immune system and prevent cancer and heart disease. It also boosts the health of the skin and helps to reduce the severity of symptoms of diabetes.
Squash plants grow best in full sunlight. They are hardier than most other vegetables. The plants also need well-drained soils with high organic matter. The seeds should be planted one inch deep. The rows should be spaced at about 4 feet. You can choose to start the plants indoors or in your outdoor garden.
10. Onions – Best Gardening Plants For Survival
- CERTIFIED ORGANIC SEEDS – USDA Organic green onion seeds, premium garden seeds grown here in the US!
- HEIRLOOM SEEDS – Heirloom vegetable seeds, Non GMO Verified; non hybrid heirloom onion seeds.
- BEST VALUE – Approx. 550 bunching onion seeds per pack; get the best non hybrid seeds for less!
- MORE FROM *SEEDZ* – Don’t miss our beans, broccoli, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, garden peas, Lacinato kale, lettuce blend, red cabbage, spinach, swiss chard & more!
- RISK-FREE PURCHASE – Buy with confidence! You’re covered by a No-Questions-Asked, 30-Day Guarantee.
Onions have a high concentration of phytochemicals that help to improve immunity. These plants are also rich in vitamin C. Onions also contain chromium, and this is important for the regulation of blood sugar levels. You can also use the plants to reduce inflammation and heal infections. The plants also contain an element known as quercetin, which helps in preventing cancer.
Before planting onions, you need to prepare your garden with the necessary manure and compost. When applying inorganic fertilizers, it is best to stick to nitrogen-based products. Sulfur-based fertilizers usually make the onions highly pungent. The onion seeds should be spaced at half an inch and should be planted one inch deep in the soil.
FAQs
What should every survivor plant in his garden?
Acorn squash, spaghetti squash, buttercup squash, and even pumpkins are wintertime variants. Whichever variety you decide to cultivate in your survival garden, you’ll be producing a terrific supply of calories, vitamins, and minerals that work well in practically any dish you pick.
What veggie is the most hardy to grow?
Peas. Peas are a lot of fun to cultivate and harvest, and once they are established, they are quite difficult to kill. Peas are frequently utilized as a beginning plant by patient gardeners instructing kids in how to cultivate vegetables due to their incredibly high success rate.
Is buying vegetables cheaper than growing them?
According to the amount of produce, planting veggies from seed may result in the greatest financial savings, although purchasing plants may also result in savings. Growing a garden has the potential to lower the cost of groceries.
Conclusion
You now know 10 best gardening plants for survival can be made quickly from For Gardening. If you require additional help, there are numerous resources accessible online or through gardening clubs and organizations (not just with). Remember that even the most experienced gardeners have to start from nothing. So instead of being discouraged if things don’t go according to plan straight away, just keep going and enjoy the process. For more gardening troll tricks, visit our website at forgardening.org right away.