If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years at J & J Homestead, it’s that not every crop deserves a permanent spot in the garden. (I learned quickly that peas and soybeans weren’t for us – not nearly enough yield!)
Every season we experiment with something new. Sometimes those experiments become favorites, and sometimes they quietly disappear from next year’s planting plan (back to the soybeans!). After plenty of trial and error, we’ve developed a list of vegetables and fruits that have earned their place in our garden year after year.
These are the crops that consistently provide delicious harvests for our family while also performing well in our farmstand. They strike the perfect balance between what we love to eat and what our customers enjoy purchasing. In a world where garden space is valuable, these are the plants that continue to prove their worth.
1. Potatoes: Yukon Gold, Sweet Potatoes, and Purple Potatoes
Potatoes are one of the most rewarding crops we grow. They store well, are incredibly versatile in the kitchen, and always seem to find a way onto our dinner table. Yukon Gold potatoes are a staple because of their creamy texture and rich flavor. They make excellent mashed potatoes and roasted potatoes. Sweet potatoes are another favorite. They’re productive, nutritious, and surprisingly easy to grow once established. Plus, they store beautifully through the winter months. Purple potatoes add something a little different. Their striking color makes them fun to grow and attractive to farmstand customers looking for something unique. One year, I served purple mashed potatoes with Thanksgiving dinner, and I’ve been hooked ever since! Together, these three varieties ensure we always have plenty of options in both the kitchen and the farmstand.
2. Zucchini and Yellow Squash
Every gardener jokes about being buried in zucchini during the summer, and honestly, it’s true. Zucchini and yellow squash are some of the most productive plants in our garden. They grow quickly, produce heavily, and can be used in countless recipes.We use them in casseroles, stir-fries, breads, grilled vegetable dishes, and even baked goods. Farmstand customers also love them because they’re versatile, affordable, and synonymous with summer gardening. These plants consistently provide a great return for the space they occupy.
3. White Onions
Onions may not be glamorous, but they’re one of the hardest-working crops in our garden. White onions find their way into nearly every savory meal we prepare. From soups and stews to grilled dishes and fresh salsa, onions are a kitchen staple. Because they’re so useful, we plant plenty every year. Customers appreciate locally grown onions as well, making them a reliable farmstand crop.
4. Jalapeño, Serrano, and Bell Peppers
We grow peppers for every level of spice preference. Bell peppers are a family favorite and are incredibly popular with customers. They’re sweet, colorful, and useful in countless recipes.Jalapeños provide just enough heat for homemade salsa, poppers, and spicy dishes. For those who like things a little hotter, Serrano peppers deliver a punch of flavor that we enjoy using in sauces and fresh garden recipes. Growing all three gives us plenty of variety and ensures there’s something for everyone.
5. Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are one of those crops that rarely make it back into the house. It’s almost impossible to walk through the garden without grabbing a handful. They’re sweet, productive, and perfect for salads, snacking, and charcuterie boards. Customers love them because they’re convenient and packed with flavor. These little tomatoes produce for months and consistently earn their space in the garden.
6. Yellow Cherry Tomatoes (My Personal Favorite!)
If I had to choose a favorite crop in the garden, yellow cherry tomatoes would be near the top of the list. They’re incredibly sweet, almost fruity, and have a flavor that feels like summer in every bite. Every year I find myself eagerly waiting for those first yellow tomatoes to ripen. Once they start producing, it’s hard to stop eating them right off the vine. They’re always one of the first things I recommend to visitors, and they frequently become a customer favorite at the farmstand as well.
7. Beefsteak and Goliath Bush Tomatoes
While cherry tomatoes dominate the snacking category, large slicing tomatoes have their own important role. Beefsteak tomatoes provide huge, flavorful slices perfect for sandwiches and burgers. Goliath Bush tomatoes give us large fruits on more compact plants, making them an excellent choice for productive garden beds. Nothing compares to a homegrown tomato picked at peak ripeness. These varieties consistently deliver the flavor and size we’re looking for.
8. Asparagus
Asparagus is the ultimate long-term investment crop. It requires patience during establishment, but once mature, it rewards gardeners with harvests year after year. Seeing those first asparagus spears emerge each spring is one of our favorite signs that the growing season has officially begun. Because asparagus is a perennial crop, every harvest feels like a gift from work completed years earlier.
9. Strawberries
Fresh strawberries rarely make it very far from the garden. They’re one of the first fruits we harvest each year and a welcome sign that warmer days have arrived. Whether eaten fresh, added to desserts, or turned into homemade treats, strawberries are a crop we would never want to garden without. They’re also one of the most requested seasonal items at the farmstand.
10. Raspberries and Blackberries
Raspberries and blackberries provide some of our favorite summer harvests. There’s something satisfying about stepping into the berry patch and picking a handful of sun-warmed berries. These fruits are productive, delicious, and popular with customers whenever they’re available. They’re perfect for fresh eating, baking, jams, and freezing for later use. Because they’re perennial plantings, they continue rewarding us year after year with relatively little effort.
The Garden We Grow for Our Chickens and Turkeys
While the crops above are grown primarily for our family and farmstand customers, we maintain a separate garden specifically for our poultry. Our chickens and turkeys enjoy fresh greens throughout the growing season, so we dedicate space to growing several varieties of lettuce, cabbage, and Swiss chard. Not only does this provide supplemental nutrition and enrichment for the flock, but it’s also a great way to make productive use of garden space. The birds eagerly anticipate fresh harvests, and it’s always fun to watch them enjoy garden-fresh treats.
Why These Crops Keep Coming Back
Every gardener eventually discovers what works best for their family, climate, and goals. For us, these vegetables and fruits have proven themselves season after season. They provide reliable harvests, exceptional flavor, and strong farmstand appeal. Most importantly, they’re crops we genuinely enjoy growing and eating. Will we continue experimenting with new varieties? Absolutely. But these ten garden favorites have earned something special—a permanent spot in our garden for years to come.
What Has Earned a Permanent Spot in Your Garden?
Every gardener has those crops they simply can’t imagine gardening without. We’d love to hear about the vegetables and fruits that have become permanent fixtures in your garden. Leave a comment and share your favorites with us!
For more homesteading, gardening, farmstand, and backyard farming tips, visit J & J Homestead at www.jandjhomestead.com.
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