Backyard Garden ROI Calculator
Example: One-time setup cost: 300 $ · Annual inputs (seeds, soil, water): 120 $ · Market value of produce grown: 600 $
| Ongoing annual savings | $480 |
| First-year net (after setup) | $180 |
| Return on money spent | 114.29% |
Worked example
Suppose you build raised beds for $300, spend $120 a year on seeds, soil, and water, and grow produce worth about $600 at store prices. Each ongoing year nets $480 in savings. The first year, after subtracting the $300 setup, nets about $180 — still positive, and from year two on you keep the full $480. Measured against the $420 you put in during a steady year, that is roughly a 114% return.
Frequently asked questions
How do I value the produce I grow?
Price what you harvest at what you would otherwise pay at the store, ideally at the quality you would buy — organic tomatoes and fresh herbs are worth far more than commodity produce. Weigh or count a season's harvest once and you will have a solid number for future years.
Why is the first year so much worse?
Because setup costs — beds, soil, tools, fencing — all land at once. Those are largely one-time, so year two and beyond only carry the smaller recurring inputs. Gardens that look marginal in year one often show a strong return once the setup is spread across several seasons.
What grows with the best return?
High-value, high-yield crops that are expensive to buy: herbs, salad greens, tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini typically return far more than their input cost. Cheap staples like potatoes or onions save less per square foot. Focusing on premium produce raises the market-value figure the most.
Does my time count as a cost?
This tool measures cash return, not labor. Many gardeners treat the time as a hobby with health and enjoyment benefits rather than a cost. If you want a stricter view, subtract a value for your hours from the produce figure before entering it.