The numbers keep changing.
When you research this topic, you will find a myriad of articles about the number of high-calorie container crops you can grow.
This is actually good news as you are not stuck with some vegetable you do not like.
You have a lot to choose from which means you can grow the vegetables you like and not sacrifice any calories.
Plus, many of the items on this list can be stored for long periods of time making sure you have more of your favorites for longer.
Preppers who live in apartments can either grow their own food in containers or stop gardening altogether.
Most of the time, they don’t have enough storage space for a good stockpile, so if they don’t grow food in containers, it only takes them less time to run out of food.
Just keep reading to find out which high calorie crops you can grow in a container and not worry about space.
15 High-calorie crops you can grow in a container
1. Potatoes
One of the appealing things about this vegetable, it is one of the most versatile vegetables you can grow.
Not to mention one of the best high calorie crops.
Not only will a medium-sized baked potato bring about 225 calories, but you can also turn them in a variety of times.
They are also a good source of vitamin c.
When you get tired of baked potatoes, you can turn them into mashed, french fries, boiled, serve them in casseroles, make hash browns or tater tots and the list goes on.
Food variety helps spice up any meal during a disaster.
2. Winter squash
Coming in at a whopping 575 calories, the calorie dense winter squash needs rich well-drained soil to thrive.
But once they have grown, they can be stored in a cool place for a long time.
Winter squash is the same thing as butternut squash.
Also, as a snack, you can roast the seeds and eat them at any time.
That way you can have those high calories when the weather turns cold and your body needs more to stay warm.
Spaghetti squash and acorn squash are also options.
3. Corn
This vegetable needs a little more space to provide you with enough corn to last you for a while.
But once you have figured out the space, you can grow a lot of fresh corn.
1 cup of corn brings about 375 calories and it can be dried, canned, or frozen.
The first two options are the best though.
It will add a nice look to your meals while making sure you get all the calories you need.
4. Soy
When your meat supply or access is getting low, soy comes to the rescue.
It is a good source of protein when you can’t eat fresh meat.
It is not hard to prepare either.
Then on top of the protein, you are getting about 376 calories per cup.
That is slightly better than corn and probably does not need as much room to grow.
But if this is a product you do not like, skip it and find a good replacement
5. Sunflower
One of the drawbacks to growing pecans or walnuts in your container garden is that they take a long time to mature.
They are not the best survival crop to have.
However, sunflowers grow fast and they are packed with nutrition as well as calories.
One cup of sunflower seeds contains roughly 270 calories as well as some healthy fats your body needs.
This is a great way to have a snack when dinner time is still a long way off.
6. Basil
A very healthy spice that can be grown inside or outside.
If you take the former option, then you have room for another crop that may be tasty as well as high in calories.
The trick to growing basil is to keep trimming it.
That way you should not run out of this nutritious herb.
It also helps food taste a lot better when you are eating food items that are not that delicious.
If you do not like basil try lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage, or mint.
7. Lentils
One thing about a container garden is that you can alternate your crops.
You can divide them up into warm-weather and cool-weather food items and have high-calorie food all year round.
Lentils have 14 calories per tablespoon and besides calories, you also get protein, iron, fiber, and magnesium.
This plant should not take up a lot of space in your container garden.
When the warm weather comes, replace the lentils with something else so you do not lose any space.
8. Peppers
There is a large variety of them and they come in a variety of colors as well.
The location they love the most is grow boxes but they can be grown in containers as well.
You can grow hot or sweet styles but they need plenty of sun, lots of watering, and good drainage to grow well.
The good thing about growing peppers is that you can move them inside when the weather is not that good.
They will continue to grow indoors for you.
9. Avocados
This is a warm-weather plant but you can always make arrangements to keep them warm when the weather starts to get cold.
They are full of healthy fats and protein.
They are also full of calories with about 370 per cup.
If you do not want to eat avocados, you can turn them into guacamole and enjoy a treat with nacho or other Mexican dishes.
Having to survive does not mean you throw creativity or good meal options out the window.
Avocados are an excellent calorie dense option that can be eaten fresh or cooked.
10. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are good summer crop to help rotate your vegetable garden.
These can grow quickly and provide you with a lot of nutrition.
This vegetable has about 112 calories per potato which is not much.
But since this is a hot weather crop, you have something different to grow and snack on when they ripen.
It is a good way to get your calories all year round and a must have addition to your survival garden.
Variety in your diet is one way to get all the nutrition you need during a disaster.
11. Beans
There are many types you can grow but pinto beans are one of the best.
Not only do you get 670 calories per cup of beans, but you also can dry them and have them last for a very long time.
Lima beans are also good to grow.
With about 217 calories per cup, these beans can add a little flavor to your stew, casserole, and so on.
Plus, they can be canned, frozen, and dried to make sure they last till you can grow them again.
Other good beans to consider are kidney beans.
Although not that high in calories, you can also get health benefits from black beans and fava beans.
12. Turnips
This is an acquired taste for most people and it takes some getting used to.
But when you eat them you get about 36 calories per cup.
That said, this is not the reason they are included here.
The great thing about this vegetable is that you can eat the whole plant.
The leaves of this plant are filled with nutrition making it a complete dietary source.
When you do not have lettuce or spinach around, those leaves should be able to take their place.
13. Peas
With several varieties to choose from, you can plant them at different times of the year and still get some great calories out of them.
One benefit you get from planting peas is that they replace the soil with nitrogen.
That will help other plants grow better.
Make sure to tie them to a stake so the plants are supported.
When their producing time is over, pull them out and replace them with a warm-weather crop.
Green peas are high in both protein and vitamins C and E.
14. Tomatoes
They like big pots but if you can get the smaller bushier type of tomatoes you can grow them in smaller pots as well.
This is an easy fruit to grow in a container and make sure you can stake the plants to allow them to grow better.
From beef to cherry tomatoes they are all tasty.
15 Jerusalem artichokes
Jerusalem artichokes are special because they help lower blood sugar levels.
They are great high-calorie vegetables to grow in your garden if you have diabetes.
Even though Jerusalem artichokes are a root vegetable with a lot of starch, they are interesting because they have a lot of inulin.
During the cooler months, from late fall to early spring, you can grow these plants.
One cup of Jerusalem artichoke slices has 110 calories.
One thing about planting this fruit is that they are not cold-weather plants.
Plus, they need lots of sun to grow nice and healthy.
Make sure your dog or cat does not eat the leaves.
They are toxic to animals.
Survival gardens
This is why you need to grow these important crops in your survival garden.
Even if you aren’t planning a garden to make sure you always have food, you should still plant these crops.
With less space, you can have an amazing garden with some of the highest calorie vegetables and crops by adopting a survival gardening mindset.
You’ll be the ideal urban gardener.
Which container to grow these crops
One of the good things about having a container garden is that different plants grow best in different-sized pots.
That means you can plan your garden to fit the space you have available and still get a variety of crops for the year.
When it comes to containers, you have a wide variety of options available to you.
Here are a few container ideas to get you on the right track:
5-gallon buckets
Fabric grow bags
Terra cotta pots
Wooden half barrels
Plastic planters
Wooden window boxes
Mix them up so you have plenty of room for all the crops you want to grow.
Some final words
A good container garden can provide you with all the high calorie crops you will need.
And it’s ideal if you like low maintenance gardening and have no real garden space.
The trick is to make sure to alternate your plants between hot, cold, cool, and warm weather options.
That way you will never run out of good food to eat.
Also, with enough containers, you should be able to grow something everyone likes.
Just pick the right soil, make sure they can drain well, and put them in the sun when called for and inside when the weather gets bad.
A good container garden can meet your calorie needs and provide stellar nutritional value.
Originally posted 2023-03-10 00:27:04.
