The $1,000 Pantry Challenge: Greenhouse Growing for a Year-Round Food Supply

May 28

Have you ever wondered just how much money your greenhouse could save you? If you're growing with purpose, the answer might surprise you. With the right crops, a bit of planning, and a reliable greenhouse, it’s absolutely possible to grow and preserve over $1,000 worth of fresh, organic food — right in your own backyard.

Let’s break it down.

🌿 Why the Greenhouse Advantage?

Growing outdoors has its perks, but a greenhouse gives you control over your environment:

Earlier spring starts
Extended fall harvests
Protection from pests and weather extremes
Consistent humidity and warmth for high-yield crops

A 200-square-foot greenhouse (like our 10x20 Gothic or Quonset models) can produce an impressive amount of food year-round — especially when combined with succession planting and preservation strategies.

🧺 What to Grow to Maximize Value

The trick is growing foods that are expensive to buy, easy to preserve, and in high demand in your kitchen. Here's what we recommend:

Spring & Summer

Tomatoes – Can be canned, dried, or frozen. One greenhouse can yield 100+ lbs.
Peppers – Dehydrate or freeze. Hot peppers have especially high value.
Cucumbers – Pickle them to last year-round.
Greens (Spinach, Kale, Lettuce) – Grow fast and can be succession planted.

Fall & Winter

Carrots & Beets – Store in root cellars or freeze.
Broccoli & Cauliflower – High value and cold-hardy in covered conditions.
Garlic – Stores for months and has high market value.
Herbs (Basil, Dill, Cilantro, Parsley) – Easy to dry or freeze.

📦 Preserving the Harvest

To hit your $1,000 savings goal, preservation is key. Here’s what works best:

Canning tomatoes, sauces, salsa, and pickles
Freezing greens, herbs, and chopped veggies for soups and stir-fries
Dehydrating herbs, peppers, and fruits
Fermenting krauts and kimchi — a great winter immunity booster

Even if you don't preserve everything, fresh-picked food year-round cuts down weekly grocery trips and keeps your meals nutrient-dense and local.

💰 Let’s Do the Math

CropTypical YieldMarket PriceEstimated ValueTomatoes100 lbs$2.50/lb$250Peppers40 lbs$3.00/lb$120Greens (succession)50 lbs$4.00/lb$200Herbs (dried/fresh)N/A$100 total$100Root Veg (carrots, beets)60 lbs$1.75/lb$105Cucumbers60 lbs$1.50/lb$90Garlic10 lbs$10/lb$100Misc & surplus——$50+Total Value——$1,015+

🌤️ Year-Round Growing = Year-Round Savings

Whether you're a backyard grower or full-fledged homesteader, this challenge isn’t just about dollars — it’s about food security, resilience, and pride in what you grow. Greenhouses are one of the most reliable ways to turn your garden into a true pantry — even in colder climates.

So here’s your invitation:
Take the $1,000 Pantry Challenge.
Start with a Sunbow Greenhouse. Grow what you eat. And watch the savings — and satisfaction — add up.

Ready to get started?
Explore our Gothic, Quonset, and Multi-Use greenhouse kits to build the perfect setup for your pantry goals.