$600+ Harvest on a $325 Budget: My 2026 St. Paul, MN Garden ROI

As the summer on St. Paul's East Side winds down, it’s time to evaluate the season's yield. This past weekend's haul of potatoes, tomatoes, and cucumbers pushed the total past a major milestone: over $600 in produce harvested this year!

Started this season with roughly $325 in expenses, so hitting $600+ in fresh produce brings net savings close to $300—effectively doubling my original investment.

Also, I have eight grow bags of potatoes still maturing and some tomatoes still coming along, so those final numbers will continue to climb.

Gardening in Zone 4b brings plenty of weather challenges, but tracking total output against expenses proves that urban growing can deliver real financial return alongside fresh food.

For a complete, itemized breakdown of every crop, weight, and valuation from day one through September 21, 2026, check out the PDF below!