Want to learn what are easy vegetables to grow in a garden? Growing an edible garden can be very rewarding, but if you’re new to gardening it can be a bit overwhelming deciding which plants to choose and how to grow them.
Also, some plants are more delicate than others and require more attention and special care. If you’re a first-time gardener, consider starting with simple vegetables, fruits, and herbs that will do well as long as they get enough sunlight, healthy soil, and enough water for them to thrive. (1)
Once you have an idea of what you are doing, you can branch out into growing other types of vegetables and fruits that require a little more knowledge.
What are easy vegetables to grow in a garden?
Read on for our plant recommendations for new gardeners. All of these easy-to-grow plants can be grown in pots, a garden box, or directly in the ground, depending on your outdoor space and preferences.
Ideally, you want to plant where you get the most sunlight, which is the area that faces south. If that is not possible, an alternative is to plant in a west-facing location.
Some vegetables, like lettuces, can tolerate shade, while other sun-loving plants, like tomatoes, need a minimum of six hours of sunlight a day to thrive. Always check the plant label or seed package for ideal conditions for individual plants.
Supplies to get started:
- Potting soil (for container gardens)
- Compost (for garden beds)
- Fertilizer (check the package for the right fertilizer for your plant)
- Pots with small drainage holes (for container gardens)
- Seeds or starter plants
- Basic gardening tools (such as hand trowel, manual cultivator, pruners, gardening gloves, kneeling pad, watering can, plant tags, and plant stands). If you are primarily into container gardening, you may find reduced tools that allow you to work in smaller areas. Always buy the best quality you can afford; Garden gloves can wear out relatively quickly, but a well-made gardening tool can withstand heavy use for many years.
- Consider buying a soil thermometer; planting in too cold soil can stunt growth. If you are planting in the soil, you can purchase a home soil test or send your soil in for testing so you know what nutrients and amendments to add.
Radishes
Radishes are root vegetables that sprout quickly. You may be used to the classic spicy little strain that is bright pink on the outside and white on the inside, but when you start growing your own, you’ll see that there are a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, each with its own flavor. unique.
How to grow
If you plant seeds, sprouts will emerge in a week. If you don’t want to worry about transplanting, plant in a tall container so the radish has room to grow and form. From sowing to harvest it is about a month.
When to plant
Radishes can grow year-round, depending on the variety. The seeds are usually sown in early to late spring or early fall. Some can also be planted in winter.
Kale
Kale is a type of cabbage that does not form ahead. There are many varieties and colors to choose from, such as dark green leaves; or kale, which can be grown in green or purple varieties.
How to grow
If you sow seeds, they usually emerge in a week or so. You can place the seeds on a flat tray or in a container by separating them, according to the instructions on the package.
Once they sprout and need more space, you can transplant them into a larger container. Kale needs well-drained soil that is modified with lots of organic matter. The leaves are ready to harvest in two months or cut the young leaves earlier for a milder flavor.
When to plant
In the fall before the first frost or in the spring after the last frost.
Sweet peas
Sweet peas are a garden delight with their delicate flowers that attract pollinators, such as bees, to the garden. And they are fun to eat! You can eat the entire uncooked pod straight from the vine, or open the pod and nibble on the peas.
How to grow
Peas grow best in milder climates, but they need plenty of sunlight. If you sow seeds, it usually takes about two months for the peas to be ready to harvest and eat.
Peas are climbers, so you will need to have a structure like a pole or a trellis for the vines to spread out and allow the plant to have support. There are also varieties that do not climb or expand, but instead take the shape of a bush, which may be preferred if you don’t have a lot of space or don’t want to bother with a structure.
When to plant
In spring or late fall.
Lettuce
Lettuce is an easy vegetable to grow from seed or starter plants and can generally be grown year-round, based on the USDA hardiness zone. You’ll find a wide variety of lettuces that fall into four main categories: romaine, loose-leaf, crisphead, and butterhead:
Romaine or cos
grows upright and elongated.
Loose leaf
does not form a tight head. You can cut the leaves as needed and leave the plant in the ground for new leaves to grow. Very easy and popular to grow.
Crisphead
grows round with very compact leaves. Iceberg lettuce is an example of crisp lettuce.
Butterhead: grows round but with loose leaves. Easy to grow.
How to grow
Plant several seeds in a flat tray or small container. Once they start to sprout and take up space, you’ll want to transplant them into a larger pot. Lettuce thrives in colder climates and likes loose, well-drained soil, with amendments, such as compost. They do well in both full sun and partial shade.
When to plant
Lettuce is usually planted in the spring, after the last frost. You can also plant in the fall. But depending on your geographic area, you may be able to plant and grow lettuce year-round.
Chives
Chives, often called green onions, are easy to grow and make a delicious addition to many dishes with their mild flavor. You can use both the white and green caps.
How to grow
If growing from seed, it takes about two weeks for the sprouts to emerge. You can grow in a container, but make sure it’s deep so the chives can grow properly.
Chives prefer nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. They like moist soil, but overwatering can lead to disease. Although they can withstand some shade, they thrive in the sun and like a minimum of six hours of sunlight. Chives are ready to harvest in a couple of months or so.
When to plant
You can sow seeds a month to a month and a half before the average last frost date in spring for your region or when the soil temperature is around 45 degrees.
Cherry tomatoes
For any tomato lover, knowing how to grow tomatoes is the essence of summer. Cherry tomatoes are especially fun and easy to grow, and they come in many different shapes and sizes, from small round globes to oval ones.
In addition, there are also many colors: choose between bright red and burgundy or orange and yellow. These bite-sized snacks will be hard to resist from popping in your mouth when hot from the sun and ripe on the vine.
How to grow
You can choose to sow from seed or plant starters. Tomatoes are best grown when planted in wide, deep pots so the roots have room to expand and establish themselves.
Tomatoes thrive in the sun, so choose a spot in your garden where there is plenty of sunlight. Make sure you plant your tomatoes in well-drained soil and give each plant plenty of room because they can grow big and tall and take up a lot of space. Check the plant label to see if the tomato is determinate or indeterminate.
Both types need support from a cage, stake, or trellis, but indeterminate tomatoes can grow quite large and need additional support. If you’re short on space, you can grow tomatoes in a hanging basket.
When to plant
Early to late spring. You can sow seeds indoors or in a greenhouse, if necessary. Cherry tomatoes are especially good options for areas with short growing seasons because they take less time to fully ripen.
Arugula
Arugula has dark green leaves that can be rounded or pointed. This lush green is known for its tangy, tangy taste; You can add it raw to salads, steamed or sautéed it, or add it to soups.
How to grow
Sow the seeds in pots or trays with enough space to sprout and grow without the need for transplanting. If you want to chew on young leaves, you’ll be ready to harvest them in less than a month.
Otherwise, wait around two months from seed to fully mature leaves. The leaves will often grow back after the first harvest or two, but to aid in this process, cut the leaves at the bottom of the stem. Arugula can be easily sown if you let a few flower heads grow into seeds.
When to plant
Spring or fall. However, in most regions, it can be grown throughout the year. When exposed to frost, the cold will make the leaves sweeter.
Strawberries
Strawberries are beautiful gems that are delicious fruit to grow. Not only do they add color, but it’s also fun to watch the fruit emerge from the white flower.
There are different varieties, so you may want to plant both the June production, which produces strawberries for about a month, and the permanent production that produces fruit throughout the season to ensure you have a bounty to enjoy all spring and the season. summer.
Keep your eyes peeled for alpine strawberries – these sweet varieties are too delicate for commercial harvesting, so the only way to try them is if you grow them yourself.
How to grow
Although there are several ways to grow strawberries, one of the easiest methods is in pots. Better to buy seedlings (start) to be most successful.
Place your starters in a container, either one per pot, or if you have a spacious container you can plant a few. However, strawberries don’t do well when crowded, so as a general rule of thumb, three plants or less per square foot of soil.
Strawberries grow best in well-drained, clay soils and need plenty of sunlight. In fact, depending on where the pot is placed, you may need to rotate the pot every few days to ensure that the entire strawberry plant receives sunlight.
Water occasionally, but it’s okay if the soil dries out a bit between waterings. Too much watering can eliminate the taste.
When to plant
Depending on your region and hardiness zones, as well as the variety, strawberries are often planted in the spring. Sometimes they can be planted in the fall.
Still, you have questions about what are easy vegetables to grow in a garden? Leave a comment and I’ll do my best to help.
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Jeremy Park, the founder of jeremylife.com, is a love and relationships expert. With a journalism degree and years of exploration, he offers valuable insights to help you live your best love life. His mission is to make the journey enjoyable and effortless.