One of the great things about having space in the garden is the ability to grow your own fruits and vegetables. Rather than going down to the supermarket or waiting for the monthly farmer’s market, you can harvest nutritious produce from the comfort of home.
While fresh salads, soups and baked dinners with vegetables sound appetising, it’s important to note that you won’t be ready to cook up a storm overnight. In fact, when it comes to growing vegetables, you will need to be patient and vigilant.
With this in mind, there are traditionally easy to grow vegetables. This means that whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or new to the world of soil and seedlings, with the right mindset and tools, you can create a fruitful vegetable patch.
Easy To Grow Vegetables
When it comes to growing vegetables at home, it can be easy to plant a variety of different produce, even if your family can traditionally have tricky taste buds. As such, in order to limit wastage, start small.
Starting small means that you can practise and hone your harvesting techniques. It also means that you are more likely to enjoy a successful yield. However, starting small doesn’t mean the options are limited.
In fact, starting small means beginning your journey by planting traditionally easy to grow vegetables. With plenty of variety on offer, these easy growers will help lay the foundation for a successful yield and plenty of tasty meals. All of which will look lovely set against the backdrop of a luscious green lawn.
1. Beets
With both the leaves and roots able to be used in salads and stews, beets are a great vegetable to grow. As the seed capsules contain two to three actual beet seeds, seedlings will always need to be kept fairly thin. When it comes to sowing the seeds, aim for an inch depth.
2. Beans
Prolific and quick growers, beans are perfect for beginners. Additionally, beans can even grow in adverse environments such as those with poor soil. Due to their growing nature, beans will need to be planted along a trellis to promote easier picking.
3. Bell Peppers
When it comes to planting bell peppers, it’s important to note that they thrive in warm conditions. As such, planting will need to be in a location where there is plenty of direct sunlight. With regular water, a variety of different coloured peppers will be ready in months.
4. Broccoli
Easier to grow than cauliflower, broccoli will need plenty of room to grow. Advisable to be planted in rows, broccoli will also need good growing conditions. This means quality soil and plenty of water in order to have a good harvest.
5. Cabbage
Cabbage crops thrive in cool conditions. This means that in order to have a bountiful crop for summer salads, you will need to start planting early. If your schedule is a little behind, you can plant in late summer to enjoy cabbages a few months later.
6. Carrots
When planted in loose soil, carrots are traditionally quite easy to grow. Carrots can tolerate cool conditions, so plant them early in the season. In terms of planting, implement proper spacing so carrots don’t overcrowd and grow with deformities.
7. Cherry Tomatoes
When compared to traditional varieties of tomatoes, cherry tomatoes are known to be quick growers. This means that, after transplanting, expect a fresh cherry tomato in a matter of two months.
8. Cucumbers
Before planting cucumber seedlings, it’s important to undergo some soil preparation. Your soil will need a fertiliser complete with high nitrogen and potassium levels. As cucumbers are known to have a large yield, the soil will be able to accommodate this.
9. Garlic
Garlics are incredibly easy to grow because there is essentially no maintenance required. This means that once you tuck individual cloves into the garden, you just have to watch out for pests. Once harvested, cure them in a dry spot for two weeks.
10. Kale
In mild climates, kale can be your year round garden essential. To prevent pests, protect the crop with a simple row cover. As the buds and flowers are edible, kale can be harvested in many different stages.
11. Lettuce
Able to be tucked into small spaces, the only requirement for growing lettuce is the fact that it thrives in cooler conditions. It’s also worth noting that leaf lettuces can be cut as they grow to increase your harvest.
12. Onions
When growing onions, give them plenty of sunlight. Low maintenance with little to no disturbance from pests, you can essentially plant and forget onions. With a little help from the sun, onions are great growers.
13. Peas
Peas are another crop that love cold conditions when it comes to growing time. Planted directly into the garden or in pots, peas can be a non-vining bush variety or a vine, so it’s best to clarify.
14. Potatoes
Whether placed in pots or directly into the soil in your garden, potatoes can actually be quite fruitful growers. In fact, once the basics are established, one seed potato can actually yield ten or more potatoes.
15. Radish
Traditionally known as cool weather crops, radishes need to be planted directly into the garden. When planting, make sure the dirt is loose. When it comes to maintenance, plant in compost.
16. Spinach
Growing spinach is fairly straightforward, especially as it’s a cold weather friendly crop. Plant in well drained soil and make sure to add some compost as well in order to contribute to ideal growing conditions.
17. Tomatoes
Traditionally heat lovers, tomatoes can be grown directly in the garden and also in large sized containers. The key ingredient when it comes to growing tomatoes is giving this plant enough sunlight.
18. Zucchini
Known as prolific growers, zucchini will need a lot of space in order to spread and grow. Well looked after soil is also a must. This means making sure to religiously add compost as a form of fertiliser.
Growing Your Own Vegetable Garden
Growing a vegetable garden is an extremely rewarding but also involved process. Most vegetable plants are sturdy enough to survive a few mishaps. However, it’s important to always cultivate ideal growing conditions. That way, your hard work will pay off.
