When it comes to growing vegetables, it can be overwhelming for beginners to know where to start. Many popular lists of easy-to-grow veggies are often copied and pasted, without considering the actual ease of cultivation. In this article, we will highlight some important points to determine what makes a vegetable easy to grow. We will recommend a few bulletproof plants suitable for beginners to achieve quick wins in their home gardens.
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Criteria for Easy-to-Grow Vegetables: To identify easy vegetables to grow, consider the following criteria:
- Ease of growing from seed: Some plants, like celery, have specific temperature requirements that can be challenging to manage. Look for veggies that are straightforward to grow from seed.
- Pest resistance: While pests will eat almost anything, certain plants may require extra effort to protect from pests. Choose vegetables that are less susceptible to pest damage.
- Weather requirements: Some plants, such as cauliflower and cabbage, have specific weather needs, like a long season of mild temperatures. Opt for vegetables with less demanding weather requirements.
- Hardy plants: Look for plants that are resilient and can withstand adverse conditions. These plants may continue producing food even when they appear worn down at the end of the season.
Two Easy Legumes: Sugar snap peas and bush beans are excellent choices for beginners. They produce satisfying harvests, grow well in containers or in the ground, and can tolerate relatively poor soil conditions. Additionally, they are nitrogen fixers, which means they can thrive in less fertile soil.
Two Easy Leafy Greens: Mizuna, a mustard green, is incredibly easy to grow. It tolerates various soil conditions, germinates quickly, and grows rapidly. Tatsoi, a spinach alternative, is also a resilient plant. It recovers well from pest damage and can adapt to fluctuating weather conditions. Both greens offer a satisfying harvest and can be densely planted.
Two Easy Herbs: While many herbs require some level of care, basil and Mexican mint marigold stand out as relatively easy to grow options. Basil grows easily from seed, tolerates dense planting, and benefits from frequent pruning. Mexican mint marigold, a perennial herb, is drought-tolerant and resilient. It makes an excellent tarragon substitute and is easy to germinate and transplant.
Two Easy Fruiting Veggies: Small hot chilies, like Thai chilies or Ahi lemon drops, are productive and less prone to pests. When planted in fabric grow bags, they provide excellent drainage and aeration, simplifying watering. Zucchini, when grown after the squash vine borer beetles go dormant, can be very easy to grow. Choose fast-maturing varieties for a shorter growing period.
One Extraordinarily Hardy Flower: Cosmos, although not a vegetable, is worth mentioning as an easy-to-grow flower for beginners. These plants have high germination rates, tolerate cooler temperatures, and continue to flower prolifically. They can grow quite tall and thrive even in containers.
When starting a vegetable garden, it’s important to choose plants that are easy to grow, especially for beginners. By considering factors like seed germination, pest resistance, weather requirements, and hardiness, you can select vegetables that offer quick wins and a satisfying harvest. Additionally, exploring easy-to-grow legumes, leafy greens, herbs, fruiting vegetables, and hardy flowers can enhance your gardening experience and build your confidence as a gardener.
