Easy To Grow Vegetables
Grow Fresh Vegetables Right in Your Backyard
There’s nothing better than picking fresh vegetables and herbs straight from your own garden. Starting a vegetable garden is easier than many people think and only takes a few simple steps.
How to Get Started
Begin by choosing a sunny garden location. Most vegetables need at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day to grow well. Next, improve your soil by mixing in compost or other organic matter to provide nutrients. Once your soil is ready, plant your seeds and label rows so you know what’s growing where.
Five Easy Vegetables to Grow
These vegetables are simple to grow from seed and produce great harvests with regular watering and healthy soil.
Beans
Beans are warm-weather vegetables that grow as either bush plants or climbing vines. Wait until the soil warms in late spring before planting. Bush beans grow compactly, while pole beans grow upward on trellises or supports and produce longer harvests. For continuous production, plant bush beans every few weeks until mid-summer.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers grow quickly and produce plenty of fruit. They grow best in warm weather and should be planted in late spring. Growing cucumbers on a trellis or cage saves space and helps produce straighter fruit. Harvest cucumbers often while they are still small to keep plants producing.
Peas
Peas prefer cool weather and grow best in early spring or fall. They grow well along short trellises or fencing, which makes harvesting easier. Snap peas and snow peas can be eaten whole, while shelling peas are harvested and removed from their pods.
Radishes
Radishes are one of the fastest vegetables to grow and are often ready to harvest in less than a month. Because they grow quickly, plant small amounts every week or two during spring and again in late summer. They can also be planted between slower-growing vegetables.
Summer Squash (Zucchini)
Summer squash plants grow quickly and produce large amounts of fruit. Plant seeds in small groups spaced about 3 to 4 feet apart. When seedlings appear, thin them to the strongest plants. Harvest squash when it is young and tender for the best flavor. Just a few plants can produce plenty for a family.
Growing your own vegetables is a rewarding way to enjoy fresh, flavorful food while spending time outdoors. With a little care and planning, you can enjoy homegrown harvests all season long.