Every gardener starts somewhere. These ten vegetables are reliable, fast-growing, and rewarding.
- Radishes - Ready in just 25-30 days, radishes are the ultimate quick crop. Sow directly in early spring or fall.
- Lettuce - Cut-and-come-again varieties provide weeks of salad greens with very little effort. Grows well in containers too.
- Zucchini - Prolific and fast. One or two plants will keep a family supplied all summer.
- Bush Beans - Direct sow after the last frost. No trellising needed. Harvest regularly to keep the plant producing.
- Cherry Tomatoes - More forgiving than beefsteak types and produce continuously.
- Kale - Cold-hardy and nutritious. Harvest outer leaves and the plant keeps growing.
- Peas - Sow as soon as the ground thaws. A cool-season crop that goes in before most others.
- Cucumbers - Plant in warm soil and train up a trellis to save space.
- Spinach - Fast-growing and nutritious. Grows best in spring and fall.
- Herbs (Basil, Chives, Parsley) - Grow alongside vegetables, use daily in cooking, and they are nearly impossible to kill.
Start with two or three of these and expand your garden as your confidence grows. Happy planting!