Starting your own garden can be an incredibly daunting task. However the idea of fresh grown produce in your very own back yard is too exciting of a possibility for you to pass up! Well, you are in the right place, today I am going to talk about the easiest vegetables to plant that anyone could turn into a nutritious crop, no green thumb needed.
#1 The Carrot
To start, you will need a deeper pot to be able to handle this root vegetable, and it will need to be free from rocks. Rocks in the soil can change the direction of the root and make the carrot lose some of its aesthetic value. Carrots are ready to be harvested when their tops breach the soil. There are three widely recommended varieties especially for novice gardeners there is scarlet nantes, danvers half long, and sweet treat.
#2 Green Beans
Green Bean plants are very diverse, there are many different varieties, but the “broad beans” are considered one of the easiest to cultivate. There are also bush beans which will be a more productive plant, but it slightly more difficult to manage, finally another popular variety is the pole bean, they are one of the easiest to grow, but also need a trellis in order to grow properly. I can recall growing a rock star green bean plant in my kindergarten class when I was probably 5 or so. You guys can do it!
#3 Lettuce
There is nothing quite like having a real, garden fresh salad. lettuce is a large category of plants and spans everything from micro greens, head lettuce, leaf lettuce, arugula and spinach. all the different types are easy to maintain, but in order to have a lot of them, you will need to do re-sow it every 2 weeks or so to get more plants. my recommend varieties are buttercrunch, salad bowl, and for arugula i recommend rocket seeds.
#4 Cucumbers
One major key to having a successful cucumber plant is allowing it to have plenty of space. Also wait to plant until you are 100% sure that there will not be any frost. After you have those things in place, just water it intermediately and watch huge cucumbers grow that you can enjoy for a long time. The best varieties I have tried would be Diva, Straight Eight and Salad Bush Hybrid.
#5 Spinach
Spinach is extremely nutritious and its high iron is what sets it apart from other vegetables. Although it is not always the favorite to eat, it can be very good in dishes like omelets, soups, and salads. Also, what I love about spinach is that once it is mature you just pick it continuously to encourage new growth. Check out varieties like Baby’s Leaf, Renegade, and Melody Hybrid.
#6 Tomatoes
Now for tomatoes, I would almost recommend buying a starter plant, otherwise, tomatoes will take a little more patience to see the outcome. Once tomatoes are grown, they can provide you with fruit all summer long! Make sure these plants get plenty of sun and water. Of all the vegetables on this list, it seems to be most noticeable when tomatoes are eaten fresh as opposed to store-bought. My recommened varieties are Roma, Big Boy and Beef Steak. Enjoy!
#7 Radishes
Radishes are ideal for beginner gardeners. Plant the seeds directly into the garden in early spring or fall. Radishes can add a very peppery flavor to any garden dish. The recommended variets are Cheriette, Cherry Bell, and Scarlet Globe.
#8 Bell Peppers
Bell Peppers are my absolute favorite to grow in my garden, I love the flavor and I add bell peppers to almost anything that I make. I can eat it with my eggs at breakfast, salad at lunch, or with a chicken breast at dinner. Not to mention the color it can add to a dish is phenomenal. The varieties that I have seen be successful are California Wonder, Gypsy, and Big Bertha. I currently have a big Bertha plant in my yard that is doing great!
#9 Summer Squash
The thing that I love about squash is that it is so high yielding. You would probably only need a couple of plants in order to feed an entire family! Some tips on growing squash is to protect it from the wind, and harvest the squash when they are about 8-10 inches long. Your guests will love Green Bush, Gold Rush, and Sure Thing varieties.
#10 Basil
Basil is not only for italian dishes, it is for countless amounts of foods because it is so aromatic. Basil can be planted in either a pot or in the ground, although I recommend growing it in a pot in your kitchen windowsill so that you can pluck a little whenever you need it. I recommend that you try Genovese or Magical Michael varieties.
That wraps up the easy beginner plants, anyone can plant and keep these alive. The biggest problem you might encounter is wildlife enjoying a few meals here and there. There are ways to protect that, especially with a raised planter. At Tuscany Pavers we can help make beautiful places for a garden or enhance your overall outdoor lifestyle here in southern california. Contact us for more information.
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