A LITTLE DIRT NEVER HURT
Imagine wonderfully crunchy carrots, pulled from the garden minutes before they’re eaten Or, if you prefer, a crisp, flawless bell pepper ready to be cut and served. Growing a vegetable garden is an activity that is gratifying and peaceful. Everybody wants to know exactly what they are eating and the work that has gone into making it. Starting a vegetable garden may seem intimidating but it’s actually very simple; you just need the right vegetables to grow. There are many vegetables that don’t take much work to grow and will produce a great product for you and your family.
LET’S GROW YOUR VEGGIE GARDEN
To help kickstart your own edible garden, here is a list of some of the easiest vegetables to grow.
1. SPINACH
Spinach is super easy to grow and deserves to be at the top of this list. Famous for being rich in iron, protein, and Vitamin C and it’s great for salads and a healthy addition to your morning smoothie.
Much like growing other loose-leaf greens, make sure to plant spinach in well-drained soil with compost. Spinach is cold-weather friendly, which is what makes it grow so easily. It has the ability to survive year-round in most climates, as low as 15°F. Too much heat will cause bolting, though – this is when the spinach plant grows seed stems. The best time to plant spinach is in the Spring and Fall. Spacing out the seeds 6-8 inches between each plant and 12-14 inches between rows will ensure the most effective results. When your spinach has achieved two inches of height it’s time to thin them out. This means that you will have to make sure there is about four inches of space between each plant; you don’t want them to get too crowded. Spinach roots are very shallow, therefore there is no need to cultivate the soil. In about 5-7 weeks your spinach should be ready to harvest.
To harvest, pick the leaves from the outside of the plant when they have reached the size you want. This will let the inner leaves to keep growing and will allow your plant to keep producing.
2. CARROTS
Carrots are a classic vegetable that most people enjoy. They can be used for salads, stews, soups and even juices! Aside from their high fiber and beta-carotene, they are also a good source of antioxidants and Vitamins A, C, K and B6.
These vegetables are easy to grow, and are best planted during Spring, Summer, and Fall. Make sure the soil isn’t rocky when you plant the seed in the ground, this will result in crooked carrots. Carrots need 2-3” space between seeds when planted, and the soil should be loose enough for them to grow in. They can also grow in pots or containers as long as the pot is 1-2 feet deep. Carrots are at their crunchiest and sweetest when freshly harvested; this is when their tops break through the soil line. Always check if the soil is evenly moist (dry soil will result in fibrous, bitter carrots). Carrots become woody and bland when left in the ground for too long.
3. BELL PEPPER
Bell peppers are incredibly rich in Vitamins A, C, B6, B2 and E, dietary fiber, and potassium. You can eat them fresh with hummus or add them to your omelets.
It is suggested to start these plants 4-6 weeks indoors before transplanting them outdoors. Otherwise, pick up seedlings that have already been started at your local nursery. These are sun loving plants; they need direct sunlight. Be sure to plant them when the frost has passed, in the Spring or early Summer.
It is important to plant them about 4-6 inches apart in well-drained soil, or one pepper plant per container about 8-12 inches deep. Add compost and remember to regularly water. In 8-10 weeks you will have your fresh bell peppers. These plants have shallow roots and heavy fruits, so it is recommended staking them once the flowers start to bloom. As they grow, a light shade of their color will start to appear; once they turn a vibrant color, they are ready for harvest. Bell peppers sweeten the longer you leave them on the plant. This also increases the vitamin C levels.
4. BEETS
Beets are used for pickling, juicing and roasting. They offer valuable nutrients like Vitamins B6 and C, iron, manganese and anti-inflammatory properties. What’s particularly special about beets is that you can harvest the beet roots and eat the greens. Young beet greens can be added to salad, and larger beet greens can be sautéed as a quick side dish.
Beets like the sun. Plant your beets directly into moist soil in the Spring and Summer. As they start to mature (when their tops are 4-5 inches tall), thin the seedlings about three inches apart. To do this, simply cut or pinch off the leaves.
Beetroots taste best when they are harvested small. At the size between one and two inches they taste sweet and tender. It’s best to grow them in containers. The seeds should be planted three inches apart in a container that is 12 inches deep. It takes 5-10 weeks before this vegetable is ready to harvest. Harvest the roots when they are golf ball-size or larger; if roots are too large, they will be woody and tough. Then, loosen the soil around the beet and gently pull it from the soil. The beet greens can be harvested at any time, but make sure to leave some since the roots cannot fully form without the greens.
5. TOMATOES
Tomatoes are Americans’ favorite vegetable to grow in their vegetable gardens. They are the reason why many gardeners get into vegetable gardening in the first place. You can do lots of tasty things with tomatoes like make sauces, juices, and salads. They have great nutrients like Vitamins A, C, K and B6, and potassium.
Similar to bell peppers, it’s best to start tomatoes inside for 4-6 weeks before transferring them outside. When you grow tomatoes in a container it will need to be at least 18 inches deep, and you can just use one tomato plant per pot.
Tomatoes love the shade and thrive in the heat from the sun. The best time to plant is early Summer. Be aware of the tomato horn worm, which are large caterpillars that should be removed by hand whenever you see them. When your plant turns yellow, this is an indicator they need nitrogen. If this happens, what you need to do is add bone meal, an organic fertilizer, and water around the base of your plant. This will add back the nitrogen your plant is lacking. Spacing should be 18-36 inches between each plant. Also, bees will cross pollinate your pepper and tomatoes; this will ruin the flavor of your vegetables. Make sure to plant a row of tomatoes, then plant two to three rows of another vegetable before your bell pepper. When the tomatoes have filled out in size and their proper color starts showing, harvest them and enjoy!
6. GREEN BEANS
Green beans are amazing sources of protein, complex carbs, fiber, antioxidants, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc. For vegetarian diets, they are an absolute must as they have significant amounts of the amino acid lysine.
Green beans need lots of sunlight and well-drained soil. The best time to plant these are in early Summer. You want to set a pole or stake by the seeds so that they will have the proper support when they grow taller. Place a hefty layer of compost over the row you want to plant and put the seeds directly on top. Then, you should rake the row gently to cover the seeds. In 7- 9 weeks you will see your little green bean plants starting to sprout. Spacing should be 6 inches between each plant and 18 inches between each row. If you grow beans in containers, bush beans are the best option. Plant them in 8-inch-wide containers that are at least 12 inches deep.
Green beans are ready to be picked when the pods are young and tender – about 3 inches long – and just before the pods begin to bulge. Try not to harvest in very hot or cold weather, the beans will not be as flavorful.
7. BROCCOLI
Broccoli is consumed in soups, side dishes or just for raw food snacking. It contains nearly all the nutrients you need. It has many vitamins, potassium, calcium, iron, protein, dietary fiber and zinc.
Broccoli is a sunny and cool seasonal crop. The best time to plant this is in the Spring or Fall. They require full sun exposure; lack of sun will result in thin leggy broccoli. Plant in moist, well-drained soil. Sow seeds ½ inch deep and 3 inches apart. After the seedlings reach 2 – 3 inches in height it’s time to thin them. There should be at least a foot of spacing between each plant. Be aware of the cabbage worm. If you come into contact with any, simply pick them off by hand and your plant will be fine. Harvest your broccoli in the morning, when the heads are tight and firm. Once you notice yellow petals you should harvest immediately, because their quality will decrease as time goes on.
8. LETTUCE
Lettuce is easy to grow and very nutritious; it is a great source of vitamins A and C. Red and dark varieties are richer in important antioxidants, whereas lighter varieties are richer in vitamin B6. They are a Spring essential and come in many different varieties ranging from loose-leaf types like Red Salad Bowl to heading types like Romaine and tender butterheads like Bibb, Boston or Limestone.
Lettuce is a cool weather plant; it can be planted in early Spring or Fall. They can actually handle a little frost as long as temperatures don’t fall below 25°F.
This vegetable can get directly sown into the soil. Depending on the type you choose, there should be 6-18 inches of spacing between each plant. After a few weeks, there may be some areas that need to be thinned from clusters. You can grow them in flats or containers, they must be at least 2 inches deep and filled with good seed-starting mix. Germination is best at cool temperatures of 60-70 F. Once they are a few inches tall, they should be transplanted to a garden around 4 to 6 inches apart. It will be ready to harvest when you see the lettuce is fully grown. Harvest in the morning before the lettuce becomes limp from the sun.
9. CUCUMBERS
Cucumbers are a nice, refreshing summertime vegetable. They are very nutritious and an excellent source of Vitamins B6 and C, copper, manganese, and dietary fiber. If you don’t like them on your salad, put them in a jar, and make homemade pickles!
Cucumbers love the sun, so plant them in the Summer. They can be grown directly in the soil. You can start them indoors and transfer them to the yard after three weeks, or purchase a nursery plant from the store.
Always check if the soil is well-drained and make sure they can get plenty of sunlight. There should be 12 inches of spacing between each plant and 3 feet between each row. In 6-9 weeks, your cucumbers should be ready to harvest.
10. SUMMER SQUASH
Summer squash is a high-yielding plant, and you only need a couple to feed the entire family! They are great sources of vitamins A, B6 and C, folate, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. They are great for your bones and facilitate the body in processing fats and carbohydrates.
Summer squash needs heat, so it’s best to plant this vegetable during the Summer. Plant them with compost in well-drained soil. They need a foot of spacing between each plant and 3 feet between each row. Squash grow on vines, so be sure to allow spacing for their vines to run. The harvest time is 6-9 weeks, and you will know the squash is ready when they have turned a nice yellow and the stem is soft enough to break from the plant.
CONCLUSION
Having food on your table that you have grown from start to finish is truly an achievement. Growing a vegetable garden may seem difficult, but knowing that these vegetables are quick and easy to grow will give any beginner the chance to succeed.
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