15 Easy to Grow Vegetables
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15 Easy to Grow Vegetables
Growing vegetables doesn’t have to be as daunting as it may seem. There are actually lots of great veggie plants you can easily grow in your garden, windowsill or balcony! Seeds can be purchased at the Dollar Store or grocery store, and all you will need is a pot, soil, fertilizer and some water. Check out these 15 easy to grow vegetables that will channel your inner green thumb!
As you know, eating vegetables is always a healthy part of your regular diet. Veggies are low in calories, high in fiber and potassium, and have many other important nutrients to keep you well-balanced. Eating your fruits and vegetables may reduce risk for heart disease including heart attack and stroke.
*Remember not to plant your veggies outdoors until after the last frost.
Looking for some tips for bringing your plants indoors after the summer? Check out our blog post!
#1. Tomato
How big do they get: 3 – 8 feet tall depending on type of tomato plant.
How long does it take to harvest: 60-80 days.
When to plant: April – May if starting indoor or June outdoor.
Plant your seeds: 8-10 inches deep and 12 – 48 inches apart depending on type of tomato plant.
Where to place: Somewhere hot with full sun.
How often to water: 2-3 times per week.
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, they are best grown in a 5+ gallon pot.
Tomatoes are a climbing plant, so you will want some sort of trellis, lattice, stakes or cages. Sticks work too!
Find dinner tonight with these delicious tomato based recipes you can find here!
#2. Cucumber
How big do they get: 4 – 6 feet tall depending on type of cucumber plant.
How long does it take to harvest: 55 – 65 days.
When to plant: May if starting indoor or June outdoor.
Plant your seeds: 1 inch deep and about 2 to 3 feet apart.
Where to place: Somewhere hot with full sun.
How often to water: Consistent watering – at least 1 inch of water per week or more.
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, make sure your pot is at least 12 inches deep. Cucumber plants are recommended to be planted in the ground as they may take up a lot of space.
Cucumbers are a climbing plant, so you will want some sort of trellis, lattice, stakes or cages. Sticks work too!
Check out these appetizing cucumber based recipes you can find here!
#3. Radish
How big do they get: 6 – 8 inches.
How long does it take to harvest: 23 days.
When to plant: April if starting indoor or May outdoor.
Plant your seeds: 6 inches deep, 6 inches apart
Where to place: Somewhere with partial sun.
How often to water: Once a week
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, they are best grown in a pot at least 6 inches deep.
Curious what kind of food you can make with radishes? Check out these yummy radish based recipes found here!
#4. Peppers
How big do they get: Up to 3 feet.
How long does it take to harvest: 60 – 90 days.
When to plant: April if starting indoor or May outdoor.
Plant your seeds: ¼-inch deep in rows 18 – 24 inches apart.
Where to place: Somewhere hot with full sun.
How often to water: Water one to two inches per week
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, make sure your pot is 10-12 inches deep.
Pepper plants may need some support, so you may want some sort of trellis, lattice, stakes or cages. Sticks work too!
Search out some tasty pepper based recipes you can find here!
#5. Green Beans
How big do they get: Bush beans up to 2 feet. Pole beans up to 10 feet.
How long does it take to harvest: 60 days.
When to plant: Late May – early July.
Plant your seeds: 1 inch deep, 2 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart.
Where to place: Somewhere with full sun.
How often to water: Water one to two inches per week
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, bush beans can easily be kept in a pot, however if you are planting pole beans, you will probably want to plant them in your garden.
Pole bean plants will need support, so you will want some sort of trellis, lattice, stakes or cages. Sticks work too!
*TIP* Do not start green bean seeds indoors. Because of their fragile roots, they may not survive transplanting.
#6. Carrots
How big do they get: Up to 12 inches.
How long does it take to harvest: 50 – 60 days.
When to plant: May – early July.
Plant your seeds: 4-6 inches deep. Plant 3-4 inches apart.
Where to place: Somewhere with full sun.
How often to water: Water two to three times per week
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, make sure your pot is at least 12 inches deep.
*TIP* Since carrot seeds germinate slowly, they can be mixed with radish or leaf lettuce, which germinate quickly and mark the row.
Carrot based recipes fit for the Easter Bunny await you here!
#7. Spinach
How big do they get: 4-6 inches.
How long does it take to harvest: 37 – 45 days.
When to plant: April – May if starting indoor or May – June outdoor.
Plant your seeds: ½-inch to 1-inch deep.
Where to place: Somewhere with partial – full sun.
How often to water: Water 1-1.5 inches per week.
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, make sure your pot is at least 6 to 8 inches deep.
*TIP* Spinach can tolerate the cold. It can survive a frost and temperatures down to -9°C!
Popeye would be proud of you to take a look at these delicious spinach recipes. Grow those muscles!
#8. Broccoli
How big do they get: Up to 2 1/2 feet.
How long does it take to harvest: 55 – 80 days.
When to plant: March – April if starting indoor or May – July outdoor.
Plant your seeds: ½ inch deep and 3 inches apart.
Where to place: Somewhere with full sun.
How often to water: 1 – 1.5 inches of water per week.
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, you can grow 1 broccoli plant in a 5 gallons pot. You can fit 2-2 plants in a 15 gallon pot.
*TIP* For best results, feed your broccoli plants frequently with nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Broccoli might have to be on the menu tonight! Check out these great broccoli based recipes.
#9. Beets
How big do they get: Up to 2 feet.
How long does it take to harvest: 50 – 70 days.
When to plant: Late May – late July.
Plant your seeds: ½-inch deep and 1 to 2 inches apart in rows about 1 foot apart.
Where to place: Somewhere with partial – full sun.
How often to water: About 1 inch of water per week.
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, make sure your pot is 8-12 inches deep as beets have long roots.
*TIP* Weed as needed but be gentle as beets have shallow roots that are easily disturbed.
Beets can be tasty too! Check out these great beet based recipes.
#10. Eggplant
How big do they get: 2 – 8 feet.
How long does it take to harvest: 65 – 80 days.
When to plant: Late April – early May if starting indoor or beginning of July outdoor.
Plant your seeds: ¼-inch deep and 18 – 24 inches apart.
Where to place: Somewhere hot with full sun.
How often to water: Water well to moisten the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches so the soil is moist but never soggy.
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, use a dark pot and make sure it is 5 gallons or larger.
*TIP* Due to the weight, eggplant will fall over once it is loaded with fruit. Be sure to stake tall plants or use a cage to keep them upright.
Want to try something new! Why not try one of these great eggplant based recipes.
#11. Zucchini
How big do they get: 3–4 feet tall.
How long does it take to harvest: 35 – 55 days.
When to plant: May – June.
Plant your seeds: 1-inch deep and 2 to 3 feet apart.
Where to place: Somewhere with full sun.
How often to water: Water deeply once a week, applying at least one inch of water. Do not water shallowly as the soil needs to be moist at least 4 inches down.
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, some breeds including ‘Jackpot Hybrid,’ ‘Geode,’ ‘Eight Ball’ and ‘Raven’ can be grown in a 5 gallon or larger pot.
*TIP* If your zucchini blooms flowers but never bears actual fruit, or it bears fruit that stops growing when it’s very small, then it is most likely a pollination issue.
Check out these tasty zucchini based recipes for a great low-carb meal!
#12. Sugar Snap Peas
How big do they get: 6 – 8 feet tall.
How long does it take to harvest: 60 days.
When to plant: April if starting indoor, end of May to early August outdoor.
Plant your seeds: 1-inch deep and 2 inches apart.
Where to place: Somewhere with partial – full sun.
How often to water: Water ½ inches per week while growing and 1 inch per week after blooming.
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, your pot should be 8-12 inches deep and as wide as possible.
*TIP* It is best to create some sort of support for your potted pea with poles, stakes or sticks set in the centre of the pot.
Snow peas always taste so fresh! Here are some fantastic snow pea based recipes!
#13. Lettuce
How big do they get: 6 – 12 inches tall.
How long does it take to harvest: 45 – 55 days.
When to plant: Late April – mid May if starting indoor, end of May to mid August outdoor.
Plant your seeds: ¼-½ inch deep, 12-15 inches apart.
Where to place: Somewhere with full sun.
How often to water: Lettuce will let you know when it needs water. If the leaves are wilting, sprinkle them anytime.
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, because they have such shallow roots, you only need a pot at least 6 inches deep. Be sure that your pot has drainage holes.
*TIP* You may want to consider planting rows of chives or garlic between your lettuce to control aphids. These plants can act as “barrier plants” for the lettuce.
Lettuce doesn’t have to be just for salads! Enjoy a lettuce based recipe tonight!
#14. Cucamelon
How big do they get: 10+ feet tall.
How long does it take to harvest: 65 – 75 days.
When to plant: Early to mid June.
Plant your seeds: ½ inch deep, 12 – 16 inches apart.
Where to place: Somewhere hot with full sun.
How often to water: 1 inch of water per week.
Can it be grown in a pot: Due to the height that cucamelons can reach, they are better suggested to be planted directly in your garden.
*TIP* You will definitely want some sort of trellis or cage for your cucamelon bush to climb. These plants get quite large and if they don’t have support, they will sprawl instead.
Cucamelons are pretty cute little veggies! They look like a cross between a cucumber and watermelon, but taste more like a citrus-y cucumber. Try something new with these cool cucamelon recipe ideas!
#15. Strawberry
I know, I know, it’s not a vegetable, but strawberries can easily be grown in your garden along with your veggies! Try out these sweet fruits, you won’t be disappointed!
How big do they get: 10-14 inches tall.
How long does it take to harvest: 28 – 42 days.
When to plant: Late April – end of May.
Plant your seeds: 20 inches apart, 4 feet between rows.
Where to place: Somewhere with full sun.
How often to water: 1 inch of water per week.
Can it be grown in a pot: Yes, a 12-14 inch diameter hanging pot or basket is best.
*TIP* If you’re growing strawberries in a hanging basket or pot, it is best to avoid hanging it in an area that receives a lot of gusty wind.
Strawberries are always a summertime favourite! You will love these delicious strawberry recipes!
