Easiest Veggies To Grow, Even If You’re New To Gardening

If you're ready to have fresh produce from your own garden, these vegetables are great to start with. Not only are they easy to grow, but they're popular options that you'll love eating raw or cooked in a delicious meal. You don't need any growing experience to get started. These are beginner-gardener tested to be simple and easy to grow.

Peas

Adobe Stock Es75 close up of peas spilling out of basketPin
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock / Es75.

If you're looking for a vegetable that's rich in vitamins and minerals that also improves cardiovascular health, then peas are a great option for you to grow in your home garden. Peas are fast growing and can be started early in the season. Snow peas can be sown every few weeks so you'll be able to enjoy these fresh veggies all summer long.

Cucumbers

Adobe Stock Kzenon woman cutting cucumber off vine in gardenPin
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock / Kzenon.

Whether you want to make your own pickles or add a bit of healthy crunch to your favorite sandwich, cucumbers are a great option to grow in your garden. They are easily grown from seed and have a high yield. Make sure you pay attention to what variety you grow as some are better for pickling and others are better for eating fresh or using in recipes.

Lettuce

Adobe Stock Epix Images woman planting lettuce in garden apronPin
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock / Epix Images.

Salad lovers should definitely try growing their own lettuce. There are so many varieties to choose from, and they are very easy to keep alive. Many people grow lettuce year-round by keeping their plants inside during the winter months. Lettuce is also a popular option for hydroponic gardening.

Tomatoes

Adobe Stock Dusan Kostic ripe tomatoes on vine in gardenPin
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock / Dusan Kostic.

A good salad needs some tomatoes on top, right? While tomatoes are a bit tricky to start from seeds, they are great transplants. Find small starter tomato plants, and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how easily you'll be able to keep these alive. Look closely at the varieties you choose, as many tomatoes are quite hardy and can grow in almost any climate.

Carrots

Adobe Stock Pinkyone person holding fresh vegetables from garden dirt soil on handsPin
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock / Pinkyone.

These delicious orange veggies are a great source of beta-carotene, many minerals, as well as vitamins A, B, and C. If you plant them when the weather is cool but not freezing, you will find them quite easy to grow. Home-grown carrots tend to be sweeter than those at the grocery store.

Kale

Adobe Stock Arjuna Kodisinghe kale in raised planter box on patioPin
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock / Arjuna Kodisinghe.

Much like lettuce, Kale is an easy option to grow in your home garden. Kale is a great source of calcium, fiber and protein so it's frequently used in recipes to enhance a dish. Surprisingly, Kale can survive a frost (though not for extended periods of time) and doesn't go to see when it gets too hot. This makes it one of the easiest vegetables to grow.

Green Beans

Adobe Stock Lovely Mama hands holding green beans in gardenPin
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock / Lovely Mama.

Green Beans are not only delicious, but they're full of protein and fiber. They can help reduce inflammation and regulate blood pressure. They can grow well even in poor soil. You'll need to decide between a bush or pole variety (which will need a trellis). Both will produce a delicious crop that helps keep you healthy.

Zucchini

Adobe Stock Wavebreak Media Micro man holding fresh zucchini in garden waterPin
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock / Wavebreak Media Micro.

Zucchini is a great vegetable to eat as it's high in Vitamin A and B6. Studies suggest it can help regulate blood glucose levels. Plus, since it's easily grown from seeds or transplants, it's a perfect option to try growing yourself. Just make sure you give it plenty of room to spread out. Soon, you'll have lots of zucchini to saute, use in soups, grill, or just eat fresh!

Radishes

Unlimphotos Alfotokunst radishes with soil on tablePin
Photo Credit: Unlimphotos / Alfotokunst.

If you're looking for another root vegetable to grow, give radishes a try! Of course, they're delicious in salads, on a sandwich, or paired with hummus. They are also very easy to grow, whether in the shade or full sun. Radishes do well when paired with carrots in your garden. Grow both to end up with lots of delicious vegetables full of vitamins and minerals.

12 Popular Plants to Absolutely Avoid Growing In Your Garden

Adobe Stock Irina Schmidt wisteria blossoms in bloom walkwayPin
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock / Irina Schmidt.

While gardening can be fun, make sure you avoid the plants on this list unless you want a headache. Some plants can become quite invasive and others have roots that can destroy the foundation of your house or break up sidewalks. Keep these plants out of your garden and you're on your way to a more pleasant and low-maintenance gardening experience.

Gorgeous, Self-Seeding Flowers You'll Only Have to Plant Once

Adobe Stock Moodboard mother daughter picking colorful flowers gardenPin
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock / Moodboard.

Growing flowers from seeds is an inexpensive and great way to grow annuals (plants that only live for one year). However, just because you plant them once doesn't mean you'll have to re-plant them each. Some plants self-seed quite easily and will come back year after year with very little effort on your part. Many of these flowers also attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, to your garden.

Save Your Succulents With This Critical Watering Technique And Look Like A Pro

how to water succulents properly indoors outdoorsPin
Photo Credit: Succulents and Sunshine.

A big part of keeping succulents healthy is providing them with the right environment. You'll want to pay attention to the soil they're in, how much sunlight they're getting, and most importantly, how often you're watering them. The method and frequency of watering succulents are critical to preventing rot while encouraging lots of new growth.

Are These Weird Succulents Too Ugly To Grow In Your Garden?

Keith Taylor Avonia quinariaPin
Photo Credit: Keith Taylor.

Most people think of succulents as beautiful rosettes with thick, colorful leaves. They're tough and can withstand long periods of drought. But not all succulents are beautiful. This can be a heated discussion, but while many think these weird succulents are cool, others won't even consider buying them. Would you grow any of the ugly succulents on this list?

7 Worst Mistakes Beginners Make When Growing Succulents

arrangement with echeveria neon breakers sempervivum aloePin
Photo Credit: Succulents and Sunshine.

Many people assume that they can take care of succulent plants however they want -- just treat them like normal house plants. The problem is succulents aren't like most other house plants. They have completely different watering needs and often need more sunlight and airflow than other plants. Find out what the most common succulent mistakes are and how to avoid them.

This article originally appeared on Succulents and Sunshine.