9 Easiest Vegetables To Start Growing in Your Home Garden
What could be more fun than harvesting your own vegetables throughout the summer? 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.
Carrots
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.
Lettuce
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
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.
Zucchini
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!
Green Beans
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 help keep you healthy.
Peas
If you've 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.
Radishes
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.
Cucumbers
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.
Kale
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.
12 Popular Plants to Absolutely Avoid Growing In Your Garden
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.
7 Worst Mistakes Beginners Make When Growing Succulents
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.
Are These Weird Succulents Too Ugly To Grow In Your Garden?
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?