Biting into a juicy, sweet tomato in the middle of summer, a waft of fragrant basil leaves, the sound of splitting a snap pea in half; there’s nothing like enjoying fresh food grown in your own garden.
Growing a vegetable garden or an edible garden (one that includes herbs and alliums) is a simple way to save a little money, capitalize on what the season offers, and soak up some vitamin D. In addition to these components of a healthy lifestyle, freshly-grown produce typically boasts a higher nutritional content than the produce you snag in the supermarket. Plus, studies have shown that contact with dirt can trigger your brain to release serotonin (the happy hormone).
Anyone who has even the tiniest plot of land to work with can discover the joy of growing food if they stick to these beginner crops.
Tomatoes
You will need to stake, trellis or cage to start in order to keep most varieties of tomato off the ground. Once they begin to grow however, they take off with very little maintenance.
Chives
Chives thrive in moist soil and moderate temperatures. Once these seedlings mature into tall aromatic stalks, they propagate abundantly, so be prepared to harvest them frequently.
Radishes
Plant seeds directly into the soil and be astonished by how quick you can find yourself harvesting bright red radishes, as soon as three weeks for some varieties.
Onion
Keep onion bulbs 4-5 inches from each other in well-drained soil and let them do their thing. Be warned though, most onions take around 4 months to mature.
Lettuce
Plant seeds around ½ inch deep into well-drained but adequately moist soil. Lettuce prefers soil temperatures lower than 80 degrees. To maximize production, plant lettuce seeds in raised beds.
Peas
A low-maintenance crop that prefers cooler temperatures, peas are a great vegetable to grow during the fall or early spring.
Basil
Basil thrives in warmer spots and must be trimmed to prevent it from flowering. As long as you trim it regularly, chances are you’ll have more basil than you know what to do with.
Zucchini
A single plant can grow a generous amount of Zucchini as long as you make sure that the plant receives at least two inches of water per week.
Green beans
Seeds can be sown in early spring in a spot exposed to direct sun. Plant them with a trellis or poles, and expect to harvest in 50-60 days.
Peppers
Peppers grow best in the summer, and similarly to tomatoes, thrive when supported with a stake, a trellis or cage.
This list should give you a good head start, but we recommend you do some additional research and extract some veteran tips from your neighbors if you want to make the most out of the incredibly rewarding hobby.
