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Easiest Vegetables to Grow for First-Time Gardeners
15
items Perfect for new gardeners who want a high success rate and quick results.
Why they’re easy: Radishes grow quickly—some varieties are ready in as little as 3 weeks. Best for: Quick gratification and small spaces. Tip: Sow seeds directly in the soil and thin them out as they grow for the best results.
Radishes
Why they’re easy: Fast-growing, low-maintenance, and great for cut-and-come-again harvesting. Best for: Salad lovers and container gardeners. Tip: Keep soil consistently moist and harvest leaves as needed to keep the plant producing.
Lettuce
Why they’re easy: Very productive plants—one or two can feed a family. Best for: Larger garden beds with full sun. Tip: Watch for squash bugs and pick fruits while young and tender.
Zucchini
Why they’re easy: No need for support structures and they germinate quickly. Best for: Garden beds or large containers. Tip: Harvest regularly to encourage more production.
Green Beans (Bush Variety)
Why they’re easy: More forgiving than large tomato varieties and super productive. Best for: Patio containers or sunny garden spots. Tip: Choose disease-resistant varieties like ‘Sun Gold’ or ‘Sweet 100’ and provide a small cage or stake.
Cherry Tomato
Why they’re easy: Thrives in cooler weather and grows fast. Best for: Spring and fall planting. Tip: Harvest outer leaves first to keep the plant going longer.
Spinach
Why they’re easy: You plant it in the fall and forget about it until summer. Best for: Long-term payoff with very little maintenance. Tip: Plant individual cloves pointy side up, and mulch well.
Garlic
Why they’re easy: Hardy, cold-tolerant, and pest-resistant. Best for: Nutrient-rich greens almost year-round. Tip: Aphids might show up, but a blast of water usually takes care of them.
Kale
Why they’re easy: They grow underground and don’t need constant care. Best for: Deep containers or raised beds. Tip: Start with seed potatoes and mound soil around the plant as it grows.
Potatoes
Why they’re easy: Can be regrown from store-bought roots or started from seed. Best for: Continuous harvest from a small space. Tip: Snip what you need and let the plant keep growing.
Green Onions (Scallions)
Why they’re easy: Minimal maintenance once they’re in the ground. Best for: Loose, sandy soil or deep containers. Tip: Keep soil moist while seeds germinate, and thin seedlings for better-sized roots.
Carrots
Why they’re easy: Thrive in warm weather and don’t require much maintenance. Best for: Gardeners who want a splash of color and versatility in the kitchen. Tip: Use mulch to retain moisture and pick often to encourage more fruiting.
Peppers (Especially Bell or Banana Peppers)
Why they’re easy: Cold-hardy and quick to mature. Best for: Early spring planting and vertical space using a trellis. Tip: Sow directly into the ground and keep soil moist.
Peas (Sugar Snap or Snow)
Why they’re easy: Tolerates heat and cold, and it’s both ornamental and edible. Best for: Bright, colorful garden beds and regular harvests. Tip: Snip outer leaves and the plant will continue to grow from the center.
Swiss Chard
Why they’re easy: Fast-growing vines with high yields. Best for: Full-sun areas or trellised containers. Tip: Water consistently to avoid bitterness and use a trellis to save space and improve airflow.
Cucumbers (Bush or Pickling Types)