Let’s face it. Even with the best of intentions, successful gardens often elude us. If you’re a brand new green thumb, the whole thing can feel super overwhelming. Luckily, you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to easy garden vegetables to grow.
Whether you’ve been growing for a while or you’re just getting started, these options are sure to help. You’ll find some of my personal favorites to grow from seed and from plant starts that grow quickly and with fewer problems.
Save a few bucks, live more sustainably, and enjoy some fresh, home grown produce.
Down below, you’ll find a list of my personal favorites with pros, cons, and pointers for each type of plant. Let’s get growing!
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In a hurry? Here’s a quick list of my top 10 easy garden vegetables to grow.
Easy Garden Vegetables to Grow from Seed
These options will get you started in the garden for the cost of some dirt and a few seed packets. I’ve included some of my favorite easy garden vegetables to grow. They rarely fail for me, and I’m always left with that motivated feeling that helps get me out in the garden more often.
1. Radishes
Advantages:
- Quick producers – some varieties go from seed to harvest in under 28 days! Talk about motivation.
- Variety – The options are limitless. Mild or spicy, small or gigantic, round or oblong, and available in practically every color of the rainbow.
- Fully edible – Did you know that radish greens are also edible and tasty? It’s like getting two crops for one!
- Space saving – Depending on the variety, you can usually grow anywhere from 6 to 16 radishes per square foot. Most types don’t need deep soil either, so you can easily grow a decent crop in a small pot.
- Kid friendly – Seeds aren’t super small, they don’t need much care, they’re tough to kill, and they pop up quick. Perfect for inspiring kiddos in the garden.
Challenges:
- Not a family favorite – If you don’t love radishes, there’s not much point in growing them. That said, you might just be surprised if you give them a try!
- An ingredient – If you’re going for maximum meals in minimum space, radishes might not be the best option. For most people, they’re more of a side or garnish.
- Cool weather crop – Radishes prefer cool, moist conditions and don’t do well in the heat of a southern summer. Stick to early spring or fall plantings unless you live in a moderate climate.
- Can’t see the bulb – Knowing when to harvest radishes can be tricky since the main bulb grows underground.
Tips and Tricks:
- Radishes are perfect for intercropping. Drop seeds between rows of slow to mature veggies.
- Avoid high nitrogen fertilizer unless you love radish greens.
- Keep your soil moist but not wet.
- Radish bulbs tend to peek up above the soil level as they mature. Look at soil level for the “shoulders”, and pull yours according to the final size of your seed packet.
2. Okra
Advantages:
- Heat lovers – No Texan’s garden list would be complete without okra. For hot climates, okra can take the heat.
- Prolific – Once it gets going, you’ll need to harvest daily. It grows that quickly.
- Tough to kill – Floods, droughts, neglect, pest infestations – not a problem. The only thing that’ll kill these plants is the cold.
- Handles poor soil – No need for special soils and tons of fertilizer. Okra performs well with a variety of soil types and doesn’t mind a little underwatering.
- Pretty – Just wait until those branches fill up with beautiful blooms that resemble hibiscus flowers.
Challenges:
- Aphid magnets – Aphids love okra plants, which means you’ll likely have to address both aphids and ants. A strong jet spray of water will usually do the trick.
- Not pot friendly – Okra grows a deep taproot that doesn’t handle potting very well. Unless your pot is deep (like a few feet), you’re better off putting it right in the ground.
- Large – Even dwarf varieties usually grow up to 4 feet tall. Full size types can top out at 6 to 8 feet tall. And they branch out. You’ll need some space for these plants.
- Don’t transplant well – Okra doesn’t love being moved, and any damage to that taproot will stunt the plant (not kill it, but stunt it for sure). They really need to be sowed where they’ll grow, which poses problems for cool climates with short growing seasons.
Tips and Tricks:
- Plant seeds directly in the ground after all danger of frost has passed.
- Choose a very sunny spot that drains well.
- Harvest daily at the peak of production, or the pods get woody and hard to eat.
- Easily save seeds by allowing a pod or two to dry fully on the plant at the end of the season.
3. Cucumbers
Advantages:
- Compact options – While many types of cucumbers grow on vines, there are some great bush varieties that will grow ample fruit on short vines, perfect for pots.
- Prolific – Bush or vine variety, a few plants will give you enough cucumbers to make pickles for the whole year! Harvest often during peak production.
- Low maintenance – Cucumbers have a few non-negotiables – pollinators, water, warm but not hot temperatures, and basic pest control. Beyond that, cucumbers basically manage themselves.
- Pretty – Cucumber plants produce lots of bushy green foliage and tons of tiny flowers, so they look lovely in the garden or spilling over a large pot.
Challenges:
- Pollinators required – Cukes won’t produce fruit without pollinators. Bees usually love ’em, but if your plant won’t produce, hand pollination is simple.
- Sprawling vines – Vining varieties will sprawl and climb, sometimes 6 feet or more. Set up a sturdy trellis or stick with bush varieties.
- Pest problems – They’ll attract bees and wasps, but also squash bugs, slugs, and beetles. Mulching helps.
Tips and Tricks:
- Cukes prefer cooler temperatures, so plant in spring or fall.
- Water deeply and often to avoid bitter fruit.
- No pollinators? No problem. Hand pollinate cucumbers easily with a thin paintbrush to amp up production when bees aren’t buzzing.
4. Summer Squash
Advantages:
- Variety – Zucchini and yellow squash aren’t your only options. Explore summer squash in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors to add variety to your summer menu.
- Prolific – There’s a reason people can’t give away all the zucchini they grow at the peak of summer. Most summer squash will continue to produce until the plant succumbs to either disease, pests, or frost.
- Love the heat – Squash don’t handle the cold well, but they love warm weather. Areas with long growing seasons might even get two crops in before winter.
Challenges:
- Pollinators required – Like cucumbers, squash requires pollinators to produce fruit. Luckily, if your plant isn’t producing, hand pollination is simple and quick.
- Large plants – Even compact bush varieties can sprawl a whopping 4 feet in diameter. They’ll grow in pots, but they’ll need room to stretch.
- Pests and disease – Squash bugs love these plants. So does powdery mildew. While you can combat these issues, if you live in a humid southern state, you will eventually lose the battle of pests and disease.
Tips and Tricks:
- Plant these seeds right in the ground as young stems are fragile.
- Water well and at soil level if you can. Overhead watering encourages foliar problems due to soggy leaves.
- When plants start to produce, pick the fruit often to encourage the plant to make more squash.
- No pollinators? No problem. Hand pollinate squash easily by inserting the pollen from male flowers into female ones to amp up production when bees aren’t buzzing.
5. Beans
Advantages:
- Compact varieties – While many types of beans grow on vines, there are some great bush varieties that will grow ample fruit on short vines, perfect for pots.
- Quick producers – There’s a reason beans are such a popular option for grade school classrooms. Beans tend to sprout in just a few days, making them a motivating plant for kids and beginners. They also mature quickly and produce for about a month, just long enough not to overwhelm.
- Many options – You can grow bush or vining beans, dry beans or beans for fresh eating, and come in a multitude of beautiful colors.
- Great climbers – Setting up a bean trellis in a pot works well for vining varieties. Beans are also especially well suited to Three Sisters gardening and readily crawl up tall, sturdy plants like okra, corn, or sunflowers.
Challenges:
- May require fertilization– The internet will tell you that beans don’t need much extra nutrition, but that’s not my experience. If leaves begin to yellow, a nitrogen rich fertilizer may be needed.
- Sprawling vines – Vining varieties will sprawl and climb, sometimes 6 feet or more. Set up a sturdy trellis or stick with bush varieties.
- Disease – Beans can be prone to fungal and bacterial problems. Watch plants carefully and avoid planting in the same place year after year to prevent infecting bean plants in the future.
Tips and Tricks:
- Plant in a sunny, warm spot. Cold, wet soil will cause seeds to rot.
- Harvest beans small but mature to encourage more growth and avoid stringiness.
- Three Sisters gardening with beans is a blast. Start with a tall plant like corn or sunflowers. When those are about knee high, plant beans around stalks. Two weeks later, plant a vining squash. The tall plants provide trellising for beans. Beans help give nitrogen to the soil. Squash works as a living mulch, protecting the root systems of everything. Plus, you get 3 crops in one plot.
6. Micro Greens and Baby Greens
Advantages:
- Super fast – Micro greens and baby greens of any lettuce variety can be ready for harvest in just a few weeks and pack a nutritional punch.
- Indoor friendly – Since these greens won’t go to full maturity, they’re easy to grow indoors with a simple grow light or sunny window and a shallow dish.
- Resilient – Baby plants require some delicate care, but they bounce back quickly to minor abuse.
Challenges:
- Requires lots of seeds – Since you harvest the plants very small, a single seed pack grows only a few servings. You’ll need a lot of seeds for frequent harvest.
- Requires growing medium – While sprouts don’t need soil, micro greens and baby greens do.
- Not usually heat tolerant – Depending on the variety you choose, most micro greens need a little TLC and don’t hold up will to extreme heat or dry conditions.
Tips and Tricks:
- Some micro green varieties are one-and-done. Others will regrow. A quick Google search will tell you which is which.
- Baby greens, when carefully harvested, can be cut-and-come-again plants.
- Misting or very gentle watering is necessary to avoid washing away tiny lettuce seeds.
7. Peas
Advantages:
- Compact options – While many types of peas grow on vines, there are some great bush varieties that will grow ample fruit on short plants, perfect for pots (with a little trellising).
- Prolific – Bush or vine variety, a few plants will give you enough cucumbers to make pickles for the whole year! Harvest often during peak production.
- Frost tolerant – Since peas are a cold weather crop, you can actually plant them while temperatures are still in the 30’s. Plants also hold up well to frost, making them perfect for late fall and mild winter climates.
Challenges:
- Trellising needed – Even bush peas will grow a couple feet tall and put out tendrils. Those tendrils wrap around EVERYTHING. Some level of trellising is needed even with compact varieties. Those tendrils will literally pull the plants around them out of the ground.
- Cool weather crop – Most varieties of peas stop producing well once temperatures hit the mid 80’s. Peas will struggle in year round hot climates.
- Pest problems – Aphids can be a problem, which also usually means ants. My pea plants this year have become a shelter for the largest anthill I’ve ever seen…
Tips and Tricks:
- Direct sow peas as soon as the soil is workable. Delicate root systems don’t like transplanting.
- Like beans, choose a spot with well-draining soil. Pea seeds will rot in soggy conditions.
- Trellis them. Seriously, even compact, bush varieties. Those tendrils don’t mess around.
Easy Garden Vegetables to Grow from Starts
Not everything starts easily from seed. You can buy these easy garden vegetables to grow at your local garden center or grocery store. They’re tricky to start from seed, but with a healthy baby plant, you can be well on your way to home grown produce with minimal frustration.
8. Tomatoes
Advantages:
- So many options – Seriously, so many. Cherries, grapes, slicers, beefsteaks, heirlooms, sauce tomatoes, and so much more. You can find varieties that grow less than a foot tall and types that practically grow tress. They come in every color imaginable and in dozens of flavors.
- Container friendly – A benefit of having a million varieties is that many of them are container friendly and can still do well in small spaces.
- Flavor – There’s nothing like a garden tomato. They’re a bit of work, but it’s well worth the payoff of that incredible, fresh from the vine flavor.
Challenges:
- Require staking – Tomatoes will sprawl on the ground, but the plant suffers. Stake or cage tomatoes to limit disease and pest problems.
- Pruning needed – With rare exception, tomatoes do better when you prune them, which means you’ll need to learn to prune them!
- Pest problems – I’m mostly talking birds and squirrels here. They love to poke holes in ripe tomatoes. Install netting or harvest just before ripe, so you actually get some tomatoes.
- Extreme heat sensitive – Indeterminate varieties will survive from early spring through the first frost if well tended. However, tomatoes don’t love extreme heat (above the mid 90’s or so). They’ll drop flowers and stop producing in the heat of summer but often come back in early fall.
Tips and Tricks:
- Plant tomato starts deeply (like up to the last set of leaves) to encourage a strong root system.
- Check carefully to see if your variety is determinate (produces all at once and then stops) or indeterminate (continually produces through the growing season). This impacts how you care for them.
- Learn to prune tomato plants to keep them well managed, productive, and disease free.
- Water consistently to avoid cracking and splitting on ripe fruit.
9. Peppers
Advantages:
- Container friendly – They won’t grow as robustly, but most varieties still do quite well in containers.
- Prolific – The smaller the pepper, the more you can expect to harvest.
- Lots of variety – Peppers are another way to add variety to the garden. Whether you like hot or sweet, big or small, there’s something to love. You can also find every color under the sun and tons of different shapes and textures.
- Pretty – When peppers start to produce fruit, they can look very ornamental and pretty mixed into a flower bed or pretty pot.
Challenges:
- Feed heavily – Peppers require a steady stream of nutrients to do their best. Expect to fertilize often.
- Extreme heat sensitive – Like tomatoes, peppers don’t love extreme heat. Even extremely hot varieties drop flowers when days hit the mid 90’s. They’ll produce again when temperatures drop down a bit.
- Not frost tolerant – Don’t like the heat or the cold! Pepper plants will die with frost and any fruit left on the vine will turn to mush. Harvest your last crop before freezing temperatures arrive.
Tips and Tricks:
- Seed germination takes forever, so stick with plant starts at first. So much more motivating!
- Water consistently to avoid small, bitter fruit.
- Provide a little shade in the heat of summer to prevent sunburned peppers.
10. Herbs
Advantages:
- Variety – Even buying starts, you can find tons of options and varieties of herbs at your local store.
- Pot friendly – Most herbs won’t require deep soil to root and are perfect for small pots on the patio or balcony.
- Pest resistant – If you’re familiar with companion planting, you already know that lots of herbs can be used to deter pests and keep them away from your other garden veggies.
Challenges:
- Watch for spreaders – Some herbs, like mint or thyme, propagate by setting new roots wherever stems touch soil. If you put them directly in the ground, they can easily take over your whole yard.
- Temperature sensitivity – Herbs are hearty, but just like other plants, they have different weather needs. Some will survive a snowpocalypse and a blazing summer. Others bolt at the first sign of heat or turn to mush with a little frost.
- Pest problems – They’ll attract bees and wasps, but also squash bugs, slugs, and beetles. Mulching helps.
Tips and Tricks:
- Pinch flowers off stems like thyme, basil, and cilantro to encourage continued growth.
- Do a little research on your varieties to make sure you’re planting at the right time. I learned the hard way that cilantro and dill don’t thrive in my Texas summer heat!
- Don’t pull the plant just because the season’s over. Thyme, lavender, mint, purslane, and more will come back year after year.
What Are Your Favorite Easy Garden Vegetables to Grow?
When it comes to beginner friendly backyard produce, you’ve got lots of simple options to get you started! These are just some of my favorite easy garden vegetables to grow based on my gardening experience in North Texas, zone 8A.
I’d love to know about some of your personal beginner friendly favorites! Let us know down below.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to share this post on your favorite social media, follow us, and subscribe to our newsletter, so you can stay up to date on all the latest updates and events.
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