10 EASY VEGETABLES TO GROW FROM SEED

This is not a complete list, by any means, but these are considered some of the easiest and most common vegetables that can be grown from seeds.

1. BEANS

Bean plants are fast growers and thrive in warm, moist soil. Bush beans need no support, but pole beans do need to climb something, such as poles, strings, trellises, or tepees.

2. BEETS

Beet roots will develop quickly and uniformly in loose soil, so before planting, work the soil to remove clumps and stones. If you prefer to harvest small beets, double the number of seeds per row; crowding results in small roots. A mix of seeds from red, yellow, and white beets will yield a variety of flavors and colors.

3. CARROTS

Many beginners find their carrots are short and deformed. It’s important to provide well-drained, soft soil. Mix in some sand and really loosen it up. Also, it is essential to THIN carrot seedlings to the proper spacing so they’re not overcrowded. Be bold! Thin those seedlings if you want carrots to form properly.

4. CUCUMBERS

Prepare in advance for cucumbers; amend the soil with a fertilizer high in nitrogen and potassium to support the plant’s large yields. If possible, plant cucumbers in the sun next to a fence. The fence will serve as support for climbing and act as a shelter. Or plant them near corn. The corn will trap the heat that cucumbers crave and also serve as a windbreak. 

5. KALE

Super-nutritious kale is an easy member of the cabbage family to grow. You can set out plants any time from early spring to early summer and kale will grow until it gets too hot. 

6. LETTUCE

Lettuce is one of the few “vegetables” that does fine in some shade and, in extremely hot weather, actually prefers a shady respite. Lettuce growth slows in shade; it is also slower to go to seed, or “bolt.” If you want full heads of romaine and head lettuce to develop, thin them. Allow for 8 to 10 inches between plants.

7. PEAS

Plant peas as soon as the soil can be worked—2 weeks before to harvest a continuous supply of peas during the summer, simultaneously sow varieties with different maturity dates. Then sow more seeds about 2 weeks later. Continue this pattern, sowing no later than mid-June.

8. PUMPKINS

Growing a pumpkin is easy and fun. Just give them warm soil that’s rich in compost because they’re greedy eaters. Water often, as they drink a lot, too. Plant seeds on a mound and give them plenty of room (3-foot diameter) for their vines to sprawl. 

9. RADISHES

Radish seeds are natural companions to carrots. Mix radish seeds with carrot seeds before you sow, especially if your soil tends to develop a tough crust. The quick-to-sprout radishes will push up through the soil, breaking it up for the later-sprouting carrots. As you harvest the radishes, the carrots will fill in the row.

10. SQUASH (ZUCCHINI)

Like pumpkins, squash and zucchini also like well-composted soil and need plenty of space (3 to 6 feet apart, warm soil, and lots of sun.) Always water at the soil level—not the leaves—to avoid powdery mildew. Soon enough, you’ll have so many zucchinis, you’ll be leaving them on neighbors’ doorsteps!

Happy gardening, Yours in the garden Farm2Markt.