Easy No-Fail Garden Vegetables To Plant
Spring is finally in the air! If you are looking for an outdoor project to pass the time as well as providing many benefits to yourself, your family, your health, and even better, your wallet, then a vegetable garden is right up your alley! Below are some easy garden vegetables that are packed with nutrients and will provide endless amounts of ingredients for your favorite recipes and summer salads. Let's not forget about the free benefits that the sun and fresh air provide to both our physical and mental well being! All of the vegetables below can be planted in pots or containers if a garden is not feasible for your lifestyle.
Cherry Tomato
These tiny bursts of vibrant color are one of the easiest and most popular vegetables to grow on your own. They are easy to maintain and produce rather quickly. They require direct sunlight and thrive in warm temperatures - 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature to start with. You can grow them in the ground or in a pot/container. If you are growing in the ground, a wooden stake or tomato cage is necessary. If you are using a container, drainage holes are crucial. They should be watered at least every 2-3 days with the soil being moist at all times. Cherry tomatoes can be harvested within 6-8 weeks!
Excellent Source: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, and a powerhouse of antioxidants
Radishes
This robust and peppery flavored root vegetable is an easy crop that requires early spring for planting! The spring radish is the fastest growing and requires either full sun or partial shade. Spring radishes can be harvested within 3-4 weeks. A rule of thumb to remember is if you are experiencing temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit consecutively, then you should hold off until early fall. Radishes require frequent and even watering; if they are left without water they become cracked.
Excellent Source: Vitamin B-6, Vitamin K, Potassium, Magnesium, and Niacin
Kale
Known as one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world, this leafy green vegetable is pretty resilient and can tolerate temperatures anywhere from 20 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Kale requires full sunlight and watering almost every day. You want to make sure you are avoiding low lying areas where flooding or water tends to collect. Many people opt for raised garden beds as an alternative. After the plant has grown at least 8" then you are ready to harvest the leaves.
Excellent Source: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Copper, Magnesium, Calcium, Manganese, and powerful antioxidants such as Quercetin " Kaempferol.
Jalapeños
Jalapeños are very diverse and can be utilized in many different ways! These spicy little fellas crave sunshine and ample amounts of water. Jalapeños thrive in warm conditions and temperatures between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Excellent Source: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-6, and Capsaicin
Spring Onions
Spring onions are one of the easiest and fastest growing vegetables around! They can be grown with seeds or existing bulbs and only take up to 2 weeks to harvest. They can be placed in a small pot or a windowsill garden for easy care. Spring onions do not require strict sunlight, but still need partial sunlight to thrive. They should be planted between March and July.
Excellent Source: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Calcium, Folate, Thiamine, and a plethora of minerals.
Garlic
Garlic is a powerful super-food and has many medicinal properties. Let's not also forget how flavorful this small but mighty vegetable is! Garlic is also incredibly easy to grow and inexpensive. Early spring is the optimal time to start planting, as they require a hot and dry summer to mature. They do not do well in high heat or areas with lots of rain, so don't overdue the watering! (once a week is sufficient enough) All you need is a fresh bulb to start the process by breaking the cloves off but making sure you don't cause damage to the base which will cause the garlic not tp grow. Once planted, it is highly recommended to cover the top soil with mulch, dry leaves, or hay.
Excellent Source: Iron, Copper, Potassium, Manganese, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and is chocked full of Phytochemicals