More and more of us are using our outdoor space to grow food. It saves money, cuts down on air miles and makes us more self-sufficient. Not to mention the pride you will have when harvesting your homegrown crops that will taste so much better than shop-bought ones.
So what better way to self-sustain ourselves and our families than to grow our own crops? These easy vegetables to grow are just that – EASY. If you’ve got even the smallest backyard, or even a balcony, you CAN grow these vegetables. All they require is spring/summer weather (above 70F), a little sun, and some good quality soil. In no time, you’ll be able to provide your family with freshly picked vegetables!
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are another really easy crop to grow. They’re pretty prolific so unless you plan on canning or preserving them 3-4 plants should be plenty for fresh eating. They are a vine as well so you will need to trellis them. Seeds should be planted in the ground after the danger of frost has past. Most varieties take 50-60 days until harvest.
Peas
Peas are a fuss-free crop that don’t mind cooler weather, so you don’t have to worry about starting the seedlings off indoors. Simply sow the seeds in the ground from February onwards and watch them grow.
Bear in mind that the plants need support – put in bamboo canes or chicken wire attached to posts and occasionally wind the stems around as they grow. Pick fresh peas from June to October – the more you pick, the more will grow!
Eating them as soon as you pick them will give you that sweet, sugary kick.
Onions
Onions are practically maintenance-free vegetables. Plant sets, which are like baby onions, instead of seeds for better results. They need an open, sunny site with well-drained soil – they don’t like excess water.
Plant from mid-March to mid-April by pushing the set into the soil until just the tip is showing. Water in dry spells and keep surrounding soil clear of weeds. Remove any flower spikes as soon as they appear to focus the plant’s energy on making sweet bulbs.
Harvest the onions when the leaves turn yellow and die back. If you want to store them, leave them out to dry in the sun for two or three weeks. For an even easier crop, try growing spring onions.
Carrots
Carrots are a cold weather root crop that are easy to grow. Make sure your soil is loose so the roots grow straight. Sow seeds on top of soil and lightly cover with dirt 4-6 weeks before average first frost date. You will need to thin seeds once they are about 3″-4″. Most varieties take 60-80 days until harvest.
Tomatoes
They are one of the most popular veg plants to grow and can easily be grown from seeds. If you’re growing them outdoors they can be sown from late March, but if you are opting to grow in a greenhouse, you can start sowing from late February.
Tomatoes even grow in hanging baskets, trailing down fresh, juicy tomatoes.
Plant tomatoes in grow bags that have rich soil and remember to keep them somewhere warm and sunny, as that’s what ripens the fruit. If you don’t want to mess about with seedlings, buy a ready-started plug plant.
Peppers
Peppers are another heat loving plant. If you’re just starting out then I would suggest buying starts at your local nursery and planting in the ground after all danger of frost has past and night temps reach 55 degrees. I’ve had the most success with jalapeños, banana peppers and cayenne peppers. I’ve found bell peppers to be a little bit more finicky. Seeds can also be started indoors 8-10 weeks before transplanting.