Vegetable gardening needs patience and hard work. You need to spend a lot of time in your garden to harvest fresh veggies. But if you are one of those restless gardeners who want fresh produce in a short amount of time or you are a beginner who needs crops that are easy to grow, then you should choose fast-growing vegetables.
Quick harvest will encourage new gardeners and kids, and we know that starting a vegetable garden is a great project for them as it will teach them to love veggies.
So if you want to grow vegetables that will give you a harvest in just a few short weeks, try some of the ones listed below. They will be ready to eat in just a couple of weeks – fast food that is good for you!
Spinach
Spinach is one of the fastest-growing vegetables and one of the few who can tolerate partial shade and temperatures as low as 15⁰F. It will also grow in a range of soil types, making it a good choice for beginning gardeners.
Spinach is a cold-hardy vegetable that can be planted as soon as the ground thaws. Just make sure you harvest your spinach on time because its leaves will become bitter once the plant reaches maturity.
Kale
Just like spinach, kale is a cold-tolerant vegetable that can be started outdoors. One thing to know about growing kale is that it needs plenty of water. This is very important as drought can turn its taste more bitter. There are many varieties of kale to choose from. As for harvesting, make sure you harvest the leaves from outside the bunch to let the plant produce for several weeks.
Lettuce
You probably guessed that lettuce would be on the list, but did you know that you can harvest lettuce in only 30 days after sowing? Yes, lettuce is such a wonderful plant! Not to mention how healthy it is. Keep in mind that this green veggie prefers cooler temperatures, which means cool shade in summer will be perfect. And you can also grow lettuce indoors and in containers.
Radishes
Radishes are super fast growing and a must-try veggie for beginners. You don’t even need to start the seedlings indoors. Simply sprinkle the seeds outdoors where you want them. Make sure you thin seedlings carefully so the roots can grow without constraint. Radishes are a perfect choice for a kid’s gardens as they are super easy to grow and come in different colors and flavors.
Zucchini
One of the fastest-growing vegetables from seeds is definitely the zucchini. All they need is some basic care provided, and you will harvest them within 70 days! They are such a great (and healthy) addition to your garden and, of course, to your cuisine as well. A single zucchini plant will produce between 6 to 10 pounds of fruit each season!
Turnips
Turnips are a great choice for beginner gardeners. Both the roots and the leaves can be eaten. You can plant turnips through the entire growing season in many gardening zones. They are ready to harvest in less than 2 months. When they are tender, pick roots – around 2-3 inches around, and harvest leaves when they are young and tender.
Bok Choy
Bok choy is also known as Chinese cabbage. This cool-weather vegetable should be planted in spring and fall. It will be ready to harvest in 30 to 45 days. If you want baby leaves, you can have them in a month; for full-sized bok choy heads, wait a couple of weeks more.
Green Onions
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Scallions or green onions can be harvested in only 21 days or when their green shoots reach a height of 6 inches. What is great about them is that they can be cut back to their base repeatedly throughout the season. They can be grown from seeds, sets, or transplants.
Beets
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Here is another fast-growing vegetable that is edible both above and beneath the soil. The greens of these nutritious veggies are ready to be harvested in about a month. They can be eaten raw or cooked. As for the beet itself, you will need to wait for a month more when its shoulders start to show from the soil.
Baby Carrots
If you want to harvest carrots in a short amount of time, then choose pint-sized varieties like “Little Finger” and “Thumbelina.” They are not only fast-growing but are also very easy to grow in a container. Don’t throw away carrot leaves as they are also edible. Chop them into a tasty salad, or steam your carrots, leaves, and all.
