8 Easiest Vegetables to Grow at Home Beginner’s Guide

It’s good to be aware if you’re a novice gardener which vegetables are the easiest to grow. These eight veggies are foolproof — even for those of us with a black thumb.

Our list below includes a mix of common vegetables along with some lesser-known (but still delicious) options. All of them are relatively low maintenance and will provide you with a bountiful harvest come summertime.

You may also plant your own at home just from seed. Check out our list of the best vegetables to grow from seed for more ideas.

Should I Grow Vegetables from Seed or Transplants?

The best way to get started gardening is to plant vegetables from transplants. Transplants are small plants that have been started indoors in a controlled environment and then moved outdoors. They’re available at most nurseries and garden centers in the spring.

Starting your garden with transplants is easier than starting from seed, and it gives you a head start on the growing season. If you’re short on space, some vegetables can even be grown in pots.

That said, there’s nothing wrong with growing your own vegetables from seed. In fact, it can be quite satisfying to see a tiny seedling turn into a full-grown plant.

Here are a handful of the benefits of starting from seeds:

• You’ll have a greater variety of plants to choose from.
• You can start your seeds indoors, giving them a head start on the growing season.
• It’s cheaper than buying transplants.
• If you save seeds from your own plants, you can grow them again next year.

Now that we’ve gone over the basics, let’s take a look at some of the best vegetables to grow in your garden.

1. Lettuce. Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Lettuce

About Lettuce

Lettuce is one of the quickest and easiest vegetables to grow at home. In fact, it’s so easy that you can actually grow it indoors on your windowsill. All you need is a pot, some potting soil, and a little bit of water. You can even grow lettuce from the scraps of another head of lettuce — just place the bottom of the lettuce in a pot of water and wait for it to sprout new leaves.

When to Plant Lettuce

Lettuce is a cool-weather crop, which means it does best when temperatures are between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. In most parts of the country, this means you can start planting lettuce in early spring, as soon as the ground thaws. If you live in a warmer climate, you may be able to plant lettuce in late winter.

How to Plant Lettuce

To plant lettuce, simply clear a space in your garden bed and dig a small hole. Then, place the lettuce plant in the hole and cover it with soil. Water the plant well and keep the soil moist. Lettuce is a shallow-rooted plant, so it doesn’t need a deep hole. In fact, planting it too deeply can actually cause it to bolt, or go to seed.

Once your lettuce is planted, you’ll need to thin it out so that the plants have enough room to grow. To do this, simply pull up some of the seedlings and discard them. You should thin your lettuce plants when they are about 4 inches tall.

How to Harvest Lettuce

Lettuce is a fast-growing crop, which means it will be ready to harvest in just a few weeks. The exact amount of time will depend on the type of lettuce you’re growing and the weather conditions.

How to Delay Bolting

Lettuce plants will bolt, or go to seed when the weather gets warm. This causes the leaves to become bitter and inedible. To avoid this, you can take a few steps:

• Choose a heat-resistant variety of lettuce.
• Plant your lettuce in a shady spot.
• Water your plants regularly to keep them cool and hydrated.
• Harvest your lettuce early in the day, when temperatures are cooler.

How to Store Lettuce

Once your lettuce is harvested, you’ll need to store it properly to keep it fresh. Lettuce is a delicate crop, so it doesn’t store well. The best way to store lettuce is in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. You can also wrap the leaves in a damp paper towel before storing them in the fridge.

Ideally, you should eat your lettuce within a few days of harvest. However, if you need to store it for longer, you can blanch the leaves and freeze them. To do this, simply boil the leaves for 3 minutes and then place them in a bowl of ice water. Once they’re cool, drain them and place them in a freezer-safe bag.

Lettuce Pests and Diseases

Lettuce is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. However, there are a few that you should be on the lookout for:

Aphids: These small, pear-shaped insects can cause damage to your lettuce plants by sucking the juice from the leaves. Aphids can also spread disease. To control them, simply blast them off of your plants with a strong stream of water. You can also try using insecticidal soap.

Slugs and Snails: These slimy pests love to eat lettuce leaves. To control them, you can set out traps or hand-pick them from your garden. You can also try using barriers such as diatomaceous earth or copper tape.

Downy Mildew: This fungal disease causes the leaves of your lettuce plants to develop a white or gray mold. It can also cause the leaves to wilt and die. Downy mildew is most common in humid climates. To control it, water your plants early in the day so that the leaves have time to dry before nightfall.

Overall

Lettuce is a relatively easy crop to grow. With a little care, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown lettuce all season long!

2. Tomatoes. Planting, Growing, and Harvesting

Tomatoes are a warm-weather crop that is typically planted in late spring, after the last frost. In some parts of the country, you may be able to plant tomatoes as early as March. However, if you live in a colder climate, you may need to wait until May or June.

How to Plant Tomatoes

When you’re ready to plant, choose a sunny spot in your garden bed. Then, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the tomato plant’s root ball. Next, gently remove the plant from its pot and place it in the hole. Be careful not to damage the roots.

After you’ve planted your tomatoes, water them well and keep the soil moist. Tomatoes are thirsty plants and they need regular watering, especially when they are fruiting.

Watering

Tomatoes need about 1 inch of water per week. The best way to water tomatoes is to use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system. This will help to avoid getting the leaves wet, which can lead to fungal diseases.

If you’re hand-watering your plants, be sure to water at the base of the plant. Avoid getting the leaves wet if possible.

Fertilizing Tomatoes

To keep your plants healthy and productive, you should fertilize them regularly. Tomatoes are heavy feeders and they will benefit from a regular application of fertilizer. Look for a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen and low in phosphorus.

You can apply fertilizer to your plants every 4 weeks or so. Be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer package, as too much fertilizer can damage your plants.

Pruning Tomatoes

As your tomato plants grow, you’ll need to prune them to keep them under control. Pruning also helps to increase air circulation, which can help to prevent fungal diseases.

To prune your plants, simply remove any dead or diseased leaves and branches. You can also remove any suckers that are growing from the base of the plant. Suckers are small shoots that grow in the crotch between the main stem and a side branch.

How to Harvest Tomatoes

Tomatoes are typically ready to harvest about 90 days after planting. The exact amount of time will depend on the variety of tomato you’re growing. To tell if your tomatoes are ready to pick, gently squeeze them. If they give a little, they’re ripe.

How to Store Tomatoes

Once your tomatoes are harvested, you can store them in a cool, dry place. Tomatoes will continue to ripen off the vine, so you can let them sit out on the counter for a few days before eating them. However, if you need to store them for longer, you can put them in the refrigerator.

Types of Tomatoes

• Determinate tomatoes: These varieties grow to a certain size and then stop. They typically produce all of their fruit at once, so they are good for canning or making tomato sauce.
• Indeterminate tomatoes: These varieties will continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the season. They are good for fresh eating or slicing into salads.
• Cherry tomatoes: These varieties are small and round, like cherries. They are sweet and juicy, making them perfect for snacking or adding to salads.
• Heirloom tomatoes: These varieties are open-pollinated, meaning they can be grown from seed. They come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. Many heirloom varieties have unique flavors that you can’t find in grocery stores.
• Plum tomatoes: These varieties are oval-shaped and usually have a deep red color. They are thick and fleshy, making them ideal for canning or making tomato sauce.

Tomato Problems

1. Blossom end rot: This is a common problem that is caused by a lack of calcium in the soil. To prevent blossom end rot, be sure to fertilize your plants regularly with a fertilizer that contains calcium. You can also try adding some crushed eggshells to the soil around your plants.
2. Early blight: This fungal disease can affect both determinate and indeterminate varieties of tomatoes. Early blight is characterized by brown or black spots on the leaves and stems of the plant. It can eventually spread to the fruit, causing it to rot. To control early blight, water your plants at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet. You can also try using a fungicide.
3. Late blight: This fungal disease is similar to early blight, but it affects the fruit of the plant more than the leaves. Late blight can cause the fruit to rot and can make the plant produce less fruit.
4. Tomato hornworms: These large green caterpillars can wreak havoc on your tomato plants. They will eat the leaves and fruit of the plant, causing extensive damage.
5. To control tomato hornworms, you can hand-pick them off of your plants or use a biological insecticide.
6. Plant pests: There are a number of pests that can affect tomato plants, including aphids, whiteflies, and tomato fruitworms. To control these pests, you can use a chemical insecticide or a biological insecticide. You can also try to attract helpful insects to your garden, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which will eat the pests.
7. Soil-borne diseases: There are a number of diseases that can affect tomato plants, including fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, and nematodes. These diseases can be difficult to control, so it’s important to choose disease-resistant varieties of tomatoes when you plant them. You can also try to improve the drainage in your garden and avoid overwatering your plants.

3. Spinach. Planting, Growing, and Harvesting

Spinach is a leafy, green vegetable that is packed with nutrients. It is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium. Spinach can be eaten fresh, cooked, or frozen.

How to plant spinach

1. Choose a sunny spot in your garden. Spinach grows best in full sun, but it will also do well in partial shade.
2. Prepare the soil by tilling it and adding some compost or manure.
3. Thin the seedlings to about 6 inches apart when they are about 2 inches tall.
4. Sow the seeds about ½ inch deep and 12 inches apart.
5. Water the plants regularly, especially during dry periods.
6. Harvest the spinach leaves when they are big enough to eat. You can either pull up the entire plant or cut the leaves off with a sharp knife.
7. Store fresh spinach in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

How to Grow Spinach

Spinach prefers cool weather and will bolt (go to seed) in hot weather. For this reason, it is best to plant spinach in the spring or fall. It can be planted directly in the garden or started indoors and then transplanted outside.

To plant spinach, sow the seeds about ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart. Thin the plants to 6 inches apart when they are 4 inches tall. Spinach can be harvested when the leaves are about 4 inches long.

How to Care for Spinach

To care for spinach, water the plants regularly and fertilize them every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer. Be sure to keep the plants well-watered during hot weather.

How to Harvest Spinach

To harvest spinach, cut the leaves from the plant using a sharp knife. You can also pull up the entire plant and cut off the leaves. Spinach can be harvested when the leaves are about 4 inches long.

How to store Spinach

To store spinach, place the leaves in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator. Spinach will keep for about 1 week.

Popular types of Spinach

There are many different types of spinach, including savoy, semi-savoy, and flat-leaf. The type of spinach you choose will depend on your personal preferences.

Savoy spinach has crinkly leaves and a slightly bitter flavor.

Semi-savoy spinach has crinkly leaves and a milder flavor than savoy spinach.

Flat-leaf spinach has smooth leaves and a slightly sweeter flavor than other types of spinach.

How to Cook Spinach

Spinach can be eaten raw, cooked, or frozen. It can be added to salads, soups, pasta dishes, and more. When cooking spinach, it is important not to overcook it, as it will become mushy.

To cook spinach, wash the leaves and remove any tough stems. Spinach can be steamed, sautéed, or boiled. For a quick and easy way to cook spinach, place the washed and trimmed leaves in a microwave-safe dish with a little water. Cover the dish and cook on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the leaves are wilted.

4. Bell Peppers. Planting, Growing, and Harvesting

Bell peppers are a type of pepper that comes in a variety of colors, including green, red, yellow, and orange. Bell peppers are also known as sweet peppers or capsicum peppers.

Bell peppers are a good source of vitamins A and C. They can be eaten raw, cooked, or roasted.

How to Plant

1. Choose a sunny spot in your garden. Bell peppers need full sun to do well.
2. Prepare the soil by tilling it and adding some compost or manure.
3. Sow the seeds about ½ inch deep and 12 inches apart.
4. Thin the seedlings to about 6 inches apart when they are about 2 inches tall.
5. Water the plants regularly, especially during dry periods.
6. Harvest the bell peppers when they are big enough to eat. You can either pull up the entire plant or cut the peppers off with a sharp knife.
7. Store fresh bell peppers in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

How to Grow

Bell peppers are a warm-weather crop and prefer temperatures between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. They can be planted directly in the garden or started indoors and then transplanted outside.

To plant bell peppers, sow the seeds about ½ inch deep and 12 inches apart. Thin the plants to 6 inches apart when they are 4 inches tall. Bell peppers can be harvested when they are about 4 inches long.

How to Care

To care for bell peppers, water the plants regularly and fertilize them every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer. Be sure to keep the plants well-watered during hot weather.

How to Harvest

To harvest bell peppers, cut the peppers from the plant using a sharp knife. You can also pull up the entire plant and cut off the peppers. Bell peppers can be harvested when they are about 4 inches long.

How to Store

To store bell peppers, place them in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator. Bell peppers will keep for about 1 week.

Popular types

There are many different types of bell peppers, including green, red, yellow, and orange. The type of bell pepper you choose will depend on your personal preferences.

• Green has a slightly bitter flavor.
• Red is sweet and has a slightly spicy flavor.
• Yellow is milder than other types and has a sweet flavor.
• Orange is the sweetest of all types and has a fruity flavor.

5. Carrots. Planting, Growing, and Harvesting

Carrots are a root vegetable that comes in a variety of colors, including orange, yellow, and red. Carrots are a good source of vitamin A and can be eaten raw or cooked.

How to Grow Carrots

Carrots are a cool-weather crop and prefer temperatures between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re planted in loose, sandy soil during the cooler periods of the growing season and can be direct-seeded or started indoors. Many beginners find their carrots are short and deformed. 

This is often due to planting in soil that’s too heavy. The key to growing carrots successfully is to make sure you have loose, sandy soil.

How to Care for Carrots

To care for carrots, water the plants regularly and fertilize them every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer. Be sure to keep the plants well-watered during hot weather. Carrots will do best if they are mulched to help keep the roots cool and moist.

How to Harvest Carrots

To harvest carrots, pull them from the ground using your hands or a shovel. Carrots can be harvested when they are about 6-8 inches long.

How to Store Carrots

To store carrots, place them in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator. Carrots will keep for about 2 weeks.

6. Cucumbers

Plant cucumbers in the sun near a fence, if possible. A fence will provide support for climbing and act as a shelter, while also helping to protect against wind and hail damage. Plant them near corn if feasible. The corn will trap the heat that cucumbers require and also serve as a windbreak because of the maize’s shade.

Cucumbers like full sun and well-drained, fertile soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. If your cucumber plants are sprawling all over the place, it’s a sign that they’re not getting enough sunlight. Provide at least 8 hours of sun per day, if possible.

Water cucumber plants regularly, especially during hot weather. Mulching will help to keep the roots cool and moist. Apply a balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks.

Cucumbers can be harvested when they are about 6-8 inches long. To harvest them, cut the cucumbers from the plant using a sharp knife. Cucumbers can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

There are many different types of cucumbers, including slicing, pickling, and seedless cucumbers. The type of cucumber you choose will depend on your personal preferences.

7. Peas

Plant peas as soon after the soil can be worked as possible—2 weeks before your typical last spring frost, if possible. To produce a steady supply of peas throughout the summer, sow several maturity dates in a single generation. Approximately 2 weeks later, sow more seeds. Sow no later than mid-June in this manner to continue.

8. Zucchini

Zucchini is known to be a heat-loving plant, but it will still produce in cooler temperatures. The secret to a good zucchini crop is consistent moisture.

Squash is usually classified into two types: summer squash (harvest in the summer) and winter squash ( harvested in the fall). Summer squash’s skin, unlike that of winter squash, is edible. Bush varieties of most summer squash now exist, taking up less space than vining plants.

Zucchini is a hardy grower. While each plant will produce several squash during peak season, you’ll usually discover that one or two zucchini plants yield a “bumper” (very large) crop, leaving you with enough to share with friends or bake many zucchini bread!