Introduction
The cooler months are fast approaching and that means it’s time to start planning your spring garden. When it comes to vegetables, some of them can be planted once and harvested all season long. Here are my favorite six vegetables that you can plant now and not have to worry about again until next year:
1. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable that grows in the same way as spinach, kale and other leafy greens. The young leaves are harvested during the spring and summer seasons, while the mature leaves can be harvested all summer long. Swiss chard is rich in vitamins A, C, and K; it also contains iron, magnesium and calcium. It’s easy to grow from seed or from plants purchased at your local garden center.
Swiss chard grows well with other vegetables such as tomatoes or peppers (both hot peppers like jalapeños or bell peppers). You can also plant them alongside onions because they repel pests like flea beetles that eat your plants!
2. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a great plant to have in your garden because they grow quickly and can be harvested all summer long. Cucumbers are best planted in full sun and well-drained soil. They can be grown on a trellis, or you can just let them drape over the ground. Plant cucumber seeds about 1 inch deep, 2 inches apart, and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Cucumbers should begin to appear in about 30 days, depending on how hot it is outside!
To harvest your cucumbers when they’re ready (about 6 inches long) simply snap them off with your hands or cut them off with scissors if you want to keep them for longer than a few days before eating them fresh from the vine…
3. Radishes
Radishes are an easy to grow and versatile vegetable. They’re a great choice for kids to try their hand at gardening, because they are fast growing (typically three to four weeks from seed to harvest), colorful, and often offer their own built-in markers for how long you should wait until the radish is ready for eating.
Radishes can be grown in pots or small garden beds and will be happy with just about any amount of sun exposure! If your soil has more clay than you’d like, it’s best to choose radish varieties that have been bred specifically for clay soils—these types tend to have fewer problems with fungus diseases than other varieties do. Overall though radishes are pretty hardy plants so they’ll do just fine without much care at all!
You’ll find many different kinds of radishes out there including spring types which are harvested early in the season; winter types which can be stored over winter months; globular shaped ones that make great garnishes; white ones which taste like turnips; Chinese Daikon which grow huge but don’t produce many seeds so they’re great if you want lots of leaves rather than pods or flowers too…the list goes on!
4. Lettuce
- Lettuce
Lettuce is a great addition to any meal, and it’s also one of the easiest plants to grow. This cool season crop can be sown in spring or fall but needs protection from frost in order to thrive. Lettuce is incredibly versatile: It can be used as a garnish or salad base, or even served up like spinach on its own! And it’s the perfect ingredient for sandwiches, tacos and wraps — just add some fresh herbs like basil or cilantro along with some grilled chicken breast for an easy dinner that will fill you up without weighing you down afterwards.
So just because there’s no growing season doesn’t mean you have to give up fresh vegetables! Try these four vegetables next time you’re looking for something new and tasty: radishes (easy), kale (nutritious), lettuce (versatile) and cucumbers (easy).
5. Carrots
Carrots can be planted in spring, but they’re also very hearty and will grow well in the summer as well. They need full sun and loose soil to grow their best; water regularly (about an inch per week), especially if your area is humid or rainy. To harvest, wait until carrots are about 2-3 inches long–they’ll be soft enough to pull from the ground without breaking easily.
6. Eggplant
Eggplant is a warm season vegetable and should be planted after the last frost.
- Eggplants are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, magnesium and folate. They are also a great source of dietary fiber. The purple variety contains anthocyanins which are powerful antioxidants that help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease.
- Look for eggplant with deep color and firm texture as they will be more flavorful than those that are pale or soft to the touch.
Planting vegetables can be a breeze if you use one of these vegetables.
If you’re new to gardening, consider planting one of these vegetables. They’re easy to maintain, don’t need a big garden, and require little time and energy.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants for home gardening because they’re so versatile. You can eat them raw or cooked, in salads or sauces—the possibilities are endless! Planting tomatoes is not difficult at all; simply add some compost or fertilizer before planting them in soil that drains well but doesn’t dry out too quickly (tomato plants hate wet feet). You’ll want your tomato plants to get plenty of sunlight each day, so make sure they get at least six hours of good sun exposure each day. And don’t forget about watering! Watering once every few days will keep your tomatoes thriving all summer long.
Conclusion
I hope this blog has helped you decide which vegetables are best for your garden. I have found that these plants are easy to grow, nutritious and delicious! Let me know what you think in the comments below or on social media using the hashtag #plantsaregoodforyou