Starting Seeds

Easy To Grow Vegetables For First Time Gardener

Easy To Grow Vegetables For First Time Gardener
Jeremy Starke — Green Thumb Gardener

About the Author: Jeremy Starke

I've been growing vegetables since I was 12 — over 30 years in the dirt. I share what actually works in my own Zone 6b garden, and what I wish someone had told me when I started.

Zone 6b · North Carolina · Gardening since age 12

Have you ever wanted to grow your very own vegetables, but feel intimidated by the process. I can give you a rundown of 10 easy to grow vegetables for a first time gardener.

Remember, as a new gardener, maintaining a rather large vegetable garden requires an overwhelming level of commitment.

So my advice to you is to start small and add on a little by little, before expanding your garden.

10 Easy Vegetables To Grow For Garden Newbies

The vegetables explained below are easy to grow and are regarded as beginner friendly.

1. Beetroot

Boltardy is a popular species of beet roots. It is the best root variety if you want to sow early and plant cool-season crops.

The beets plant generally likes soil without much acidity. The soil needs to be soft and free of clay and sand.

It should be planted in an open sunny environment, but it can also tolerate in part shade.

Till the soil and plant your seedlings, it is that simple. Care for the seeds by watering daily until it begins to sprout leaves.

Thin out your seedlings in preparation for harvesting, and make sure to look out for birds and weeds. It does not produce premature flowering stems, which makes it good for a first time gardener.

2. Lettuce

Salad Leaves such as argula and oak-leaf lettuce are sown and harvested on a cut-and-come-again basis or a continual harvest.  Don't buy lettuce plants, you can easily start them from lettuce seeds

This means you don't have to care too much for the plant, and you can reap a lot from a single plant.

Salad leaves are capable of growing even in poor soil. It is advisable to improve the moisture content of the soil.

You can do this by adding well-rotted organic matter to the soil, to reduce the risk of the leaves turning bitter.  

Want to know more about how to grow salad leaves.  Check out this guide here.

grow vegetables beginner guide

3. Bush Tomato Plant

Bush Tomato is a variety of tomato plants that is easier to grow than indeterminate varieties.

This is because, unlike its counterpart, it doesn't require supporting and its side shoots don't need pricking out.  It typically is one of the shorter plants of tomatoes, yet can still be productive plants.

Bush tomatoes are the best choice for a beginner gardener. These tomatoes grow very well in a pot or hanging basket, either outdoors or in a greenhouse.

For a better understanding, check out my video below.

4. Zucchini Squash

As a first-time gardener, you must consider growing a productive plant like zucchini squash. To grow this veggie, you will require a decent amount of space as it is one of the larger plants to grow.

However, this plant does not require a great deal of patience before it can be harvested. The maturity rate of this veggie happens in mere hours, after a fruit sets on the plant.

5. Pea Plants

Peas can easily be grown, especially if you choose a compact variety that does not require staking. 

Peas are the cool season versions of beans that can be planted just before the last spring frost.  Don't be fooled though, they taste much sweeter & are much tender than green beans.

Peas can even be grown using a container.

Its young tip can be trimmed off and used in salads which are a tasty treat, they are also followed by flowers and pods.

To grow peas, you basically just need to plant the seeds in a well manured shallow trench and cover it up.

6. Radishes

Radishes are every gardener's variation of a wonder plant. They grow very fast and take about 21 days until harvest after they are planted.

It is best that you do not leave them in your garden for too long, in order for them to maintain their crisp and mild nature. Having a hint of radish in your salad dishes can make for the perfect breakfast.

So, I'll advise you to find new recipes on how to make use of this fast-growing wonder productive plant.  Grab yourself some radish seeds to plant in the cool weather seasons.

7. Miners' Lettuce

Miners' Lettuce is typically grown in colder environments because of how easy it is to grow.  It has a similar taste to spinach and is a healthy addition to your salad.

You basically plant the seedlings in such a way that encourages them to put on growth.

Maintain a spacing of 10cm in rows and 20cm apart from one another. Remember to water well.

You can cover the plant to protect it during the cold climates.

8. Basil

As are all herbs, basil is rather very easy to grow. It is also among the most popular herbs. Combined with how well it beautifies the garden, it also smells and tastes nice.

It has a rather high sensitivity to very low temperatures.  Know your area's frost dates & only plant it when the temperature is warm or above 50 degrees to prevent it from freezing and wildering.

Like most herbs, it can be planted using a container, although, it will require regular watering.

9. Potatoes

Potatoes a beginner-friendly vegetable. All you need to do is, plant them in a well-watered area and harvest them in about 8 weeks.

The germination period includes the appearance of leaves on the steam, these leaves should be covered using soil when they first appear.

This process is known as "Earthing up".

Potatoes planted in the early season are expected to be harvested before the hot, humid weather causes potato blight.

Check out the video below for an easy way to grow potatoes.

10. Chilli 'Cayenne' Pepper Plants

Chillies pepper plants grow better when they are planted in a container and placed on a window sill, or in an environment that is warm.  These peppers love the summer heat and require about 5-6 hours of sunlight per day.

Its growth requirements are very similar to that of the bush tomatoes because it doesn't require a stake as well. It also produces several harvests from a single crop up until winter comes in autumn.

Follow the link to know more about how to plant Chilli cayenne.

11 Tips To Help You Get Started

You might are rather new to gardening, there are some important elements needed to achieve a successful garden.

These insights will help you drastically level up & improve your gardening skills.  Follow these useful tips for beginners, and you will be satisfied with the results.

10. Add Some Mulch

Mulching soil involves using a porous material to cover the bare garden, in order to improve the condition of the soil underneath.

Doing this will reduce weed growth by blocking the sun, and it will also reduce the amount of moisture lost through evaporation.

Mulching can be done using straws, pine straws, shredded leaves, or any available material.

11. Always Feed Your Plants

Having good soil in your garden is not enough, you constantly need to boost the soil's nutritional value by feeding or fertilizing it.

This is important because the soil tends to lose its nutrients due to plant growth.

An extra piece of information is to have ready every basic tool you need to make your Gardening easy.

It is all about your preferences.

Final Thoughts

As a first time gardener, you need to start small and expand your skills at a steady rate. Rome was not built in a day, nor can you instantly transform into a highly skilled gardener in a day.

Gardening is really fun once you become well acquainted with it. As a beginner gardener, you should find growing an easy to plant vegetable very exciting.

It teaches you a lot, and the reward is an encouragement to reap more of its benefits.

beginner tips vegetable garden
Jeremy Starke — Green Thumb Gardener

Meet Jeremy Starke

I've been growing vegetables since I was 12 — over 30 years in the dirt. I share what actually works in my own Zone 6b garden, and what I wish someone had told me when I started.

Zone 6b · North Carolina · Gardening since age 12 Read My Story →

Frequently Asked Questions

What vegetables are easiest to grow for beginners?

Lettuce, radishes, beans, zucchini, tomatoes, and beetroot are forgiving and quick. Early success keeps new gardeners motivated.

What is the easiest vegetable to grow from seed?

Radishes. They sprout in days and are ready in about a month, which makes them ideal for first-time and young gardeners.

How do beginners start a vegetable garden?

Start small with a few easy crops in a sunny spot, use good soil, and water consistently. A handful of well-tended plants beats a big neglected plot.