It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner: everyone is capable of learning to grow their own vegetables! The process can seem intimidating and I totally get it, but it’s a rewarding experience regardless of the outcome. Are you ready to try your hand at vegetable gardening for beginners? If so, these are the vegetables to start from seed.
They’re easy to manage, and you’ll love watching their progress throughout the growing season.
Vegetables To Start From Seed: Tips
Beets
While they may not be a favorite to eat amongst the kids of the house..beets are terrific for fiber and vitamin C! They’re also a terrific plant for gardening for beginners. When planting, make sure your soil is free of any clumps or rocks; the beets will grow much more rapidly this way. My gardening friends taught me to always mix my beet seeds (you can do this by hand) because a combination of red, yellow and white beets provide variety. They all taste so different!
Lettuce
When growing lettuce, plant each seed about 8 to 10 inches apart from one another. Otherwise, crowding will result! Lettuce grows pretty well in shade so they’re the perfect vegetable for that oddly shady corner of your garden! Water well immediately after sowing. Lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow if you’re trying to learn about gardening for beginners.
**If aphids are a concern for you, I recommend planting chives or garlic in between your lettuce rows. It’s a proven way to get rid of those nasty pests!
Carrots
Carrots, like beets, grow extremely well in an area of the soil that is properly worked and free of any rocks. To really achieve the look of a “perfect carrot” you’ll want to work your soil as far as 4 inches down. Also, give your carrots some room to grow; they hate overcrowding and their appearance will definitely show it. Grow your carrots in an area of full sunlight and watch for signs of growth at about 3 weeks after seeds have been sown.
Pumpkins
Anyone can grow pumpkins! They’ll grow pretty much anywhere and it’s always a blast to check out their progress when the plant starts to fruit! That makes pumpkins a perfect vegetable for gardening for beginners. However, gardeners should be warned that pumpkin vines LOVE to spread! Seeds should be spaced a minimum of 6-12 inches apart for a healthy growing environment. Pumpkin plants should be fertilized on a weekly basis and watered even more frequently when the plant begins producing fruit.
Keep foliage as dry as possible to prevent the spread of pests.
Beans
Beans are another one of those easy vegetables that’s fun to watch grow! However, I do recommend that beginners pick their variety wisely. Pole bean plants can get up to 12 feet tall and they require tons of extra support (it can be a bit daunting) while Bush beans grow to an impressive 2 feet without added support. Bush beans are definitely easier to grow, just make sure that you space seeds at least 2 inches apart and keep the soil free from weeds.
Harvest bean seeds every few weeks for a steady supply all summer long!
Keep on reading for more Vegetables To Start From Seed
Kale
Kale, a ridiculously easy vegetable to grow (especially for gardening for beginners), is a perfect candidate for cold weather gardening! This veggie actually gets sweeter the colder it gets. Plant Kale late this summer for a continuous harvest that lasts through late fall. Harvest when the plant is about the size of your hand. Pick in clumps and sow seeds again in early fall for Kale plants all winter long.
If you decide to harvest Kale throughout the winter, you’ll want to know all of the tips and tricks to successful cold framing. Use my how-to guide!
Cucumber
Just as long as they have tons of son and consistent water, Cucumbers are a great vegetable to start from seed! Make sure to keep soil fertile, adding compost in prior to planting and then regularly throughout the growing season. Plants should be spaced about 36 inches apart and it is usually a good idea to use a trellis of some sort to keep the plants supported! Sow your seeds two weeks after the last spring frost.
There you have it. Start gardening now with these vegetables to start from seed. Happy gardening!
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