Planting a garden is something everyone should consider for a number of reasons. You will be able to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables without a trip to the grocery store and without chemicals. You can also save some of your produce for the future, in jars or through canning, which is particularly useful in the case of a pandemic or natural disaster. Learn more below about how you can start your own garden and how to choose the fastest-growing vegetables.

Fastest-Growing Vegetables

Identifying fast-growing vegetables can be helpful if you are anxious to see a crop quickly. If you are stuck at home and want to see the fruits of your labors in less time, try planting some of these vegetables.

Spinach
In quality growing areas, spinach is easy to grow and produces edible plants in only 4 to 6 weeks. Enjoy it in salads or add it to a variety of recipes for extra nutrients.

Baby Carrots
Full-size carrots are also fairly easy to grow, but baby carrots are ready more quickly because they don’t need to get as large. Their small size means they can also be grown in container gardens if you have limited space. Enjoy a crunchy treat in as little as 30 days after planting.

Cucumbers
Cucumbers need plenty of space to grow as their vines stretch, but they do not require a lot of work or waiting. Baby cucumbers, which are great for making pickles, can be picked in less than two months. Cucumbers are a great option if you want to enjoy some now and pickle the rest to save for later.

Bush Beans
Bush beans are one of the best vegetables for canning, so if you like green beans, this is a great variety. Plant the seeds directly in quality dirt and enjoy them in approximately 40 to 65 days. Don’t confuse these with a popular brand of baked beans—they’re completely different!

Radishes
Radishes are one of the fastest-growing vegetables, as well as one of the easiest plants to grow. If you are new to gardening, this is a great place to start. You can enjoy radishes in roughly 22 to 50 days.

Arugula
Arugula is a great addition to leafy green salads and adds a little bit of peppery flavor. It is easy to grow and you can cut the leaves off for eating as soon as one month after planting.

Lettuce
Lettuce is another easy and fast-growing vegetable you should include in your garden. It is strong enough to grow in colder temperatures and will be ready to eat in about a month or two.

Zucchini & Summer Squash
Zucchini and summer squash can get large quite rapidly after they begin to form. They are best enjoyed if picked when they are a good size, but still young, which means you can enjoy them as soon as 35 days after planting. You can also let them grow a little longer if you choose.

Snow Peas
To get enough snow peas for eating now and saving for later, you will need to plant quite a lot of them. However, they are ready in about 2 months and can be enjoyed on their own or in salads. Snow peas are a great addition to any vegetable garden.

Green Onions
Green onions are a delicious addition to many recipes and their stalks can be picked after only 3 or 4 weeks. They are planted from bulbs and if you want larger and more flavorful onions, simply let them continue to grow for about 6 months.

Broccoli
Broccoli is another fast-growing vegetable that is strong enough to thrive in colder temperatures. Fully grown broccoli takes around 60 days, but if you like it smaller, it’s okay to pick it sooner.

Eco-Friendly Gardening

When starting a garden, keep in mind that you can also grow your food without chemicals, use scraps for composting, and use natural means for keeping bugs away from your plants. Get more tips for going green(er) when gardening and how to master zero-waste gardening. Did you know there are better ways to dispose of garden waste? You can also avoid plastic packaging when you grow on your own.

Contact Kiwi Energy for more tips on going green at home with your family, then get started on your own home garden today!