Simple Planting Choices: 8 Straightforward Crops to Grow
Starting a garden from seeds can be an exciting and rewarding experience for beginners. Here's a guide to help you grow some of the easiest crops, including green beans, beets, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, pumpkins, zucchinis, and radishes.
Green Beans
Also known as string beans, green beans are very easy to direct sow without needing transplanting. They require minimal fertilizer, grow quickly (around 50–60 days to harvest), but are frost-sensitive, so plant after the last frost date. Provide a trellis or support for pole varieties.
Beets
Beets are root crops that are best direct seeded into light trenches. Avoid transplanting beets. They tolerate cooler weather well and need minimal care. Thin seedlings after germination for better root development.
Cucumbers
Easy to direct sow once soil warms, but starting indoors can give an earlier harvest. Cucumbers enjoy full sun and well-drained soil. They can be grown with tomatoes, but keep spacing proper to avoid disease.
Lettuce
Lettuce is a recommended beginner seed because it germinates quickly and prefers cool weather. Sow seeds directly or start indoors in flats. Lettuce grows fast and can be continuously harvested by picking outer leaves.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are easy seeds for beginners. Usually started indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost then transplanted, they need full sun, well-drained fertile soil, and support stakes or cages. Tomatoes and cucumbers can be planted close with care.
Pumpkin
Pumpkins are classified as easy to save seed and easy to grow from seed. Sow directly after the danger of frost, giving ample space for vining growth. Pumpkins require full sun and well-amended soil.
Zucchini
A type of summer squash, zucchinis are easy to direct sow. They grow fast and produce abundantly. Plant seeds in mounds with rich soil and provide ample water. They are warm-season crops and sensitive to frost.
Radish
Radishes are very fast growing, often sprouting within a week. Direct sow radish seeds in loose soil for best germination. Radishes are cold tolerant and can be planted early in the season or in fall. Thin seedlings if needed for root size.
General Tips for Beginners
- Most root crops (beets, radish) should only be direct sown—not transplanted, while warm-season crops (tomatoes, pumpkin, beans, zucchini) are sometimes started indoors.
- Prepare well-drained, loose soil with organic matter.
- Plant after the last expected frost date for warm-season crops.
- Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.
- Provide consistent moisture and full sun.
- Use light fertilizer as needed; beans fix nitrogen and need less fertilizer.
- Watch for pests and use organic methods if possible.
This approach balances simplicity with the specific needs of each of these easy-to-grow crops, helping beginners succeed in raising a productive garden from seed. Happy gardening!
