By Cynthia Averett, VINES Urban Farm Manager
01/28/22
New to gardening this year? Some plants can seem intimidating to grow, but there are many plants that are easy to grow, require little work, and are great for beginners!
The most important part in deciding what you want to grow is asking yourself, “What do I like to eat?” Growing crops that you enjoy will keep you excited about your garden, and will be so fulfilling when you get your first harvest!
Some of the best plants to grow if you are just getting started are ones that can be direct seeded, which means you don’t need to start them as transplants ahead of time. You just stick the seeds in the dirt, and watch them grow.
Some great veggie crops to start with are root crops like beets, radishes, turnips, and carrots. Peas and beans are also a great choice, as well as greens like lettuce, kale, and swiss chard. All of these crops require little maintenance, mostly just watering and weeding, and don’t take up much space in the garden.
Herbs are also great for beginners, especially hardy herbs like sage, thyme, and parsley.
Don’t forget about the flowers, too! There are many easy-to-grow flowers, like daises, zinnias, marigolds, alyssum, and sunflowers! The list can go on and on, but flowers are a great addition to any garden – they add color and attract bees to pollinate your veggies!
If you are new to gardening, don’t be intimidated! With the right care, any plant will thrive, but starting with easy-to-grow crops will give you the confidence to keep gardening, and expand to other plants when you’re ready. Also, keep an eye out for our Green Thumb Workshop Series, where we will have lessons for gardeners from all backgrounds!