Growing your own vegetables is one of the most satisfying things you can do as a family — and you don’t need acres of land to get started. If you’ve never grown anything before and want some reliable, high-yield options to try, here are 10 easy to grow vegetables for first-time gardeners.
Many of these can be grown successfully in small beds, containers, or large pots, so a lack of space needn’t put you off. They’ve been chosen because they’re forgiving for beginners and give a good return even from a modest plot — ideal if you’re dipping a toe into growing your own for the first time.
Easy To Grow Vegetables For First Time Gardeners
#1. Spinach and/or Rainbow Chard
You’ll only need about 5 plants to fill a square metre, and you’ll get a weekly harvest of fresh, delicious spinach leaves for at least 6 months.
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#2. Kale
Kale is another crop that produces a lot of food from a small area. One square metre with 3-4 kale plants should be enough for a small family for at least 6 months.
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#3. Oriental Salad Mix
Again, one square metre should be plenty to get fresh, spicy salad leaves. Sow small quantities every 2-3 weeks. You can pick individual leaves as needed, or use the cut-and-come-again technique to keep the harvest going.
#4. Lettuce Surprise Mix
This is a mixture of lettuce varieties that can be harvested regularly over a two-month period. Simply harvest leaves as required and leave the plants in the ground to keep producing.
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#5. Radish
Radish seeds can be sown directly into the ground. Only sow small quantities every fortnight, and they’ll be ready to eat 5-6 weeks after sowing — a great one for impatient young gardeners.
#6. Courgette
Courgettes are one of the most productive plants you can grow, with each plant producing around 3 courgettes a week over roughly 14 weeks. That means you only need one or two plants in your garden.
#7. Scallions
Regular sowings of scallions will keep you in great crops for many months. Sow around 10 seeds in each module and plant the whole module out without splitting up the seedlings — this way you can harvest a full bunch of scallions at once.
#8. Cucumbers
You’ll need a greenhouse or polytunnel to grow cucumbers, but if you have one, this is one of the most productive crops of all, producing a fruit nearly every day over a few months.
#9. Tomatoes
To get a good yield, you’ll need to grow tomatoes in a tunnel or greenhouse. Once you’ve tasted home-grown tomatoes, it’s hard to go back to shop-bought ones.
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#10. Flowers
Why not grow a bee and butterfly mix to attract pollinators into the garden? Calendula, nasturtium and borage are also lovely additions, as all three produce edible flowers.
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Over to you now — have you tried growing any of these? Or has this inspired you to start? Tell us in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest vegetable for a complete beginner to grow?
Spinach, chard, kale and lettuce mixes are among the most forgiving choices. They need very little space, tolerate a few beginner mistakes, and reward you with a steady harvest of leaves over several months rather than a single all-or-nothing crop.
Can I grow these vegetables in containers or pots if I don’t have a garden?
Yes. Leafy crops like spinach, kale, lettuce and oriental salad mixes, along with radish and scallions, all do well in large pots or containers on a patio or balcony. Courgettes, cucumbers and tomatoes need more root room and, in the case of cucumbers and tomatoes, benefit from the shelter of a greenhouse or polytunnel for a good yield.
How long does it take to get a harvest from these vegetables?
It varies by crop. Radish is one of the fastest, ready in around 5-6 weeks. Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce give you an ongoing harvest for months once established. Courgettes and cucumbers take a bit longer to get going but then crop prolifically for weeks on end.
Do I need a greenhouse to grow vegetables successfully?
No, but it does help with certain crops. Spinach, kale, lettuce, oriental salad mixes, radish and scallions can all be grown outdoors without any protection. Cucumbers and tomatoes, however, give a much better yield when grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel.
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Get Growing With The Family
Fancy trying a few more garden projects with the kids? Browse our full collection of gardening and outdoor activity ideas for more inspiration on getting the whole family growing.
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