Growing your own vegetables is so satisfying!
Not only do you get to taste food that is 100 times better than anything you can purchase in a supermarket but you will be saving money and doing your bit for the environment.
I have compiled a list of the easiest vegetables to grow to get you started.
- French Beans – These great beans are incredibly easy to sow and do not require any support. Start off sowing indoors in April, once the roots begin to show out of the bottom of your pot plant outdoors, water and simply wait for the pods.
- Beetroot – Sow seeds from March to July in a long container or planter. Arrange seeds in pairs in rows that are nine inches apart. Depending on when you started you can expect to harvest your beetroots between June and October.
- Courgettes – Sow seeds in trays in your home or greenhouse May-June. Keep the plants in warm and light place. Can be sown directly outdoors once the chance of a seasonal frost is over. Harvest July-September – cut courgettes from plant when they have grown to 10cm long this will help to maintain your supply as you r plant will continue to produce new courgettes.
- Lettuce – Can be grown all year long indoors! If you want to grow lettuce outdoors it’s best to sow your seeds from March-July. However oriental types of lettuce grow best in the winter so you can sow this variety in September and receive fresh produce until the following March. Simply toss the seeds into a window box or planter which is in a sunny spot, sprinkle with compost and remember to water regularly. Cut the leaves when the reach 3 inches tall and your plant will go on to produce more fresh leaves.
- Onions – Onions grow throughout the winter and the best time to plant tiny immature onions is from September-November. Plant your onions in V-shaped lines in a raised planted or directly into your garden bed if your soil permits. Plat each onion 4 inches apart and cover with soil right up to their necks. Your onions will be ready to eat from June-July. Lift the plants out of the soil when the leaves have turned brown and store in your garden shed or garage whilst the onions dry out.
- Spring Onions – Similar planting methods are required for spring onions, however as the name suggests this type of onion can be planted in the spring from February-April. Your crop will be ready in August.
- Peas – Seeds can be sown from March-July, simply sow the pea seeds into shallow trenches 2 inches deep and 6 inches wide. It is wise to use pea netting to give your plant support whilst it grows. Depending on when you planted the seeds you will be able to harvest your crop from June-October. If you have planted mangetout harvest the peas when the pods are flat alternatively if you are growing sugarsnap peas wait until the pods are full and fat.
- Pumpkins – Sow seeds into a planter or raised bed in late May-June. Ensure that you position the planter in a sunny sheltered spot in your garden. Allow 2-3 feet between each pumpkin plant. If you prefer you can grow trailing varieties which will require trellis to grow on. Pumpkins can be harvested from September-October.
- Rocket salad – This type of salad grows at an incredible rate! Usually an expensive item in the supermarket, this food is so simple and cost effective to grow from home. Once you learn how to grow rocket you’ll never go back to buying it! You can sow rocket seeds from March-September and harvest from March-November. Simply sow seeds into a planter or raised bed and hand pick the leaves when they are 2-3 inches long. Remember to water regularly and soil extra seeds every month or so to continue your supply.
- Tomatoes – You can start to raise tomatoes in your greenhouse or behind a sunny window indoors from March-April. Tomatoes can be planted outside after seasonal frost has finished from May-June. Plant your tomatoes in a grow bag, three plants should be sufficient from an average sized family of four. As the plants grow support with stakes. When the plants begin to flower look for little shoots not carrying flowers and pinch them. This will ensure your tomatoes ripen. Your tomatoes will be ready for eating from August-October.
For more hints and tips on growing vegetables and other gardening information check out my other blogs at Jacks Garden Store. At my store you can also purchase gardening equipment and garden buildings such as garden sheds, summerhouses, greenhouses and many more. Visit Jacks Garden Store to find out more.
Good Luck!
Gardener Jack
