15 Easiest Plants To Grow In A Vegetable Garden

If you’ve never had a vegetable garden before, starting one from scratch can feel overwhelming. There’s the planning, the digging, and all the other preparations before you even grow a single plant. If you’re nervous about killing the plants in your first vegetable garden, you should try only planting the easiest and most resilient crops. This will help to ensure a successful rookie harvest. 

Some of the simplest vegetables to grow in a garden include alliums like green onions and garlic. Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and potatoes are also easy. Lettuce, arugula, and kale are greens that grow quickly and easily. Zucchini and snap peas are known to be fairly easy to grow, and also give great yields. Green beans, peppers, and some tomato varieties are solid options for novice gardeners.

Growing a vegetable garden can be a major undertaking, but it doesn't have to be. If you want to try vegetable gardening, but don’t want to commit hours of your life each week to this project, keep reading. Below is a list of vegetables that are resilient and easy to grow. This way, you are far less likely to kill your plants, and don’t have to spend endless time nurturing them.

15 Vegetables That Are Easiest To Grow In A Home Garden

1. Green Onions

If you want to find a plant that practically grows without any help, then opt for green onions. Often called scallions, these alliums are popular in sauces, salads, and just about every type of cuisine.

Not only are they versatile in the kitchen, but they also grow like weeds. You can even use the white and root part of this plant that you get in the grocery store as a starter. Simply put these roots in water, and they will start shooting up green stalks. Transplant these stalks, and as long as you don’t let them dry out completely, the green onions will live for many months.

2. Snap Peas

Snap peas are one of the first plants that provide edible results in a garden, which makes them extra special. They shoot up quickly and require a trellis or fence so they can grow tall. But once they take off, they take care of themselves.

This is one of the easiest vegetables to grow from seed. They sprout up quickly and with lots of energy. As long as you provide them with ample light and keep the soil moist, they will quickly grow up the trellis and provide you with peas in no time.

3. Green Beans

Green beans are also easy to grow from seed and are a staple in most home gardens due to their high success rate. Unlike snap peas, green beans don’t need a trellis, and instead grow closer to the ground. 

They will take a bit longer to reach maturity than snap peas, but that works well, as once the snap peas stop producing, your green beans will begin giving you beans. When planting green beans, wait until the threat of frost no longer exists, and sow the seeds directly into nutrient-rich soil.

4. Cucumbers

Fresh cucumbers are one of the most refreshing flavors of summer. They taste great on just about any salad, and can even be used in beverages. Many cucumber varieties are also easy to grow, and are a fantastic vegetable to plant in your new vegetable garden.

Cucumbers have long vines, so give them plenty of space, or grow them on a trellis. There are many varieties of cucumbers, so opt for an easy-to-grow variety on your first try.

5. Potatoes

Potatoes and sweet potatoes are fun vegetables to grow, because you can take old potatoes you purchased and never cooked, and then watch them grow. Not only can you grow potatoes from existing potatoes, but this vegetable will reproduce year after year, as long as you keep the soil filled with nutrients.

6. Garlic

Garlic is another allium plant that is simple to grow, even if you’ve never had a garden before. It requires little space and minimal care other than the basic watering needs that all plants have. 

Garlic is also great for those who live in colder climates, as you can plant it before the start of winter. This is one plant that enjoys a dormant period. Since you usually plant garlic in the fall, it is often one of the first plants that is ready to harvest in your spring vegetable garden.

7. Lettuce

Lettuce is fun to grow because it allows you to have truly farm-to-table salads at home. Many types of lettuce are also quite simple to cultivate. They require minimal space, and do well in containers or even tucked in among other vegetables. 

Several lettuce species grow for many months as well, which is great for those looking for plants they can harvest multiple times in one growing season.

8. Carrots 

Carrots are a root vegetable that grows quickly and consistently. Most carrot varieties will be ready in less than three months after planting. They like loose soil with plenty of drainage, as they grow deep into the ground. As long as you provide them with these conditions, and some sunlight and regular watering, you should enjoy plenty of fresh carrots this summer.

9. Arugula

Arugula is one of the most flavorful and spicy greens out there. In addition to being loaded with unique flavor, it’s also very easy to grow. It is cold-hardy, which makes it great to grow in places with long winters. 

Arugula also grows incredibly fast. It can start producing baby greens in just thirty days after you plant the seeds. This makes it an ideal plant for impatient novice gardeners.

10. Zucchini

Zucchini is one of the most popular plants to grow in a home garden, and there are good reasons for that. Not only is zucchini relatively straightforward to grow, but it also tends to yield a ton of fresh zucchini. You’ll have so much of this green vegetable that you may find yourself running out of ways to cook with it. 

Luckily, even the flowers are edible, so you can try cooking those as well. Just make sure you give each zucchini plant plenty of space, as they don’t like being crowded.

11. Kale

Kale is a resilient plant, and one of the few leafy greens that can withstand an occasional overnight frost. This makes it a resilient and easy plant to grow if you live somewhere with unpredictable weather. Just ensure you have well-drained soil with plenty of nutrients, and this superfood should do just fine.

12. Peppers

Peppers, both spicy and sweet, can be easy to grow. Jalapeños, in particular, tend to be easy and popular among first-time gardeners. Each plant can produce tons of spicy peppers, which will leave you wondering how to use all the leftover jalapeños. This is a good problem to have. You can grow most peppers successfully in containers and directly in nutrient-rich soil.

13. Asparagus  

Asparagus is another plant that’s fantastic for gardeners who live somewhere with cold winters. You can plant asparagus before the first frost in late fall. Like garlic, it enjoys a dormant period. Then you can enjoy fresh asparagus in late spring, while your other plants are just getting started. 

14. Tomatoes 

There are many types of tomatoes, and some types are easier to grow than others. If you are looking for easy plants to grow, go for smaller and high-yielding tomato varieties, including cherry and grape tomatoes.

When selecting tomatoes for your garden, choose a variety that produces quickly and in abundance. Also, ensure the variety you select is known to thrive in your specific growing zone.

15. Broccoli 

Broccoli is another vegetable that can tolerate cold weather, and even a bit of frost. While it isn’t considered the easiest plant to grow, it is a great option for those who live somewhere with unpredictable weather and shorter growing seasons. Keep it somewhere with plenty of sun, water it regularly, and you should be enjoying fresh broccoli by mid-summer.

Summing Up The Easiest Plants To Grow In A Vegetable Garden

Starting a vegetable garden can be intimidating, but if you choose easy-to-grow plants, this endeavor can be a lot easier. Some of the easiest plants to grow in a vegetable garden include fast-growing leafy greens like lettuce, arugula, and kale. 

You can plant garlic and asparagus in the fall before the first frost, which will take some of the burden off you in the spring. Zucchini, cucumbers, green beans, snap peas, and smaller tomato varieties are all staples of home gardens because they are easy to grow and yield a lot of produce.

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