The benefits of gardening are numerous. Staying active, being outdoors, and enjoying the fruits of your labor (literally)!
Here are six crops that are easy even for the beginner to grow.
All of these can be grown in an empty flower bed, garden patch of there own, or in pots along your deck or balcony.
Tomatoes
Perhaps one of the most widely of all garden crops is the tomato. You can choose from multiple varieties, such as the extra large beefsteak type (good for BLTs), all the way down to the cherry tomato varieties (great for salads). Tomato vines can be grown in pots or hanging baskets. The smaller varieties are better to hang; while the larger tomatoes should be staked to prevent the vines from falling and breaking under the weight of larger fruit.
Squash
Yellow squash is a summer staple. Easy to grow and just a single plant will provide plenty of goodies for your entire family. Most squash is picked while its small. Although you can let them grow to as large as you want prior to harvesting them. They will literally double in size overnight if not picked when ready.
Zucchini
Very similar to yellow summer squash. As much, the same rules apply. They grow fast and you don’t need an entire garden full to have more than you need for a family to eat.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are found in many different shapes and sizes. Small pickling cucumbers (used for pickles) to very large slicing cucumbers. Pick the type you like and have fresh cucumbers all summer. One difference with cucumbers is the vine. Many varieties will shoot vines everywhere and a single plant can take up a large area. You can train the vines similar to a tomato if you want to control their spread.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are vegetables such as lettuce, micro greens, etc. that are basically used in salads. These crops are easily grown in small places and most will regrow after harvest, so one planting can be harvested multiple times.
Herbs
Many herbs can be grown in small spaces and most will regrow to harvest continually. Herbs such as Basil, Cilantro, Mint, and Rosemary are among the many types of herbs. Its always nice to grab something fresh when making your latest dish straight from your own kitchen garden.
Strawberries
Strawberries are a seasonal crop that commonly only produces fruit once a year and for a short time. However, they can be grown in containers or hanging baskets. There’s nothing better than fresh local strawberries and what better way to enjoy them than from your own plants!
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