Easiest Plants to Start Your Garden

I am so excited to share our new guest blogger today, her name is Bridget Sandorford. She is a freelance food and culinary writer, where recently she’s been researching international culinary schools. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, painting and working on her first cookbook.

Easiest Plants to Start Your Garden

Gardening is a great way to get a steady supply of fresh, healthy and unadulterated foods for your kitchen. However, many people are intimidated by gardening and all there is to learn when you are just getting started. What seeds do you plant? When do you plant them? What seeds have to be started indoors? What does it even mean to "start" a seed indoors?

There are a number of plants that beginners can grow that don't require a lot of fuss. If you feel like you can't grow a garden, you should consider these easy plant to start your own garden:

Carrots

Plant seeds directly in the ground about three weeks before the last frost. Plant them in loose soil, add a little compost or fertilizer, and water. There are many varieties that you can grow in all types of shades (even purple and red). You can even grow your own mini-carrots in order to replace those store-bought ones that are whittled from larger carrots.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a great addition to summer salads, and they are a cool snack throughout the season. Simply plant the seeds in shallow soil once the last frost has passed and watch them grow. You can plant them near a wall, fence or trellis to give them room to grow up. Otherwise, the vines will curl around your garden.

Radishes

Radishes are fast growers and are among the easiest crops for beginners to grow. The seeds will grow in cold  soils and require very little tending. Just put them in the ground and keep them watered. You'll have a hardy harvest in just over a month.

Greens

All types of salad greens are easy growers for beginners. They require little tending, and they grow up quickly. Choose a wide variety of greens to create hearty and delicious salads, including green and red lettuce, mescaline, arugula, and spinach.

Basil

Homemade pesto can't be beat in the summertime, and basil is a delicious addition to a wide variety of savory dishes and salads. A fresh caprese salad is a summer treat. You can easily grow bushels of basil as a beginner. Check out different varieties for some different flavors and scents.

Growing a garden doesn't have to be hard or intimidating. You just have to start small and find your way. You can start with these easy-to-grow crops, and as you find your confidence and build on your skills, you can explore other, harder selections to fill your table.

What were some of the first crops you decided to grow in your garden? Tell us about it in the comments!