Whether you’re behind on planting your garden for the upcoming warm spring season, or just want to start putting together a delicious veggie garden, knowing the fastest-growing vegetables to plant can get you to your harvest in record time.
Planting fast-growing plants around spring means you’ll enjoy fresh produce as soon as the weather starts scorching up.
5 fastest-growing vegetables to choose from
Radishes
Truly one of the fastest-growing vegetables to add to your garden, with an estimated turnaround of a 21-day seed-to-harvest timeline. Radishes are a definite must-try. They are perfect for kids’ gardening because of how quickly they grow. For them to produce healthy produce, don’t start them indoors; just sprinkle the seeds outdoors where you want them and watch them thrive.
Spinach
This is a very nutritious vegetable that grows quickly in cool weather, going from seed to harvest in just under 3 months. Just plant them in full sun or partial shade for the most efficient growing season. The advantage of spinach is that it can be harvested multiple times in the cut-and-come-again method. Cut the individual older leaves and let the younger inner leaves continue to grow for a later harvest.
Lettuce
Lettuce veggies can be ready to harvest in as little as 30 days from when you plant the seeds. This versatile veggie is a favourite of both seasonal gardeners and those who grow in a hydroponic garden. They are known for being easy to grow, cool-season vegetables, which can be planted in early spring and harvested by late spring or early summer. These simple veggies can be easily grown indoors.
Zucchini
A summer favourite plant. Zucchini grows to harvest-ready size in just 45 to 50 days. Beginner gardeners may be even surprised at how fast these plants will grow. You could even end up with more zucchini than you can need in one season. While most zucchini varieties spread rapidly in a garden, some varieties are better suited for smaller spaces.
Beets
If you are keen on a spring salad that includes vibrant colours, then growing beets in your garden is the way to go. Beetroots are ready to harvest in under 4 months. You can sow the seeds around the beginning of spring, or as your garden soil begins to warm up. You’ll know beets are ready to harvest when their roots reach roughly golf ball size. They’re easy to grow and rarely impacted by pests or disease, so they’re a great choice to add to your fast-growing veggie garden.
Written by CHUMASANDE MATIWANE
First published on Garden & Home
Also see: Kirstenbosch: Cape Town’s Garden Jewel That the World Can’t Stop Talking About
