What are 8 easy vegetables to grow in your backyard?
1. Tomato is a common salad ingredient that only requires little attention in growing and is still easily cultivated.
2. A vegetarian’s favorite, carrots, easily grows from seeds and with an even soil moisture.
3. There are two types of cucumbers: a bush and a vine. Either way, it’s easier to grow cucumbers as it prefers sunlight and a warm temperature.
4. Radishes are better planted during the cool season as they can sprout pretty quickly, estimated between four to five weeks.
5. Green beans are abundant and easily grown from seeds as they also prefer the sunlight and the warm soil, moreover they can also be planted as bush or vine, similar to cucumbers.
6. Peas are early producers, and grows from good soil moisture which means it will only require little amount of effort to grow them.
7. Zucchini makes a good combination with other salad veggies and is convenient to plant as it will only require the sun, and a sufficient and even soil moisture to grow.
8. Salad greens such as lettuce, kale and spinach completes the traditional salad recipe, and the great thing about them is that they can be planted anywhere with similar practices such as watering them regularly and maintaining the soil moisture.
Whether you are dining at weddings or corporate outings, hosting a fun dinner party with your friends, or just making a quick snack for yourself, it’s always a good idea to eat healthy – and that means going green. Some are okay with grocery veggies, but there are those who prefer to eat organic due to its healthier and more “natural” origins. However, organics are notorious for being more expensive than their counterparts. So, a logical countermeasure to this would be to grow your own instead.
The biggest advantage to growing your own food is that you know exactly where it came from and how it was grown. Should you ever decide you want a salad for lunch, all you have to do is go out to your backyard, pick out what you need, and toss them into a bowl ready for consumption (after a thorough wash, of course)! It saves you time, money, and, effort – after all, you’d have a harder time going to the supermarket and buying these as opposed to simply plucking them out of the ground.
If you want to dip your foot to test the waters rather than jumping in, then consider starting with these low-maintenance veggies to begin your journey into the world of gardening!
A basic ingredient present in almost all vegetable-based dishes, the tomato is a bright, fragrant fruit that is very easily cultivated. It’s a popular choice for starter gardens seeing as they require so little attention that they’re even able to put up with a little neglect; some farmers even say that underwatered tomatoes taste better than the properly watered ones.
To begin growing them, simply place some seeds into a small pot (with holes in the bottom so the water can flow out) and keep the soil damp, but not drenched. Germination should begin somewhere in the 10-day mark and tomatoes will begin to sprout anywhere between 60 to 100 days.
A popular choice for vegetarians due to their rather sweet flavor and crunchy texture, carrots are often eaten as snacks just the way they are. Growing them is simple – plant the seeds at least one inch apart from one another in a container that’s at least a foot and a half deep wide.
Check that your container also has drainage holes and that the soil is well tilled; carrots thrive on moist – not soaked – soil and having rocks or other debris in the soil will impede their growth. With them being root vegetables and all, they’ll grow downwards, so ensure there’s an ample amount of space. You’ll know they’re ready when it’s been 2 and a half months or when their diameter reaches a half inch, whichever comes first.
Cucumbers are among the many veggies that’s easiest to grow as they can be grown as a bush or vine. What they just need is a full sun, a warmed up soil, regular watering, and of course, a container (bush cucumber) or support for their climbing (vine cucumber) to grow them. Another good thing in growing cucumbers is that it’s possible to grow them in small spaces such as condos and studio apartments, and that it yields a plenty of cucumber even with only a few plants grown. You can even share some for your neighbors with its impressive number.
What better way to spice up your salad recipe is to slice a few radishes – making it a bit fierce and of course, for a different taste. Plant it during the cool season, and you’ll be surprised at how quick they can sprout, basically between four to five weeks, and they’re good for harvest. While this particular veggie prefers the cool season, it also needs the sun in partial shade to grow into spicy, crispy radishes which is its best form.
Known to be abundant and easily grown from seeds, gardeners and vegetarians are fond of green beans. They also make a good combination for a salad recipe, especially when served as chilled, marinated, and lightly steamed. Basically, it’s best to plant them when the danger of frost has passed as green beans, similar to cucumbers, prefers the sun and a warmed up soil. Moreover, it can be grown into two types, as bush or vine, where you’ll need a container or trellis to support them – either way, it will be entertaining to harvest them.
Peas make a good salad recipe along with any other salad veggies out there – and it definitely creates a perfect combination. Plus, it’s an early producer, hence it’s convenient to grow some of it in your backyard. Planting peas will only require you to work on the soil, as soil moisture is essential for growing them. Also, make sure to harvest them even before the peas inside develop for a better yield.
Whether you’re into summer squash salad or not, it’s best to include zucchini in your salad garden list. Similar to cucumbers and green beans, it prefers the sun and grows in abundance. Though at some point, it also needs sufficient and even soil moisture to germinate hence it’s best to plant seeds later in the warm season. From there, you can expect them to grow easily and ultimately, blossom like the squash.
Plants such as lettuce, kale, or spinach fall under this category. A traditional salad wouldn’t be complete without them, so it’s advisable to grow these in tandem with the aforementioned vegetables. These greens will grow pretty much anywhere, even in small spaces or even slightly shaded spots. But that doesn’t mean ignoring them is a good idea – they still require a little bit of care. Begin by planting multiple seeds in each hole and then lightly covering it with soil. Then leave it; water the soil regularly and keep it moist to the touch.
So, if you ever wanted to ‘grow’ your own salad, follow these simple instructions and have that organic salad you’ve always wanted! As for events, well there are caterers who are open to the request of healthy food. Good luck!
Get our exclusive menu right in your Inbox!
24B 11th Jamboree St. Tomas Morato, Quezon City
National Highway Soro-soro Karsada, Batangas City