5 Best Veggies for Beginner Gardeners

Growing our own vegetables is one of the most rewarding things we can do for our health! But for beginning gardeners, starting a vegetable garden can seem somewhat intimidating. Whether it's a busy schedule that keeps you from being able to devote your full attention to your garden, or simply a seeming curse on every plant you try to grow, it can be hard to get started with growing your own vegetables at home - but don't fret because we've got some helpful tips for you this week!

Here's a list of the five best vegetables you can start with even if you're still a newbie gardener - and these are also great fun for kids to grow:

Carrot diversity (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Carrots – They're orange, they're tasty, horses around the world love them and so can you! Being a root vegetable, carrots are mostly safe from the elements so all you have to do is plant the seeds during some cool weather and in a few months (depending on variety) they're ready to pull up, wash off, and bite right into! If you're feeling adventurous, try a different kind than your standard orange carrot. Carrots come in a wide rainbow of colors, from white and yellow, to purple, and long and skinny to fat and round, so there are lots of interesting shapes and colors to choose from!


2. Peas – Peas go on this list like, well, I'll leave that joke where it is. Peas are easy to grow, especially if you have something they can grow on like a trellis or fence, although you can just use a wire support if your yard or garden bed isn't in an optimal place. Another cool weather veggie, these go great with carrots both together in your garden and on your plate in a fresh salad.


3. Pumpkins – Not just for carving for Halloween, although you can grow that variety if you'd like - but there are more tasty options out there. Pumpkins are fairly hardy provided you wait for frost season to be over, and they're great for watching grow from tiny flowers into big tasty treats. Perfect for planting when you can plan for them to be ready in the fall for October and November for pumpkin pie, you can cook and eat them tons of different ways or just enjoy a healthy, delicious batch of pumpkin seeds!





Black Pearl Peppers (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4. Herbs – Basil, cilantro, sage, and thyme - no it's not a Simon and Garfunkel song - it's a list of great additions to your garden! Herb gardens are easy to put together and can even be grown indoors in windowsill planters if you've got limited growing space outdoors. Just pick some of your favorite herbs and and plant them together in a planter, and you'll have fresh herbs ready to pick and put right into your favorite dishes whenever you want to add a dash of fresh flavor to a meal.


5. Peppers – Whether you like them hot or mild, you're sure to love them colorful and tasty! Peppers grow in close to the same conditions as tomatoes, making them a great choice for new gardeners to sink their teeth into (depending on how hot they are of course!). Peppers can be sweet and tasty when eaten raw, and can also be made into myriad dishes from pasta sauces and chili, to curry or stuffed peppers.

Even if you feel like your green thumb is more like the touch of death all you might really need is a little practice with some veggies that are a little easier to grow. Start off with some of these popular and easy-to-grow gems, and you're sure to find your garden bursting with fresh vegetables of all kinds in no time!