My Top Beginner Plants To Grow
Starting a garden can be intimidating at first, but if you go in with a certain mindset and start with beginner plants – it’ll help.
I’ve been gardening for a while now, started with an urban backyard garden and for the past couple years in a much larger space.
I’m no expert, but I have learned a thing or two.
- One of the most important things I’ve learned is your SOIL. Soil is key to having successful plants.
- Always keep your Climate & Growing Zone in mind with your garden.
- Gardening is experimenting! Every gardener may have different experiences with plants and even the years may look different.
- Take notes, you may think you’ll remember everything the next year but you may not. I take notes about everything; when I start seeds, which plants thrive and which don’t, I even make notes when the first wild plants start blooming(Indian plum and stinging nettle).
Annual = need to plant each year
Perennial = comes back each year
When it comes to what plants are difficult and which may not be, the plants below are typically easy beginner plants for all grow zones. So, if you’re just starting out in your gardening journey definitely start with the below plants.
check out some of my garden season must haves!
My Top Beginner Plants To Grow
HERBS
My first plant recommendation is – herbs! Herbs are one of the easiest plants to grow, and will save you a ton of money. Most are perennials or will self-seed. Head to your local plant nursery and pick up some herb starts. Get them planted in your yard, garden or containers. I’ll give tips for specific ones below.
A garden tower is perfect for growing herbs in a small space, I love the Greenstalk towers!
- Thyme & Oregano – perennial
- Chives – perennial, I suggest growing this one in a container/pot as it will spread
- Mint – perennial, I suggest putting this one in a container/pot as it will spread
- Sage – perennial
- Rosemary – perennial
- Basil – annual, this herb likes the sun and warmth
- Cilantro & Parsley – annuals, these are cooler season herbs, which means they’ll have a harder time growing in summer
sugar snap peas
This is my second beginner plant recommendation, sugar snap peas are one of the easiest plants to grow from a start or seed. They grow quickly and within a short time you’ll be picking many delicious edible pods. Children love growing these!
They are a cool season crop, perfect for the spring and fall.
One trick I’ve learned, these grow really well in containers. You can grow up to 5 plants in a 5 gallon container and throw a tomato cage on it for a trellis.
CUCUMBERS
Pickles anyone? Cucumbers are fairly easy to grow and rewarding, as one plant can give you anywhere from 10-20 cucumbers depending on which variety you pick. Like sugar snap peas, cucumbers are another plant that grows well in a container, with a tomato cage used as a trellis.
If you’re ever able to find a lemon cucumber plant at the nursery or want to try growing from seed, I strongly suggest you do. They are the best cucumbers for eating.
They like full sun and keep soil moist.
TOMATOES
I can’t imagine not having a tomato plant in my garden, they are very easy to grow and one plant can produce so much for you. They are another one that is perfect for container growing, just remember to put a tomato cage or some kind of trellis to support it.
If you’re not going to try starting them from seed, most nurseries sell beautiful starts. Just don’t forget to pinch suckers as they grow, and watch out for blossom end rot- if I see any, I just quickly remove and dispose of the tomato. Tomatoes like full sun and water.
KALE
Kale is a great beginner plant; it can be grown in containers, in the ground or in raised beds. It’s a hardy cool season crop, I’ve grown it year round in my zone, just keep it shaded during the heat of summer.
You can start it by seeds or purchase a nursery start. Keep it well watered, and pick the older leaves to eat and it will continue producing for you.
RADISH
Another great beginner plant, or for kids to grow is radishes. Although you start them from seed, it’s very easy. They’re a cool season crop, and are one of the fastest vegetables to grow. They can be harvested in a few weeks.
They also don’t need much soil, and can be grown in containers, the ground or raised beds.
STRAWBERRIES
Once you’ve eaten a homegrown strawberry, the store ones will be forever ruined for you. Freshly picked strawberries are the most juicy, delicious thing ever. Not to mention the color difference, hardly any white in the middle like you’d get for from the store.
The best part, strawberries are very easy to grow. They grow great in a raised bed, container or in ground. Strawberry plants will produce for 3-5 years, but if you continue to plant the runners, you can have strawberries for many many years.
LETTUCE
Last but not least, lettuce is a good beginner plant. It’s easy to grow and you’ll be harvesting it within a few weeks. It’s very easy to start from seed, but can also be bought as a start at your local nursery.
Lettuce likes cooler temps, and to stay moist. They grow well in containers, in ground or raised beds. Iceberg lettuce is easy to grow, but I prefer loose leaf ones that you can harvest leaves when you need them. My favorite the last couple years is Black Simpson Lettuce.
Those are my top beginner plants as you are learning to garden, and grow your own food. When you’re ready to try growing more; there are many more easy plants. Zucchini, beans, corn, sunflowers, peppers just to name a few.
Always remember to have fun, and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
