10 Fast Growing Crops
Top 10 fast-growing veggies include lettuce, radishes, spinach, kale, cucumbers, peas, arugula, Asian greens, microgreens, and nasturtiums, perfect for quick harvests and fresh meals. Consider perennial options for ongoing yields.
10 Fast-Growing Veggies for a Quick Harvest: Easy to Grow, Easy to Harvest!
Hey, Growers! 🌱 James Prigioni here, coming to you live from Jersey. Today, I’m excited to share my top 10 fast-growing veggies that are easy to grow and delicious to eat. If you’re eager to start harvesting your homegrown produce as soon as possible, these veggies are for you! Let’s dive in and get growing! 🚀
1. Lettuce: Quick and Fresh for Salads!
If you want fresh garden salads in a hurry, lettuce is a perfect choice. But, it’s not just about choosing any lettuce—pick the right varieties for a faster harvest!
- Top Picks: Bronze Mignonette takes just 46 days from seed to harvest, and Butter Crunch Bib is ready in 50 days!
- Why Lettuce? Fast-growing, easy to harvest, and perfect for a quick, fresh salad.
2. Radishes: Crisp and Quick!
Radishes are among the fastest-growing veggies, adding a delicious crunch to salads.
- Top Varieties: Pink Lady Slipper Radish (29 days from seed to harvest) and White Icicle Radish (25-30 days).
- Adventure Tip: Use radishes as space fillers in your garden beds. They grow quickly and can be harvested before planting your main crops like peppers!
3. Spinach: Pick While Young!
Spinach is another fantastic fast-growing veggie, and you can start picking the leaves even before they reach full maturity.
- Top Varieties: Olympia Spinach (38 days) is quick, but I prefer the Oceanside Spinach (45 days) for its bolt resistance, letting it grow longer into spring.
- Why Spinach? Young leaves are sweeter and less bitter, making them perfect for fresh salads.
4. Kale: Nutritious and Hardy!
Kale is a powerhouse veggie that grows relatively fast and provides nutrition-packed leaves.
- Top Varieties: Scarlet Kale (30-50 days) and Dazzling Blue Kale (60 days).
- Why Kale? It’s versatile, nutritious, and you can start harvesting the young leaves early.
5. Cucumbers: Fast Fruit for the Win!
When it comes to fast-growing fruit, cucumbers top the list. As soon as the weather warms up, cucumbers take off!
- Top Varieties: Calypso Pickling Cucumber (52 days) for quick growth, and the Slicing Variety (65 days) for better flavor.
- Why Cucumbers? They provide quick harvests and delicious, refreshing snacks.
6. Peas: Double the Harvest!
Peas are great not only for their pods but also for their young shoots.
- Top Varieties: Sugar Ann Pea (58 days).
- Adventure Tip: Plant peas in succession for continuous harvests. Enjoy the pea shoots while waiting for the pods!
7. Arugula: The Fastest of Them All!
Arugula is one of the fastest-growing veggies and adds a nutty flavor to any dish.
- Top Varieties: Astro Arugula (21-35 days) grows quickly in spring, while Ice-Bred Arugula (45 days) is great for cooler seasons.
- Why Arugula? Quick, easy, and adds incredible flavor to salads.
8. Asian Greens: Variety for Flavor!
Asian greens like Tatsoi, Pak Choi, and Bok Choy bring unique flavors and textures to your garden.
- Top Varieties: Tatsoi (45 days) is fast and cold-resistant.
- Why Asian Greens? They’re quick to grow, add variety, and have a delicious, crunchy texture.
9. Microgreens: Tiny but Mighty!
Microgreens are a fantastic choice for a quick, nutritious harvest.
- What Are They? A mix of young, edible plants harvested just after germination.
- Why Microgreens? They’re packed with nutrients, and you can harvest them in just 2-3 weeks!
10. Nasturtiums: Edible Flowers and Leaves!
Nasturtiums may be flowers, but they’re also edible and fast-growing.
- Why Nasturtiums? Takes 32-35 days to flower, and both leaves and flowers are edible, adding a peppery flavor to your dishes.
- Adventure Tip: They’re perfect for companion planting, green mulch, and attracting pollinators!
Bonus Tips: Think Perennial Mindset! 🌿
While quick-growing crops are fantastic for early harvests, don’t forget about the power of perennials.
- Perennial Veggies: White Russian Kale, Asparagus, and more can provide harvests year after year without replanting.
- Why Perennials? They’re the first to produce in spring, require less work, and keep giving back!
| Crop | Days to Harvest | Key Benefits |
| Lettuce | 46-50 days | Quick harvest, perfect for salads |
| Radishes | 25-30 days | Super fast, great space filler |
| Spinach | 38-45 days | Early harvest possible, sweet young leaves |
| Kale | 30-60 days | Nutritious, early leaf harvest |
| Cucumbers | 52-65 days | Fast-growing fruit, refreshing |
| Peas | 58 days | Edible shoots and pods |
| Arugula | 21-45 days | Fastest growing, nutty flavor |
| Asian Greens | 45 days | Cold-resistant, versatile |
| Microgreens | 14-21 days | Nutrient-dense, fastest harvest |
| Nasturtiums | 32-35 days | Edible flowers and leaves, companion plant |
Start Growing Your Quick Harvest Garden Today! 🌾
With these fast-growing veggies, you can quickly fill your garden and your kitchen with fresh, delicious produce. So, grab your seeds and get planting!
Until next time, keep growing, stay adventurous, and enjoy those fast harvests! Tuck and James will be back again real soon. We out! 🌻👩‍🌾Â
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