Growing your own food doesn’t have to mean having a huge garden or spending hours outside every day. Whether you have a windowsill, a few containers, or several acres, there are plenty of edible plants that can give you a harvest without a long wait.
There’s something satisfying about picking salad greens for lunch or snipping fresh herbs for dinner straight from your garden. If you’re looking for plants that grow quickly and can handle a range of growing conditions, these are worth trying.
Radishes
Radishes are a great pick for gardeners who don’t like waiting weeks for a harvest. Many varieties are ready in three weeks or less, and their crisp, peppery roots are great in salads, sandwiches, and snacks.
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Spinach
Spinach can get started within days and may be ready to pick in about four to six weeks. It prefers cooler weather and some shade, but can handle warmer conditions with the right care.
Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the easiest crops for a quick harvest, with some varieties ready to pick in less than 30 days. It also grows nicely in containers, raised beds, and window boxes, making it a good choice for small spaces.
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Kale
Kale grows fairly quickly and can handle both cool and warm growing conditions. After about four to six weeks, you can start picking the outer leaves while leaving the plant to keep producing.
Arugula
Arugula gives you a peppery harvest in a short time, with young leaves often ready to pick in about three weeks. It prefers cooler weather, while some afternoon shade can help it handle warmer temperatures.
Green Onions
Green onions are easy to grow and can give you crisp, flavorful stalks in roughly three to four weeks. Plant them in soil or grow them indoors in water for a handy supply of fresh greens.
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Bok Choy
Bok choy can be ready to harvest in about 30 to 45 days, giving you plenty of time to enjoy its crisp stalks and tender leaves. It grows best in cooler weather but can handle a range of growing conditions with proper care.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard brings colorful stems and tender leaves to the garden, and you can start picking individual leaves after just a few weeks. The plant keeps producing new growth after each harvest, so one planting can provide greens for quite a while.
Cilantro
Cilantro can produce usable leaves in about four weeks and adds a fresh flavor to tacos, salsa, salads, and many other dishes. It prefers cooler temperatures, though some shade can help it continue growing in warmer weather.
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Beets
Beets give you two edible crops from one plant because both the roots and leafy tops can be eaten. The greens can be picked within a few weeks, while the roots usually need around 45 to 60 days to mature.
Basil
Basil grows quickly in warm weather and can provide fragrant leaves within about three to four weeks. Keep it in a sunny spot and pinch the growing tips regularly to encourage more leaves for pasta, pizza, salads, and pesto.
Turnips
Turnips are another two-for-one crop, producing edible roots along with tasty greens. The greens can be picked in about 30 days, while the roots may be ready roughly a month later.
Peas
Peas can produce tender pods in about 50 to 60 days and are especially well suited to cool weather. Plant them in spring or fall, and enjoy the sweet pods fresh from the garden or cooked into meals.
Zucchini
Zucchini grows quickly once the soil warms up and can start producing small fruits within a few weeks. Give it plenty of room and regular water, and you may soon have enough zucchini for grilling, baking, sautéing, and sharing.
Mustard Greens
Mustard greens grow quickly and bring a spicy bite to salads, sautés, and stir-fries. Young leaves can often be picked within three to four weeks, giving you a quick crop with plenty of flavor.
