Maybe you stumbled upon this article because you love planting fruitsFruits are seed-bearing pods or capsules of flowering plants. Fruits are full of nutrients that can enrich germinated seeds. Examples of fruits are tomato, banana, watermelon, and cucumber fruits. and vegetables but struggle to keep them alive. Or perhaps you don’t know where to start when thinking about growing your own food at home. The good news is there are plenty of surprisingly low-maintenance, easy-to-grow plants and foods just waiting to be added to your garden! Whether you’d like a small tomato plant for easy snacking or an army of fruits and vegetables to show off your newfound gardening prowess, read on to find out which foods are the easiest to grow at home.
Cherry Tomatoes
Homegrown cherry tomatoes are as easy to grow as they are delicious! This sun-loving plant can thrive in your garden, regardless of whether you have a small apartment balcony or a large outdoor space. The beauty of your cherry tomato plant is that it will grow nicely in a varietyPlant varieties make up a species. Varieties are plants in a species that have unique characteristics from other plants in that species. For example, watermelons have varieties that are seedless. of different planting styles – from hanging planters and pots to a vegetable bed. Make sure you have adequate drainage to prevent mold and disease, as your new tomato plant will love to be doused in water several times per week. If you haven’t caught on by now, we feature a lot of tomatoes because they really are one of the best and easiest foods to grow for any skill-level gardener. You can follow these tips about proper planting, pruning techniques, and more to up your tomato-growing game and start planting like a pro!
Cucumbers
What’s not to love about cucumbers? Refreshing and satisfyingly crunchy, they’re excellent in salads or cut into slices and slathered in your favorite dip. Much like cherry tomatoes, these plants love to bask in the sunlight and enjoy a long, cool drink of water. The most fun and exciting part about cucumbers? They can grow several inches in a single day, proving that even those of us with a not-so-green thumb can unlock the secrets to successfully growing cucumbers. This plant is a must for people looking to add to their garden repertoire. It’s also great for someone looking to impress their friends at dinner parties with their tasty homegrown salad!
Green or Yellow Squash
Green or Yellow squash, your cucumber’s brighter and sweeter cousin, is yet another wonderfully tasty and easy-to-grow food that you can feel good about harvesting yourself. Your squash plant will do best with consistently moist soil. But buyer beware – its delicate leaves do not love water as much as the fruitFruits are seed-bearing pods formed by the ripening of a plant pericarp after flowering. Plants produce seeds after pollination. The seeds of plants are stored in sweet and nutritious pods called fruits. itself does! Be gentle with your squash plant. Ensure that it has proper drainage, and follow these simple steps on growing and harvesting your squash. Your plant will be sure to return the favor with delicious fruit for you to sauté and add to any meal!
Carrots
Though they may be more maintenance than your other plants, carrots are amongst the easiest root vegetables to grow! Make sure to give your carrots plenty of space to grow by thinningThinning in agriculture is the practice of removing some seedlings from the row. When gardeners sow seeds, they sow more than what they need so that they will have enough seedlings. If the seedlings that germinated become more than what they need, they will remove some so that others will have space and nutrients to grow. out seedlings as they start to poke through the surface of the soil. On the topic of space, you will want to plant your carrots in loose, sandy soil to ensure your carrots can push through the earth and grow big and strong! Clumpy soil will result in stubbier carrots with hair-like roots, as they will not have enough room to grow downward and will not have as much water drainage as they would in looser soil. You can follow this link for more tips and tricks to grow healthy, delicious carrots yourself!
Lettuce
Lettuce might be one of the easiest plants on this list to grow yourself – you don’t even need seeds to get started!
Simply cut the leaves off of a headCapitulum; A protruded organ or structure with vital functions. of lettuce purchased from your local farmers market or grocery store. Place the lettuce head in a cup of water with only about a half-inch of the baseA base is the lowest part of an organism or organ. The base can appear as though it is above, but it is the lowest part of an organ (i.e. upper organ). A base can also represent the root crown of trees. submerged, and voila! Watch your lettuce grow roots and leaves right before your eyes. The tender leaves taste best when harvested young, so you’ll have new salad greens in no time at all! Once your lettuce has grown substantial enough roots, you can follow part two of this helpful tutorial to learn how to plant your new head of lettuce into the soil. Then follow these steps to learn how to care for your lettuce plant to give it a long, happy life.
Mint
No recipe is complete without some fresh herbs. Luckily for you, mint is one of the hardiest herbs to grow! Hardiest, not hardest. Mint is a super easy food to grow at home. And mint isn’t picky. While your mint plant will prefer partial shade, it can grow well in full sunFull sun refers to six (or more) hours of sunlight. Some plants require full sun to grow and produce fruits. Examples of plants that require full sun are tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, etc. with ample watering. It can even grow in full shade with minimal water! Make sure to keep your soil moist to keep your mint plant happy and yielding leaves.
On the topic of happy plants – mint is a perennialAny plant that completes its life cycle in more than two years is a perennial plant. Perennial plants have continuous flowering and fruiting seasons. Most shrubs and trees are perennial. Mint and other herbs are also perennial. and grows like a weed. It doesn’t play nicely with other plants, so make sure to confine your mint plant to a container. This prevents it from trampling all over the rest of your garden. Much like lettuce, mint will root in a jar of water. When you see lots of roots, plant it in soil. Repot your propagated mint plants in cute, colorful pots as a sweet DIY gift for your friends! Or, toss a few leaves in your favorite copper cup with some fresh lime juice, vodka, and ginger beer, and you’ve got yourself a summer-ready cocktail.
Conclusion
Growing your own food can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be complicated! Just a few minutes of care per day will go a long way with your new plant babies. Provide adequate sunlight, proper drainage, and ample amounts of water, you too can have the Pinterest-worthy garden of your dreams.
What type of food are you most excited to grow in your new garden? Let us know in the comments below, and happy planting!
