Each spring Ohio vegetable gardeners begin planting seeds, putting in transplants, and beginning their beds that will reap great rewards come summer and fall. For the beginner, the entire process can be a little overwhelming. If you’ve been thinking of starting a vegetable patch, begin with these easy growers.
Leaf Lettuce and Greens
All varieties of leaf lettuce and leafy greens like spinach and kale are mostly foolproof. They’re also easy to grow from seed, so it doesn’t cost much to get started. In the Cleveland area, May is the right time to plant these veggies outside.
Sow seeds directly into the soil to a depth of about a quarter inch. Check the seed packet for spacing distances between seeds, which varies depending on the variety. Water regularly and keep the soil moist. You can harvest the baby leaves or wait until they fully mature. Don’t let the plants bolt, of flower. They won’t be good to eat after that. Hot summer weather can make them bolt, so if hot days are coming, harvest early.
Squash and Zucchini
Gardeners are forever giving away summer squash and zucchini because these veggies are easy to grow and produce prolifically. Plant seeds to a depth of one inch. They won’t be as tolerant of a late cold snap as greens, so aim for late May or early June for planting outside.
These veggies are easy to start from seed, indoors or out, but you can also find transplants at your local garden center. Put them outside in June. If you start from seeds, thin seedlings to just a few plants. They’ll produce plenty.
To harvest summer squash and zucchini, cut the ripe fruits from the vine. They ripen quickly and are not as tasty when they get too large. As the fruits begin to grow, check on them every day and start harvesting when they are about four to six inches long.
Tomatoes
For limited space, try growing a couple of tomato varieties. They do well in containers, even upside down hanging containers. Transplants are easiest, so grab a few from your local garden center and plant them outdoors in late May or early June.
Tomatoes come in seemingly infinite varieties, but cherry and grape are easiest to grow and harvest. It’s easy to tell when tomatoes are ripe—they will turn from green to red. They should be ready in late summer.
Plant tomatoes in containers that drain well with rich soil. Keep them watered and make sure they get plenty of sun throughout the growing season. Add a tomato cage to each container to help the plants stay upright and to keep fruits off the ground.
Vegetable gardening is a skill, but don’t let it intimidate you. Anyone can grow veggies. For the best odds of success in your first attempt, start small. Try these and other easy types to grow, and you’ll be ready to move on to more challenging vegetables next year.
