Originally posted 2017-04-30 18:51:28.

Spring is practically here! Although here in colorful Colorado, a hefty spring storm has dumped several inches of snow on the budding trees and green grass, so today everything is in winter wonderland mode.  But, with our spring storms this snow will quickly melt and rejuvenate the soil, so it’s time to prepare for gardening season.  If you’re new to gardening, you will want to check out these 5 easy to grow vegetables.  These will help you gain experience and confidence as a gardener – because those of us who have been digging for a while know that some crops can be frustrating and complicated, so much so that a lot of people throw their hands in the air and give up.  However, these veggies are super easy and can give you a sense of fulfillment, alongside a full belly!

5 Easy to Grow Vegetables for the beginner:

 

Lettuce

Lettuce rejoice!  One of the most universal greens on the planet, lettuce is also really quite easy to grow and comes in a staggering amount of variety.  I always plant some Buttercrunch Heirloom Lettuce and a few varieties of red lettuce, as these always are pretty easy to grow and provide wonderful color to your salads, burgers and other foods.  There are two major distinctions of lettuce, those who grow in ‘leaves’ and those who grow in heads (think of Romaine or Iceberg varieties)  Lettuce is classified as a ‘cold crop’ so you’ll want to plant these early in the season, and then again after the hottest summer months for a recurring crop.

Spinach

Spinach ranks as my all time favorite leafy green!  It’s more robust than it’s cousin, lettuce, and packs a nutritional punch full of all sorts of good micro nutrients.  Like spinach, there are a TON of different types you can try – do some research and see what strains are most suited to your local climate.   Personally in Colorado I seem to have great luck with Giant Nobel and Bloomsdale breeds.  Again, these are a cool crop so plant em’ early for a great spinach salad in a few weeks!

Kale

Kale has had a renaissance in recent years – at one time this plant was relegated to being a garnish at your local buffet table, but it’s come into its own as one of the most nutritious and hardy greens that you can get.  Up until about a year ago I had never tried growing it, but it’s actually rather easy to get some monster kale plants erected in your garden.  They are also very sturdy plants that can withstand brutal heat and fairly arid conditions.  Kale also is awesome for container gardening, where you can keep the leaves small and tender and utilize them in salads.  Although I am sure some of the folks reading this site are ‘meat and potatoes’ kind of guys, Kale works as an excellent side dish when it’s brushed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and grilled along side your steaks, burgers and bratwursts.  My favorite kale varieties are Red Russian & Dwarf Blue.  Pick some up for this season and be amazed at the yields!

Peas

Remember those little green things you used to try to hide under your mashed potatoes?  Yes, I am talking about the humble pea.   I have grown to love peas and growing them is pretty straight forward – or rather up and down!  Peas all grow little ‘fingers’ that wrap around the nearest structure to help them grow, so with peas you may want to consider a trellising system  My favorite peas of all are the snow pea, which grow into a delightfully crisp flat pod that you can eat without having to dig into the pod itself.  Awesome for a snack or stir fry!  One of my favorite selections of these 5 easy to grow vegetables.

Beans

Now if you’ve read my article on survival beans, you know that they hold a place dear to my heart – as beans are a great option for long term storage and provide protein, fiber and a whole host of nutritional benefits.  Not to mention that they are pretty easy and fun to grow.   Beans stalk up with their broad, fat leaves and can provide excellent eats both fresh or stored dry for many years to come.  The coolest part about beans is the different colors they come in – I always have green, yellow, & purple beans of both pole and string variety that decorate my garden (and later my plate).

I hope these 5 easy to grow vegetables will inspire confidence in you beginning gardeners!  Get out there, get your hands dirty and start growing your own food.  Your family, your body and your wallet will thank you!

Cheers!