With the Spring season among us, many are making the great decision to become more self-sufficient and start growing their own food. There are many seeds to choose from when it comes to starting your own garden. You can get any seed you could think of by finding a company near you on this heirloom and organic seed supplier list (over 130 companies are listed with contact info). And if you’re interested in growing several crops follow this link to learn about square foot gardening, a great way to grow a variety of vegetables without using a lot of space.

Now, without further ado, here are 11 easy-to-grow vegetables that are just for you!

1. Radish

Radishes take 30 to 45 days to grow. Plant the seeds twice as deep as the diameter of the seed. Thin them so they are 1 inch apart. Radishes can be grown wherever there is sun and moist, fertile soil. Spring radishes should be planted from as early as the soil can be worked until mid-spring. The best time to harvest radishes is when they are of usable size, which is when the roots are about 1 inch in diameter and are still young.

2. Snap/String Beans and Peas

In the Spring, wait until a week after your final frost date and directly sow your beans and peas. They generally take about  55 days to maturity and pole beans take an extra week or two compared to bush beans. Peas take anywhere from 55-75 days. Beans come in bush or pole (vine) varieties and there are many variations within the two categories. They are self pollinating so don’t worry about planting different kinds too close together unless you plan to save seed, in which case you should provide a solid 50 feet between varieties. For pole beans and peas provide a trellis, wires, or a companion plant such as corn or sunflowers for them to climb up. Pole beans and snap peas don’t need much space between plants. Give them 3-6 inches in rows or 3-5 plants per mound with a couple feet between mounds. Plant most bush varieties 3 to 6 inches apart in rows 2 to 2½ feet apart. For bush beans, most of their crop comes in a two week period so planting a few plants every week or two will make for a more continuous harvest. Be sure to plant in an area that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

3. Spinach

Spinach takes 55 days to grow. Plant the seeds twice as deep as the diameter of the seed. Thin them so they are 4 inches apart. Spinach can also be grown in sun rooms, hotbeds, or protected cold frames for winter salads. Little cultivation is required. The plants can be harvested whenever the leaves are large enough to use, like a rosette of at least five or six leaves.

4. Tomatoes

Depending on variety tomatoes take 65-80 days to harvest. If you’re growing from seed it’s a good idea to start plants indoors and transplant when temperatures are above freezing. Plant the seeds twice as deep as the diameter for the seed. Thin them so they are in rows 30 inches apart, using four foot spacing in the rows. Use a nitrogen rich compost such as cow manure and apply liberally. An age old tradition of companion planting with basil is said to prevent pests and disease, and enhance flavor.

To prevent blossom end rot add one tablespoon of epsom salt into your hole before planting, cover with dirt and then plant the seedling or seed. Additionally, you can mix one tablespoon of epsom salt per gallon of water and water the plants every two weeks or so. Learn more about using epsom salt by following this link.

5. Summer Squash

Summer squash takes 65 days to grow. Plant the seeds a 1/2 inch below the soil. Thin them so the squashes are 48 inches apart in hills. Like tomatoes, squashes love nitrogen. Planting with peas and beans fixes nitrogen in the soil and will allow the squash to thrive. This is part of a three part companion planting setup called the three sisters. To learn more about the three sisters follow this link. In many areas squashes and melons will be affected by powdery mildew before they are done maturing. To prevent a failed crop due to mildew do your best to keep the leaves dry when watering (or use drip irrigation) and spray with your leaves with an all natural defense. Learn more about what you can spray on your squash to protect them here.

6. Beets

Beets take 60 to 85 days to grow a mature root however the leaves can be eaten as well. Plant the seeds about twice as deep as the seed diameter. Thin them so that they are 2 to 4 inches apart. Beets prefer cool temperatures and the full amount of sunlight or at least 6 hours worth. Beets are cold hardy vegetables that can be planted a month prior to the final frost in the spring.

7. Carrots

Carrots take 55 to 80 days to grow. Plant the seeds twice as deep as the seed diameter. Thin them so that they are 3 inches apart. Theses plants require at least 6 hours of sunlight and a loose sandy soil. Just before planting till the soil to at least 8-9 inches, being careful to break up any clumps as these can hinder the carrot’s development.

8. Lima Beans

Lima beans can take 90 to 100 days to grow. Plant the seeds 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep. Rows should be spaced 2 feet apart with the seeds spaced 2 to 4 inches apart within the row. After germination, thin to 4 to 6 inches between plants.

9. Cabbage

Cabbage takes 65 to 100 days to grow. Plant the seeds twice as deep as the seed diameter. Thin them so that they are 24 to 30 inches apart. Keeping the crop weed-free and not disturbing the roots of the cabbage is vital. Soaking should go relatively deep. Most people decide to use the flood function on their hoses compared to the overhead shower because of how deep the water must sink into the soil. If you don’t have well drained soil you will likely run into a slug problem. This doesn’t mean you can’t grow cabbage but you should take some proactive steps to prevent a slug infestation. Learn more about dealing with slugs and snails by following this link.

10. Corn

Corn takes 70 to 115 days to mature. Plant the seeds 1 inch deep. Thin them so that they are 10 to 12 inches apart. It’s necessary to grow at least three or four rows of corn to make it worth it. The reason for this is inadequate pollination. You will surely be able to grow corn stalks with less than a few rows, however you won’t get many ears of corn.

11. Turnips

Turnips often take up to 60 days to grow. Be sure to plant the seeds twice as deep as the seed diameter. Also to thin them so they are at least 3 inches apart. It’s a good idea to pull weeds that form around the turnips before they become too large.

Of course, if you want to try some other crops as a beginner the best way to learn is by doing! Use our search bar in the upper right corner to search for more tips on growing your own or browse the Grow-It-Yourself category.

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Article originally published on Real Farmacy.com republished with permission