Many vegetables are difficult to grow from seed, while others will thrive whether sown directly into your outdoor garden bed or sown indoors and transferred as seedlings later on. Some vegetables even prefer to be sown indoors, where tough elements like frost will not affect them and conditions can be more easily controlled. Sowing seeds indoors generally requires less time and resources, but you have to be prepared to transplant seedlings when their size and conditions permit.
Here the 10 easiest vegetables to grow from seed:
Just about any type of bean is easy to grow from seed – pole, bush, soy, and lima beans are just a few. They do well planted directly into the ground once the soil is warm enough. They’ll need plenty of water, sun and a trellis or cage on which the vines may grow.
Beets are easy to grow from seed. Beet seeds can be sown as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring and again in the fall if so desired. They require little care, just lots of water and sun, to produce a fast, delicious crop.
Sprinkle some radish seeds in a garden bed or container, cover with rich soil, water, and watch them grow. Radish seeds can be sown outdoors, indoors and in containers with great results. They mature quickly, some in as little as 3 weeks, and can be grown in the spring and fall in most regions.
Peas do great if grown from seed. Plant them early in the season next to a trellis for support once they begin to sprout. Peas are easy to care for and kids love to harvest them. Try snap peas, but most any variety will grow easily from seed.
Tomatoes are best if sown indoors about 6 weeks before the last frost of the winter. However, in warmer areas they can be direct sown outside as well. They do well with fertile soil, regular watering and lots of sunlight. Depending on the variety, they’ll benefit from some simple pruning and staking as well.
Carrots need only water, sunlight and careful, meticulous weeding to thrive from seed. They thrive in fertile, sandy soil but can be grown just about anywhere. Sow carrot seeds as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring and again in the fall for a second harvest.
Lettuce is a cool weather crop grown from seed with relative ease. Seeds are best sown directly into your garden bed early in the spring. They may need partial shade in areas with long, hot summers.
Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, Swiss chard and mustard greens are grown easily from seed. They do best in cool weather and can be sown as soon as the soil can be worked in late spring and again in the fall.
Cucumber seeds can be sown in containers, raised garden beds, hills or rows. They need only warm weather, regular watering and 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day to yield a healthy, delicious crop. Harvest regularly once they begin to mature to make the most of the production.
Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow from seed. It needs only rich, well-drained soil, at least 6 hours of sunlight per day and regular watering.