Gardening can be so rewarding when one gets to see the fruits of their labor fast. It is very important that one chooses the right crops when beginning as a gardener or for a person who wants to obtain a harvest in the shortest time possible. In this article, we give you five varieties of vegetables you can plant and get a harvest in less than one month.
1. Microgreens
Microgreens are vegetable greens harvested just after the cotyledon leaves have developed fully but before true leaves have formed.
Why Microgreens:
- Speed: Microgreens are the fastest growing crop. Within just 8-12 days, they're ready for harvest.
- Nutrient: They are very nutritious with high levels of nutrients in most cases even higher than in mature greens.
- Versatile: They can be used in salads, soups, and for garnish.
How to Grow:
- Seeding: Use a shallow tray and place many seeds.
- Watering: Ensure the soil is kept moist.
- Harvesting: Snip microgreens just above the soil line when the first true leaves appear.
2. Pea and Sunflower Shoots
While sunflower shoots and pea shoots are both considered microgreens by definition, they are often identified separately due to their unique flavors and textures.
Why Grow Pea and Sunflower Shoots:
- Flavor: Pea shoots are fresh and vegetal, while sunflower shoots have a nutty flavor.
- Nutrition: Both are very nutritious and can be used in almost all food.
- Ease: It's grown and harvested with ease within 12-15 days.
Growing Conditions:
- Sowing: Soak seeds overnight before sowing in the tray.
- Irrigation: Make sure that the soil in the pot is evenly moist.
- Harvesting: Harvest the shoots when they are approximately 4-6 inches in height.
3. Baby Lettuce
Baby lettuce refers to lettuce harvested at an immature stage, which includes a variety of lettuce types.
Why Grow Baby Lettuce:
- Tender: The young leaves are tender and good as salad.
- Fast Growth: Grows baby lettuce in under 30 days.
- Space Efficient: Perfect for tiny gardens and containers.
How to grow:
- Sowing: Plant the seeds or seedlings in well-drained soil.
- Spacing: Space plants more closely together to harvest young, or space them farther apart for full maturity.
- Harvesting: Leaves are picked at a stage of their maturity when they are edible, but they have not yet fully matured.
4. Kamote Tops
There are many other root crops, such as beets, radishes, and turnips, where the leafy parts are equally edible and can be harvested before the roots have reached maturity.
Why Plant Root Crop Leaves?
- Dual Purpose: These are eaten as vegetables while the roots continue to grow.
- Fast Harvest: Greens can be harvested within a few weeks.
- Nutritional Benefits: The greens are full of vitamins and minerals.
How to Grow:
- Sowing: Sow seeds directly into the garden.
- Thinning: Seedling should be thinned to provide spacing for root development.
- Harvesting: Greens should be harvested when young and tender.
5. Renewed Vegetables
Upgrade greens refer to crops such as kale, bok choy, and mizuna which can be harvested young.
Why Upgraded Greens:
- Diversity: It increases garden biodiversity, and as such, diet diversity.
- Taste: Delicious and savoury, tender fresh greens.
- Fast Growth: Harvestable in under 30 days.
How to Cultivate:
- Sowing: In well-prepared soil, sow the seeds.
- Watering: Maintain average moisture in soil.
- Harvesting: Leaves are to be cut when young and tender in age.
Growing a few vegetables that are really fast is an excellent way to gain some instant gratification in the garden. Whether you are a novice or long-time gardener, growing these five types of crops—microgreens, pea shoots, sunflower shoots, baby lettuce, root crop greens, and upgraded greens—is the perfect opportunity to enjoy gardening rewards plus an immediate harvest. Have fun gardening!
