Aphiwe MtwakuIf you are a gardener and you are looking for ways to keep your harvest going throughout the year, you might want to consider growing fast-growing plants. Planting quick-to-harvest foods in your garden ensures your garden yields food through the seasons. Your garden will provide you with enough crop to make use of when planting fast growers in succession or growing them as microgreens.
Here is a list of 7 plants to grow for a quick-to-harvest garden.
1. Radishes
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Radishes are incredibly easy to grow and have a tremendous growing rate. These can be harvested as microgreens while they are still in seedling mode for their flavour. Radishes can grow in any size garden in pots, containers or raised beds. You can sow seeds directly into containers and then later transfer the seedlings into the ground. Radishes require regular watering and can be ready to harvest in a matter of weeks.
2. Lettuce
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This leafy green is the star of many salads. Lettuce is an easy-to-grow leafy vegetable. You can grow lettuce successively to ensure a constant harvest. Lettuce grows very fast when provided with moist soil to grow in. Sow seeds in containers or in the ground, make sure you thin the seedlings out, as they grow to about 12 cm apart.
3. Spinach
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Another phenomenally fast grower is spinach. The great thing about spinach is that it can be harvested when they are young and used as baby spinach in a variety of dishes. The full-grown spinach can also yield a great harvest as its leaves can be harvested in succession in a cut-and-come-again fashion. Also, spinach loves moist soil to grow well. Spinach is a sure winner for any quick-to-harvest garden.
4. Beets
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This root vegetable can be grown successively as it has a longer growing period. However, you can plant beets to harvest in the seedling stage as microgreens to use in salads and other dishes. Beets can be harvested as baby beets, which are smaller than fully matured vegetables, but just as delicious with a sweetness to them. Planting beets in succession also ensures a continuous harvest.
5. Carrots
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We love the orange-coloured veggies for their nutrients and vibrant colour. Carrots can be harvested as baby carrots providing that crunchy, sweet taste we love about them. Carrots can be sown from seeds in early spring. They love water, so make sure to water them regularly.
6. Arugula
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Also known as rocket and a personal favourite of mine, this green herb can be planted in pots or directly sown. Rocket is easy to grow and can be harvested within a few weeks of planting, usually as baby leaves for its peppery flavour in your meals. The baby leaves provide a sweeter flavour than the mature plants and can sometimes be used as a garnish.
7. Microgreens
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It’s not always easy to remain patient when it comes to growing your garden. Growing microgreens is an easy solution to that impatience. Microgreens are those seedlings that will provide great flavour and nutritional value when harvested in the early stage. You can grow microgreens from seeds such as spinach, lettuce and beets. Simply cut off the baby leaves before they are fully matured to enjoy.
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