Gardening is rewarding for many reasons. But waiting for a harvest is like watching a kettle boil for some of us.
Here are 6 plants you can harvest in as little as 6 weeks (some a little longer).
Fast growing vegetables and herbs
1. Kale
Many recipes now call for kale instead of spinach; luckily, growing the popular green is super easy.
Sow seeds 2 inches apart in rows 30 to 45 centimetres apart, choosing a nice sunny spot. Cover them with 1-1.5 centimetres of the soil, and keep it evenly moist (but not soaking wet), for best germination. Your seeds should mature in 55 to 75 days. Seedlings will speed things up, and be ready to harvest in about 30 to 40 days.
2. Lettuce
Lettuce grows quickly, and the good news is that leaf varieties reach maturity in 3 – 4 weeks, and other types of lettuce require 6 to 8 weeks to reach full harvest size.
To plant lettuce, sprinkle a pinch of lettuce seeds over the soil in a small pot. Cover with 1cm of soil and give the seeds a good drink. Place the pots in a sunny spot, and remember to water them once or twice a day. Once the lettuce grows to about 10cm, turn the plants out of the pots and transplant them to a garden bed. Pick the outer leaves as you need them.
3. Beans
Beans come in all shapes and sizes. However, pods can be ready to pick when 6-8 inches long, about 6-7 weeks after planting.
Plant beans in a area with full sun, and room for them to be trained to grow up. Be Careful not to overwater, as beans have a tendency to rot. Pick pods when they have reached a desirable size.
4. Herbs
Basil and rocket are fast-growing herbs that will pop up quickly in the right conditions. Basil germinates 7-10 days after plants and can be ready in as little as 3-4 weeks. As for rocket, you can expect to harvest in as little as seven weeks. Wait until they are mature in size before harvesting.
Sow seeds directly into the soil or purchase seedlings to plant and water in well. Most herbs require full sun but will tolerate some shade.
5. Zucchini
Zucchini flowers and fruit usually appear 5-8 weeks after planting. Don’t let the fruit mature too long as it can become aerated and tough. Not to mention, picking fruit encourages new growth.
Zucchini plants do not like cold weather, so ensure the temperature is warm before planting. Sow the seeds directly into compost in a warm spot and water thoroughly.
6. Radishes
Radishes are fast-growing vegetables and can be ready to eat in around 3 weeks. However, they don’t like the full heat of summer and are best grown in autumn or spring. The best growing conditions for radishes are full sun with well-drained soil. They are ready to harvest once they reach bite-size.
What else to plant in spring
For more information on what to plant, we give ideas, tips and planting advice each month for cooler, warmer, wetter and drier areas in each zone. Ask your local nursery which zone best matches your conditions. Here’s what you should be planting in September.
You might also like:
How to start a vegetable garden
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