Variety Guide

Broccoli matures in 60-80 days and produces a main head plus side shoots. Homegrown broccoli is sweeter and more tender than store-bought.

Beets are dual-purpose: the root is sweet and earthy, the greens are edible and nutritious. They mature in 55-70 days.

Bush tomatoes (determinate) grow 2-3 feet tall, produce in 65-75 days, and don't need staking. Ideal for balconies and small spaces.

Bush beans grow 18-24 inches tall and produce in 50-55 days. No trellis needed. They're the easiest bean for containers and small gardens.

Buttercrunch is a butterhead lettuce with soft leaves and a mild, sweet flavor. It takes 55-65 days to mature and tolerates heat better than most lettuce.

Cherry tomatoes are small, sweet, and prolific. They mature in 60-70 days and produce dozens of fruits per plant. The best tomato for containers and balconies.

Cherry Belle is a round, red radish that matures in 25 days. It's the fastest vegetable in most gardens and the best confidence-builder for beginners.

Danvers carrots are 6-7 inch orange roots that mature in 70-80 days. They tolerate heavier soil better than most carrots and store well.

Cucumbers are vining plants that produce in 55-65 days. Grow them vertically to save space. Harvest at 6-8 inches to avoid bitterness.

Kale is a cold-hardy leafy green that matures in 55-65 days. Frost makes it sweeter. It's the most forgiving green for beginners.

Onions take 100-120 days from seed, or 60-80 days from sets. They store for months and flavor almost every dish.

Okra is a heat-loving plant that produces pods in 50-60 days. It thrives above 85°F when other vegetables struggle.

Mini sweet peppers are 2-3 inch bell peppers that mature in 70-90 days. They're sweeter than full-size peppers and productive in containers.

Peas are the first vegetable you can plant in spring. They mature in 60-70 days and fix nitrogen in the soil. Plant as soon as soil can be worked.

Rainbow chard is a mix of Swiss chard varieties with red, yellow, pink, orange, and white stems. It's heat and cold tolerant, producing for months.