Easy-to-tend vegetable and fruit options for a hassle-free harvest
Growing Veg, Done Right:
If you're a newbie to gardening, don't sweat it. Let's break down the basics and pick the right crops for a stress-free journey.
Got a small space? Worry not! Discover simple, space-saving crops to grow.
Some crops like tomatoes might need a bit more attention, but others are a breeze even for busy bees. Take a closer look at the easy-care crops below.
Cabbage Patch Party:
- Courgettes, squashes, and patty pans
- Booming, beginner-friendly, and can be planted out late May after preparing the ground.
- Provide more than enough produce, but don't forget to keep picking or they'll turn into marrows!
- Beetroot
- Sow seeds 5cm apart from late April to July.
- Remove alternate roots when half-grown—even these thinnings are useful for salads!
- Chillies
- Vibrant, charming, and trouble-free. To grow, pick your favorite strength and set up three plants in a large tub on the patio with a cane for support. You'll get ample crops, enough to store for winter.
- Dwarf French Beans
- Sow from mid-May to early August in open ground or containers.
- No thinning out or supports are needed. The same plants will crop for three to four weeks, with new sowings every three weeks.
- Potatoes in Pots
- Growing potatoes in large pots or bags is a breeze! Add a few seed potatoes to a layer of compost, cover, and let them grow. They'll require less maintenance this way. Find out more!
Fruity Delights
There's nothing like the taste of fresh, home-grown fruit and veg. No matter the size of your garden, there's always something to grow:
Strawberries- Sowed once and can crop well for three to four years.- Minimal maintenance—just tidy the plants in spring to keep them in tip-top shape.
Rhubarb- Easy to grow and will crop for many years. Offers harvests when other crops are thin.- Can be forced for an earlier crop!
A Gardener's Toolkit:
- Spread black plastic mulch on untouched areas, keeping weeds down and enhancing moisture retention.
- Keep tools, ideally a water supply, close to your plot for convenience.
- Consider raised beds and the 'no dig' method, as both result in fewer weeds and reduced maintenance.
- Buy young plants from the garden center in spring to avoid seed-growing hassles.
- Experiment with companion plants to attract pollinators and deter pests.
Enrichment Data:
Easy-care, low-maintenance crops are a gardener's dream. These fruits and veggies thrive with minimal input, making them suitable for beginners or those with limited time.
Easy-Peasy Crops
- Lemons (Dwarf Varieties)
- Thrive in pots, though needing proper drainage.
- Enjoy the sun and dampness.
- Lettuce
- Fast-growing, ready to harvest in three to four weeks.
- Can be grown in containers or garden beds.
- Prefers cooler climates with partial shade.
- Garlic Chives
- A hardy perennial, self-seeding, and boasting attractive purple flowers.
Choose Perennials for Long-Term Gains
- Raspberries
- A crowd-pleaser, bearing copious amounts of scrumptious fruits.
- Requires regular watering and pruning.
- Blueberries
- A delightful perennial delivering an abundance of berries.
- Successful growth in acidic soil and cooler temperatures.
- Strawberries
- Providing harvests for three to four years with little maintenance.
- Requires tidying up once a year for optimal health.
By incorporating these simple yet productive crops, you'll be well on your way to a bountiful, low-maintenance vegetable garden!
- For a hassle-free vegetable gardening experience, consider growing crops like beetroot, dwarf French beans, courgettes, and strawberries in raised beds, which are known for reducing weed growth and maintenance.
- If you're interested in growing food-and-drink items such as lemons and raspberries, consider choosing dwarf varieties or opt for containers, as they thrive in limited spaces and require minimal care.
- To enrich your home-and-garden lifestyle with a variety of easy-to-grow and low-maintenance crops, consider incorporating perennials like blueberries, garlic chives, and raspberries, which provide continuous harvests for multiple years with minimal input.
