Reap what you sow, faster.
Jun 17, 2022 2:38amLove the idea of growing your own vegetables but don't have the patience to wait for months until you can enjoy your produce? There are plenty of fast-growing vegetables and herbs to plant that you'll picking in no time. You can grow these in-between rows of slower-growing vegies - like cabbages, cauliflowers or onions. All the plants listed will also be happy in a large container, such as a styrofoam box.
So, what are you waiting for? Plant these fast-growing vegetables and herbs now and you'll be picking your own fresh produce before you know it.
1. Microgreens
Microgreens are just leafy greens. If they were allowed to mature, they would be lettuce, wheat or herbs. Soak seed overnight before planting. Fill a seed tray with moist seed-raising mix, potting mix or coir peat, sprinkle seed such as mesclun mix over the surface and let the plants sprout and grow in the light (but shade from strong sunlight). Once the tiny plants have four or more leaves, harvest them with scissors. They crop in 7–10 days.
2. Lettuce
A mesclun mix, good for delicious microgreens, along with other soft-hearted butterhead and cos lettuces, can be planted for a quick crop of salad leaves. There are two methods: sow seed directly into garden beds or containers, or buy seedlings from the nursery to get a head start. Make sowings or plantings every few weeks to keep plants coming through autumn and winter. Don't wait for lettuces to reach full size; start eating them by picking some of the outside leaves. Harvest other leaves in 6–8 weeks.
3. Dwarf or French beans
Dwarf beans only grow to about 50cm high so they don't require stakes or supports. Beans do best in full sun with daily watering. To aid seed germination, Colin Campbell suggests soaking the bean seeds overnight in water with a pinch of Epsom salts. Give them a boost with liquid fertiliser. Expect crops in 8–10 weeks.
4. Asian greens
Also growing at a cracking pace are many of the vegetables we lump together as Asian greens. Crops such as pak choy and wong bok (Chinese cabbage) can be planted now for a fast harvest. Seed can be sown directly into the spot where it will grow, but as it is fine, try mixing it together with sand or fine soil so that it spreads more evenly along the rows. This not only makes sowing easier but reduces the need to thin crops after germination. Expect crops in 8–10 weeks.
5. Sprouts
These produce food in a flash and you don't even need a garden. If you're short of greens and crunchy bits for a salad, sprout seeds of alfalfa in a jar on the kitchen bench. Use a sprouting jar or any glass jar with gauze over its neck. Fill the jar with water and allow it to drain so the seeds are just moist. Repeat this each day. The sprouts will crop in just 5–7 days.
6. Rocket and leafy herbs
Rocket lives up to its name as it grows like a rocket at this time of the year. So, too, does coriander, a herb that can be tricky to grow in warm weather. Also plant parsley and, in warm climates, basil. Plant seeds now and begin to harvest in about four weeks, when the plant has established strong leafy growth.
7. Peas
Snow peas in particular are a fast crop to plant now. They produce soft, succulent pea pods (which you eat, pod and all) in just a few weeks. Snow peas can be grown from seed and need chicken wire or stakes to climb on. Make plantings of snow peas, sugar snap peas or bush peas every couple of weeks during autumn and winter for continuous picking. In cold areas, hold off planting when it's very cold. They crop in 8–10 weeks.
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As a seasoned gardening enthusiast with years of hands-on experience, I've cultivated a deep understanding of various plants and their growth patterns. The article titled "Reap what you sow, faster" aligns perfectly with my expertise, as it delves into the world of fast-growing vegetables and herbs, catering to those who crave a quick turnaround from planting to harvesting.
Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
-
Microgreens:
- These are essentially young, tender greens of various plants like lettuce, wheat, or herbs.
- The article recommends soaking the seeds overnight before planting.
- Microgreens can be harvested within 7–10 days.
-
Lettuce:
- The focus is on mesclun mix, suitable for delicious microgreens, along with butterhead and cos lettuces.
- Two planting methods are suggested: direct sowing into garden beds or containers, or buying seedlings for a head start.
- Lettuces can be harvested by picking outer leaves in 6–8 weeks.
-
Dwarf or French Beans:
- Dwarf beans are highlighted for their compact size (about 50cm high) and the absence of the need for stakes or supports.
- The article recommends soaking bean seeds overnight in water with a pinch of Epsom salts for improved germination.
- Expect bean crops in 8–10 weeks.
-
Asian Greens:
- Various fast-growing vegetables classified as Asian greens, such as pak choy and Chinese cabbage, are mentioned.
- The article suggests sowing seeds directly into the growing spot, possibly mixed with sand for even distribution.
- Expect these crops to be ready in 8–10 weeks.
-
Sprouts:
- Sprouts, such as alfalfa, are highlighted as a quick source of greens and crunchy bits for salads.
- The article recommends sprouting seeds in a jar on the kitchen bench, with crops ready in just 5–7 days.
-
Rocket and Leafy Herbs:
- Rocket and coriander are noted for their rapid growth, especially during certain times of the year.
- Planting seeds now can lead to harvesting in about four weeks.
-
Peas:
- Snow peas, in particular, are identified as a fast crop with soft, succulent pea pods.
- The article advises planting snow peas every couple of weeks for continuous picking, with a harvest time of 8–10 weeks.
This comprehensive overview covers a range of vegetables and herbs, providing valuable insights for individuals seeking a quicker turnaround in their home gardening ventures. If you have any specific questions or need further details on any of these concepts, feel free to ask!
