When spring rolls around, it’s the perfect time to revitalize your garden and enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own vegetables. If you’re eager to see quick results, fast-growing vegetables are the way to go. These crops grow swiftly, letting you enjoy fresh, homegrown produce in as little as 20-60 days.
Whether you’re a beginner gardener or simply impatient for a bountiful harvest, this guide will introduce you to the best fast-growing vegetables for spring planting and how to cultivate them.
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Why Choose Fast-Growing Vegetables?
Fast-growing vegetables have several advantages:
- Quick Harvests: Enjoy fresh produce without a long waiting period.
- Succession Planting: Grow multiple crops in one season.
- Beginner-Friendly: Perfect for new gardeners to see quick results.
- Ideal for Small Spaces: Many fast-growing vegetables are compact and thrive in containers.
Preparing Your Garden for Spring Planting
Before diving into planting, you’ll need to prepare your garden. Follow these steps for success:
- Clean Your Garden Beds: Remove winter debris, weeds, and old plant material.
- Amend the Soil: Add compost or organic matter to enrich the soil and improve drainage.
- Test the Soil: Check your soil’s pH and nutrient levels. Most vegetables prefer a pH of 6.0-Recommended product:
- Luster Leaf Soil Test Kit
A highly-rated kit on Amazon that’s easy to use and helps you understand your soil’s needs.
- Luster Leaf Soil Test Kit
- Choose the Right Location: Ensure your garden gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
- Plan for Frost Protection: Use row covers or cloches to protect seedlings from unexpected frosts. Recommended product:
- Agfabric Floating Row Covers
Lightweight and easy to install, these covers are a popular choice on Amazon.
- Agfabric Floating Row Covers
Top 10 Fast-Growing Vegetables for Spring Planting
Radishes
- Time to Harvest: 20-30 days
Radishes are one of the quickest-growing vegetables, making them perfect for spring gardens. They thrive in cool weather and are incredibly easy to grow.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds directly into the soil, about 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart.
- Thin seedlings to allow space for bulb development.
- Harvest promptly to avoid overly spicy radishes.
Recommended product:
- Gardeners Basics, Radish Seeds
These seeds offer fast germination and are highly rated for consistent yields.
Lettuce
- Time to Harvest: 30-45 days
Leaf lettuce varieties grow quickly and are ideal for salads. You can harvest individual leaves or wait for a full head to form.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds directly or start indoors for an early harvest.
- Provide consistent watering and partial shade to prevent bolting.
- Practice succession planting for continuous harvests.
Recommended product:
- Sereniseed Certified Organic Leafy Greens Lettuce Seeds Collection
Available on Amazon, these seeds produce tender, flavorful leaves.
Spinach
- Time to Harvest: 30-40 days
Spinach thrives in the cool, mild conditions of spring and offers nutrient-packed leaves.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds directly in well-drained soil.
- Water regularly and mulch to keep roots cool.
- Harvest outer leaves for ongoing production.
Recommended product:
- Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach Seeds
These seeds are highly rated for their fast growth and resistance to bolting.
Green Onions (Scallions)
- Time to Harvest: 20-30 days
Scallions are a versatile addition to your garden and can be harvested as needed.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds shallowly, about 1/4 inch deep.
- Thin seedlings to about 2 inches apart.
- Harvest when stalks are pencil-thin.
Recommended product:
- Evergreen Bunching Onion Seeds
These Amazon favorites produce crisp, flavorful green onions quickly.
Arugula
- Time to Harvest: 20-40 days
This peppery green grows quickly and adds a bold flavor to salads and sandwiches.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds directly in rows or broadcast them for a wild garden look.
- Thin plants to ensure proper growth.
- Harvest young leaves for the best flavor.
Recommended product:
- Wild Rocket Arugula Seeds for Planting
- Organic, fast-growing, and highly rated for consistent results.
Peas
- Time to Harvest: 50-60 days
Sugar snap and snow peas are sweet, crisp, and easy to grow in cool spring weather.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds directly, about 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart.
- Provide trellises for climbing varieties.
- Harvest when pods are tender and full.
Recommended product:
- Sow Right Seeds – Sugar Snap Pea Seeds
A favorite on Amazon for their sweetness and heavy yields.
Turnips
- Time to Harvest: 40-55 days
Both turnip roots and greens are edible, making this a dual-purpose crop.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds directly in loose soil, 1/2 inch deep.
- Thin seedlings to about 4 inches apart.
- Harvest roots when they’re 2-3 inches in diameter.
Recommended product:
- Purple Top White Globe Turnip Seeds
These seeds germinate quickly and produce flavorful roots.
Carrots (Early Varieties)
- Time to Harvest: 50-60 days
Shorter carrot varieties, like Nantes or Parisian, grow quickly and are perfect for spring.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds in loose, sandy soil.
- Thin seedlings to about 2 inches apart.
- Keep soil consistently moist for uniform roots.
Recommended product:
- Danvers 126 Carrot Seeds
These heirloom seeds are a favorite for their reliability and taste.
Beets
- Time to Harvest: 50-60 days
Beets are a dual-purpose vegetable, offering sweet roots and nutritious greens.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds directly, about 1/2 inch deep and 2 inches apart.
- Thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding.
- Harvest when roots reach 2-3 inches in diameter.
Recommended product:
- Detroit Dark Red Beet Seeds
These seeds are known for their quick growth and rich flavor.
Kale
- Time to Harvest: 50-60 days
Kale is a hardy, fast-growing green that thrives in cool spring weather.
Planting Tips:
- Sow seeds directly or start indoors.
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart.
- Harvest outer leaves for continuous production.
Recommended product:
- Dwarf Blue Curled Kale Seeds
These seeds are top-rated for their fast growth and tender leaves.
Tips for Success with Fast-Growing Vegetables
Practice Succession Planting
To maximize your harvest, plant new seeds every 1-2 weeks. This ensures a steady supply of vegetables throughout the season.
Recommended product:
Use Fertilizers Wisely
Fast-growing vegetables benefit from nutrient-rich soil. Apply a balanced fertilizer to support healthy growth.
Recommended product:
- Jobe’s Organics Vegetable Fertilizer Spikes – Easy-to-use spikes that provide slow-release nutrients and are Amazon favorites.
Water Consistently
Most vegetables require about 1 inch of water per week. Use a rain gauge or soaker hose for efficient watering.
Recommended product:
- Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose
This reliable hose ensures even watering for your garden.
Monitor for Pests
Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids or slugs. Use natural remedies or barriers if needed.
Recommended product:
- Catchmaster Yellow Sticky Traps
These traps are great for controlling flying pests like aphids and whiteflies.
Extend Your Growing Season
Fast-growing vegetables can be planted multiple times in one season. Start with early spring planting and re-sow during late spring or early summer. With proper planning, you’ll enjoy fresh, homegrown produce well into the warmer months.
Conclusion
Fast-growing vegetables are a gardener’s best friend, especially in spring when you’re eager to see results. By planting crops like radishes, lettuce, spinach, and peas, you’ll enjoy fresh, delicious produce in no time. Pair these vegetables with good gardening practices, the right tools, and a bit of patience, and you’ll have a bountiful harvest to enjoy all season long.
Get your seeds, prepare your garden, and start planting today! Your spring garden awaits.
