Easy vegetables to grow for beginner gardeners.

The food that we eat today is grown by using tons of pesticides. This has the potential to harm our health. Organic food is more expensive.  Having your own garden where you can grow your own vegetables is not only healthy but also cheap. If you are a beginner and don’t know exactly what to grow in your garden, then this article can help you.

Easy vegetables to grow in your home

1. Chilies

For beginners, chillies are a good start. Chillies grow well in warm and dry climatic conditions. The ideal temperature for chillies is 20 to 28° C (68 to 82 °F). Chillies can be raised in small containers. They germinate within 7-10 days. After they grow about 1.6m tall, you can transplant them into bigger containers that are at least 12 inches deep. Chillies can be harvested within 60-70 days. It is important to note that:

• Chillies need at least 5-6 hours of sunlight every day.
• Water your plant when the top soil is dry. Chillies do not grow well when the soil becomes too moist. So, avoid overwatering the plant.
• Soil that is rich in microbes, helps in better growth of the plant. You can add tea compost, fruit peels, cow dung etc as a fertilizer. Cow dung must be properly composted before you add it to the plants.

2. Coriander

Coriander has several health benefits. It improves digestion, protects the eyes, treats diarrhoea etc. It is a cold-weather crop. It can grow in temperatures between 17°C to 27° C (63°F to 81 °F). Coriander seeds germinate within 7-10 days. It can be grown in containers that are at least 10 inches deep. It can be harvested within 40-45 days. Some of the important things to note are:

• Since coriander is a cold weather crop, high temperatures can result in bolting. Bolting is a mechanism the plant uses as a means to survive, when the conditions for its growth are not good. Once bolting happens the leaves loses its flavour. Make sure to place your pot in a shady area that does not get intense sunlight.
• Thoroughly water the pot, till the water comes out from the drainage holes. Make sure that the container does not become too dry.
• The potting mix must drain well, and must contain an exact proportion of peat and manure.

3. Spinach

Spinach has many vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and magnesium that support the immune system. Spinach can be grown between temperatures of 10 °C to 28°C (50 °F to 82°F). It is also capable of tolerating even lower temperatures. Your seeds are likely to germinate within 5-10 days of sowing them. Spinach grows well in containers that are 6-8 inches deep. Spinach can be harvested within 45- 50 days. Some things to note are:

• Spinach needs partial shade and sunlight to grow.
• Ensure that the soil is moist, at the same time avoid overwatering.
• Use a well drained soil, that is rich in organic matter. Spinach needs more manure to grow well.

4. Bitter gourds

Bitter gourd juice has several health benefits. It can lower blood pressure and improve skin health. It also fights cancer cells, purifies blood, promotes hair growth, and improves vision. Bitter gourd grows well in hot and humid conditions. The ideal temperature for bitter gourd to grow is between 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F). Growing a single seed in one pot is recommended. The container size should be about 16 inches. Seeds germinate within 8-10 days of sowing. The vegetable can be harvested within 55-60 days. Important points to note are:

• Bittergourd needs atleast 6-8 hours of sunlight everyday
• As bitter gourd, grows well in high temperatures, frequent watering is essential so that the soil does not become too dry.
• Since bitter gourd is a climber, provide an adequate vertical support using a trellis.
• Use a well drained soil that has many nutrients. 

5. Tomatoes

One of the easy vegetables to grow is tomatoes. Tomatoes are a major source of lycopene, an antioxidant. This antioxidant has numerous health benefits such as reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease. They are also rich in Vitamin C, Potassium, Folate and Vitamin K. Tomatoes grow well in temperatures between 21°C to 28 °C ( 70°F – 82°F). It cannot withstand high frost and humidity. Containers that are at least 18 inches deep are needed for tomatoes to grow. Germination takes place within 10-14 days after sowing the seeds.

• Tomatoes need 8 hours of direct sunlight every day.
• Tomatoes grow well even in sandy to heavy clay soil.
• Tomatoes need more water when they are grown in containers.
• Tomatoes can be harvested within 90 to 100 days.

6. Okra:

Okra is rich in nutrients, contains antioxidants, has anticancer properties etc. At the same time, it is easy to add to your diet. Okra is a hot weather crop, it can sustain high temperatures. Okra grows well in temperatures between 20°C to 26°C (68°F to 80°F). Containers that are 10-12 inches deep are ideal for okra to grow.

• Okra seeds germinate within 7-10 days of sowing. The crop can be harvested within 30 to 40 days.
• Okra requires at least 6-8 hours of sunlight everyday.
• It can survive low water levels. You can water the crop once in two days.
• Okra grows well in sandy and loamy soils that are fertile.