Easiest Vegetables to Grow UK
With the UK weather forecast being so temperamental, it can be hard to to know what seeds to sow in your veg patch to get the best harvest possible, but there are some really easy vegetables and fruits to grow, including strawberries and tomatoes and even some climbing plants.
Growing vegetables doesn't have to be hard and you can create your own vegetable garden in no time. With a bit of love and the right products, your easy to grow vegetable plants will be ready to enjoy in no time.
Just because they are easy to grow, it doesn't mean these veggies don't have rich flavour and they can be grown on a sunny windowsill or in raised beds.
From fruit seeds to amazing vegetable seeds, we've got a whole list of our favourite easy to grow seeds for a vegetable patch that looks good year round.
Spring Onions
Spring onions, also known as salad onions, are such versatile and easy to grow
vegetables. Depending on the desired harvest, sow seeds from March to April.
These seeds are fast germinating and need very little maintenance, well draining soil and a sunny spot - just watering and other bits of general care. You don't even need to thin these seedlings.
Dwarf French Beans
These beans can be grown in vegetable plant pots or straight into plant beds and are one of the easiest crops. They're easy to look after, with no supports or thinning needed.
These seeds can be sown directly in mid May or early August and you can have a continuous good crop by sowing seeds every 3 weeks.
Broad Beans
Broad beans are quite hardy and can tolerate cooler temperatures. They can be sown in autumn or early spring, making them suitable for the UK's variable weather.
Once established, broad beans require relatively little care compared to more delicate plants. They are robust and can handle less-than-perfect growing conditions.
Most bean seeds, from broad to runner beans to climbing beans are relatively straight forward to grow in a UK garden.
Courgettes & Squash
Courgettes and Squashes are super easy to grow and always have a great flavour! Plant them early spring in well prepared soil.
For a good harvest, you only need one to two plants and these produce plenty of fruit as long as you keep picking and encourage them to stay productive, producing a constant supply.
Beetroot
Beetroot should be sown in later April to July and it can be eaten and enjoyed at
various stages of maturity.
Growing veg can show you just how versatile one plant can be - once they are halfway through growing season, remove alternate beetroot roots and leave the rest of the plants to mature.
The young plants that you picked can be eaten as baby beet and enjoyed with salad leaves.
Chilli Seeds
You'll often see chillis growing in a kitchen garden, as these tasty vegetables are super easy to grow and relatively trouble free. They can be grown in large pots on a patio and will always provide enough fruit to have some left over to store.
These are a great way to add a little bit of home grown spice into your meals.
Seed Potatoes
When looking to start growing your own vegetables, potatoes are a great way to start. They are easy to grow and can be pretty much just left to it.
In a large pot or container, place the seed potatoes and a layer of compost, wait until some leaves grown and cover it with some more.
Strawberry Plants
Strawberries are a delightful and rewarding fruit to grow, and they thrive well in the UK's climate with the right care which also makes them on of the easiest fruits.
You'll often see these fruits in hanging baskets enjoying the sun and they can crop for up to three to four years, so don't throw the plant away at the end of the season, as all it will need when Spring comes around is a bit of love and care and it'll be good to go.
Radish
Arguably one of the easiest vegetables to grow, as well as the quickest, this plant can crop in as little as four weeks!
Sow after the last frost date (around March to May). Radishes are quite hardy, but if the weather is too harsh they might require some protection from it, such as a horticultural fleece.
Simply plant the seeds in well drained soil that's been enriched with organic matter and enjoy this easy crop.
Lettuce
With the range of varieties that lettuce comes in, there are plenty that favour the UK climate and thrive in our gardens.
They are quick to germinate and only require simple care - keep the soil moist and make sure they are in a sheltered spot on really hot days.
They'll reach maturity and you'll be able to have home grown salads.
Rhubarb
Once they ripen fully, Rhubarb plants can grow and crop for years. Providing a plentiful harvest when other plants and crops are thin on the ground.
Early spring (March to April) is the ideal time to plant rhubarb crowns. This gives the plants a chance to establish before the growing season begins. To make it a bit easier, you can buy young plants and give yourself a head start.
Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes, alongside other varieties such as cordon tomatoes are considered quite easy to grow.
Across gardens, they are a popular choice as they only need simple care and produce a bountiful harvest. Start tomato seeds around six to eight weeks before the last frost (February to March) Simply sow in a sunny spot and enjoy your own fruit once it is ready to harvest.
If they need support, bamboo canes are the perfect way to help these plants grow.
How To Look After Young Plants
Watering
Consistent watering is key to the health of young plants. They need regular moisture to establish their roots, but it’s vital to avoid over watering, which can lead to waterlogged soil and root issues.
Using a watering can with a fine rose or a gentle stream helps to avoid disturbing the soil. To determine when to water, check the soil moisture by feeling it with your fingers. If the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, it’s time to water.
Fertilising
Young plants benefit from initial feeding with a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser, which provides essential nutrients for their early growth.
As plants mature, their nutrient needs change. Transition to a fertiliser suited to their growth stage; for instance, a high-nitrogen formula supports leafy growth, while fertilisers high in phosphorus or potassium aid in flowering and fruiting.
Protection from Pests and Diseases
Regular inspection of young plants for pests and diseases is crucial. Look for signs such as unusual spots on leaves, wilting, or the presence of insects. Implement organic pest control methods like neem oil, insecticidal soap, or introducing beneficial insects, as these methods are gentle on young plants while effective against pests.
To prevent diseases, maintain good garden hygiene by cleaning tools and removing any diseased plant material promptly. Proper spacing and airflow around plants can also help reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Temperature and Environmental Conditions
Maintaining the right temperature and environmental conditions is essential for young plants. Ensure that they are kept within their preferred temperature range, typically around 20-25°C (68-77°F) during the day and slightly cooler at night. Sudden temperature fluctuations or extreme conditions can stress young plants and impede their growth.
Making Fertile Soil
Mix in plenty of organic matter like compost, well-rotted manure, or leaf mould. This improves soil structure, adds nutrients, and helps retain moisture. Aim to add a layer about 5-10 cm thick and work it into the top 15 cm of soil.
If your soil is heavy clay, mix in sand or grit to improve drainage. This prevents waterlogging and helps roots grow more easily. For sandy soils, add organic matter to help retain moisture and nutrients.
Apply mulch around plants to keep the soil moist and reduce weeds. Organic mulches like straw, wood chips, or grass clippings decompose over time, adding nutrients to the soil.