I've been super busy dealing with cleaning up my late Mom's house and haven't had time to start seeds this year. I'm thinking about getting some seedlings, but I need something low-maintenance that doesn't need daily watering. My kids have allergies too, so I'd like plants that can handle being semi-neglected. Also, I'd like to try starting some seeds, but I don't have domes to keep them moist while I'm away. What quick, affordable, and drought-resistant plants would work for me in Zone 7A?
4 Answers
I totally get low-maintenance needs! Last year, I planted cucumbers and they took over everything! They're super easy and just thrive even with little care. If you don’t mind vines everywhere, they're great!
Swiss chard is my go-to for easy gardening. No fuss with pests or diseases, and it grows well in various soil conditions. Spinach is quick but tricky to transplant, so I recommend direct seeding it if you can. By the way, for starting seeds without domes, you can use things like sandwich bags or even a plastic trash bag draped over some stakes to hold moisture in.
Kale is a solid choice! It can take a bit to get going, but once it does, it can handle tough conditions. Plus, it's a nutritious crop!
Tomatoes, okra, and peppers are great options. Just make sure to amend the soil a bit to help them establish, especially if you can’t water every day. They each offer a good yield with relatively low care once established.
I've been working on my soil too, using kitchen scraps and natural fertilizers. Tomatoes usually pull through for me, but my okra didn’t do so hot last year!
Haha, I had no idea about luffa gourds either! I thought they were giant cucumbers and ended up with a wild garden too! My labels got sunbleached, so I get that confusion!