I'm in Zone 7a and I've only grown flowers before. This year, I want to take the plunge and try growing my first vegetable. I'm a bit anxious about it because I fear that if I fail, it will feel like a personal failure—though I know that's a bit silly. My parents used to grow tomatoes, but since my husband can't stand them, I'd rather not be swamped with something we won't eat. Any thoughts on what vegetable might be a good start for a beginner like me?
3 Answers
Starting with leafy greens like arugula, kale, or lettuce in the spring is a great choice. You can transition to summer crops like chard when it warms up. Leafy greens are usually pretty easy to grow, and they have a high return on investment since they cost more when bought at the store and don’t last long in the fridge. Oh, and consider trying some herbs like basil, sage, and mint! Just a tip—some herbs are a little tricky to start from seeds, but basil is usually a safe bet. Think about using pots for herbs since they can spread out quite a bit.
Don't take it too hard if things don’t go as planned. I struggled a lot when I first started. My watermelons barely grew, my carrots were tiny, and my zucchini didn’t produce at all! But every experience is a lesson. I eventually got lucky with cucumbers, which sprouted from compost I used! So just give it a go and enjoy the process. Every year can be different, so keep experimenting!
Have you thought about potatoes? They're super easy to grow and very forgiving if you make a mistake. Plus, there are countless ways to enjoy them in the kitchen, so you won't be stuck with too much of the same thing!