People usually think that having a small garden is a disadvantage as there will not be enough spaces for plants to grow. However, this is not the absolute truth because there is still an enormous number of vegetables that can be planted in a limited area. Before getting to know those vegetables, we recommend you take a look at our article on the raised bed, in which you can grow and set up all your plants more effectively, since a good arrangement is really important to keep your small space logical and neat.
Let’s get down to our suggestion list of 10 best vegetables to cultivate in a so-called insufficient space and select the best plants in your raised bed.
1. Lettuce
If you have ever come to a small garden before, it is very like that you will see lettuce being grown. Lettuce is considered one of the most widely planted vegetables in the world. It is not only known as the main ingredients for salads but also as a wrap for meat. In addition, you can also put lettuce into any food that comes with broth to add on the green element and bring more tastes. As lettuce contains vitamin A and K, it would help to improve your health status.
Typically, lettuce prefers cool weather when the temperature is between 40 to 85 degrees F. So it will be better if you plant lettuce in the spring or fall and avoid the summer. When starting planting, you should put lettuce seeds ¼ to ½ inch under the soil. And for lettuce to grow fully, it may take around 30 days up to 8 weeks.
2. Cherry Tomatoes
Do you love eating tomatoes but do not have a lot of time to cook them? You better switch to cherry tomatoes, which is much smaller than usual tomatoes yet tastes actually the same or even better when served raw. Yes, you can just pick up this kind of tomato from its plant and eat it right away. Or you cook them with other ingredients of your choice and the processed food will still be delicious. Cherry tomatoes can protect people against osteoporosis and skin damage caused by UV light and brain disorders.
Cherry tomatoes can grow best in warm weather. They need to receive at least 8 hours of sunlight a day. Also, they often take 65 to 70 days to reach their maturity. Therefore, you should consider to begin planting them in the springtime and make sure that they are placed in a sunny position. It is recommended that their seeds should be positioned ⅛ inches deep underground.
3. Herbs
Herbs are essential to our lives as they bring a lot of health benefits. Firstly, they can prevent and control heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Secondly, they have the ability to reduce blood clots and provide anti-inflammatory as well as anti-tumor properties. Furthermore, people usually add herbs as the last touch of their dishes since herbs tend to generate great smells. There are a variety of herbs that can fit in small spaces for you to choose such as basil, chives, parsley, or cilantro.
When growing herbs outdoors, you should put them somewhere that has sunlight. As they germinate better on sunny days, you can start planting them in the spring or summer. Generally, it takes about 2 to 4 weeks for herbs to grow completely. Some herbs can grow much faster, and some can progress much slower depending on each type of herbs. Plating depths also vary for different herb kinds, ranging from ¼ to ½ inch.
4. Garlic
We often use garlic to cook with almost all of our stir-fry dishes to enhance their tastes and smells. But how many people actually think of the benefits that garlic can bring? Well, garlic appears to be very good for our health. It is full of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B6, vitamin C, and manganese, which can boost our moods, improve our brain healths, and strengthen our immune system. It also wipes out all kinds of infections like fungal, bacterial, parasitic, and viral.
Garlic is claimed to be one of the easiest vegetables to grow. To begin with, you will need to cover a clove under 1 to 2 inches of fine soil. That clove will then develop into a whole bulb. Garlic will grow best if it is exposed to sunlight and placed in rich, well-drained soil. If you sow in autumn, winter, or early spring, you can harvest in late summer.
5. Kale
Kale is a leafy green vegetable that is very well-known among the green eater’s community. It is commonly consumed raw in salad or smoothies. It has a very small amount of calories but is filled with nutrients. So it can bring tonnes of benefits to your well-being. Kale can help to lower cholesterol that leads to heart disease. Kale consists of nutrients called Lutein and Zeaxanthin that are able to protect your eyes. And as kale does not comprise a lot of fat, it is perfect for people who are on a diet. The most popular type of kale is curly green.
Kale can be grown from seeds which should be put ¼ to ½ inches deep into well-drained and light soil. It is recommended to sow seeds in spring and autumn. Then you can harvest kale after 50 to 60 days when it becomes mature enough. When harvesting, make sure you only collect the leaves instead of a whole plant so that the plant can continue to grow and produce leaves for you for months.
6. Spinach
In case kale tastes a bit too bitter for you, kale will be the greatest substitution as its bitter taste is more subtle. Just like kale, spinach is extremely nutritious and low in calories. They both contain a lot of vitamins, fiber, and other micronutrients such as calcium and magnesium. So spinach is also capable of preventing several diseases. Spinach can be served either raw or cooked, depending on your liking.
Spinach has similar growing conditions and requirements as lettuce. In order to plant spinach, sow seed ½ to 1 inch under moist, nutrient-rich soil. Spinach requires cool weather to grow, which means it is better to start planting in late winter or early spring and continue in late summer or early fall as spinach also needs sunlight. It typically takes around 6 weeks for spinach to fully grow. You should harvest spinach as soon as it reaches the desired size or else the vegetable will be really bitter. And you should not remove all of the leaves since they need some to keep producing.
7. Radish
Radish is an edible root vegetable that is usually eaten raw due to its crunchy texture. It is not a popular type of vegetable, but it comes with lots of nutrients that are good for your health. Firstly, radish has anti-cancer properties and can cause cell death in some cancer cell lines. Secondly, radish has shown a connection to weight loss and lower cholesterol. At the same time, it would also help protect your stomach against toxins.
It should be noted that radish growing in really hot weather can bolt and lose all of its benefits. Therefore, you should consider planting radish in the summer or fall to avoid too high temperatures and maintain the sunny weather. As radish is grown from its root, make sure that the soil is rich in organic matter but not compacted first. Then sow the seed ½ to 1 inch under moist soil and wait for around 3 weeks to harvest. You should pick the radish out as soon as it reaches maturity because leaving radish in the ground for too long will result in deterioration.
8. Green Beans
Green beans are not so common in the West but widely known in Asia. People usually stir-fry green beans with garlic or put them in mixed fried rice to add some crispness. So what are some benefits of green beans? They are a source of vitamin C and vital minerals. They help to improve your eyesight, decrease the risk of heart attacks, and regulate your bone metabolism.
You can begin growing green beans in the spring or in the fall which is 10 to 12 weeks before the first frost. Sow seeds one to two inches deep under moderately rich soil, then make sure to water them right after sowing. For harvesting, green beans on average take about 2 months to be absolutely mature. You should not wait longer than this to pick your beans because they will become overgrown and tough.
9. Peas
Peas are a very popular vegetable as you can put them in any random recipes. There are many different kinds of peas, but the most well-known one is definitely green peas. If you are trying to lose weight, you cannot ignore this vegetable. First of all, it has considerably low calories, so you will not have to worry about how much peas you can eat. It is the best plant-based source of protein that works with fiber to slow your digestion and therefore make you feel full. Furthermore, it contains properties that can support blood sugar control and prevent fatal diseases.
Peas require warm weather to germinate, so it is best to plant them in the spring. For peas to grow faster, you can soak the seeds overnight in water before planting. Sow seeds 1 inch under the soil or lower if the soil tends to dry out quickly. Peas should be ready to be harvested after 60 to 70 days. And to acknowledge when the peas are mature enough, you can base on its height which is approximately 2 to 3 inches long.
10. Beetroot
Beetroot, simply known as beet, is a root vegetable. Nowadays, a lot of people know this one because it is usually used as the main source of a smoothie bowl. Beetroot is packed with full of essential nutrients. It has a high amount of fiber that is able to reduce the risk of several diseases. It also consists of various minerals that can improve your well-being.
The ideal soil to grow beetroot is medium to light that has not been manured. Beets should be planted from March or July and sown 1 inch deep under the desired soil. Typically, beets can grow fully 90 days after sowing. You can decide when to harvest by looking at their size: they should be the size of a golf ball or a tennis ball. When harvesting, gently hold the tops of beets and lift them out of the soil.
Conclusion
All in all, those vegetables mentioned above are very easy to grow and will not take up a lot of places. If you love organic food, definitely consider growing these greens on your own at your house. By doing so, you can guarantee that your plants are safe and do not consist of any chemicals. You can save a lot of money from not buying them at the store. You will always have them right away anytime you want to eat. And last but not least, you can relieve stress and enjoy the fun of growing plants.
