by J.D.G.

Created on: July 14, 2010   Last Updated: August 05, 2010

Are you a black thumb looking for easy to grow vegetables for your garden? Or maybe you are great with plants, but want vegetables that practically take care of themselves. Either way, look no further than this article!

After a lot of trial and error in my own gardens, I have come up with a list of the top five vegetables that have worked well in my gardens over the years. This is based on vegetable gardens I have had on both the east and west coasts, so I know that these delicious garden additions will work pretty much anywhere.

* Pole Beans/Bush Beans *

These glorious legumes are easy to grow, fun to harvest, and delicious. Without much effort, you will have a bounty of beans that you simply pinch off as they ripen. Even better, beans produce nitrogen from the air they take in, so they fertilize and enrich the soil as they grow. I have had great luck with bean crops, and always have a mountain of beans to enjoy throughout the summer.

* Zucchini *

These very tasty, highly nutritious gourds are not only easy to grow, but are also extremely prolific. By the middle of summer, you will have more zucchini than you know what to do with, and you'll be handing baskets of them out to friends and family. Luckily, zucchini are as delicious as they are easy to grow! Besides pickles, you can also enjoy grilled zucchini, zucchini lasagna, zucchini relish, zucchini enchiladas, zucchini bread...the list goes on an on!

* Beets *

Beets are easy to grow veggies that are also loaded with nutrients. According to WHFoods.com, beetroots and greens are packed with folic acid, manganese, potassium, and fiber. Plus, they pair perfectly with pretty much any food, can be eaten hot or cold, and add a splash of lovely color to any dish.

* Tomatoes *

Tomatoes are easy to grow, and they produce like crazy throughout the summer, which is great - nothing beats the flavor of homemade pasta sauce or ketchup! As for growing ease, these gardening favorites come in a plethora of varieties, colors, and sizes, each with its own list of benefits. The cherry tomato varieties, for example, are much more resistant to disease than their larger tomato counterparts. Bonus - tomatoes are loaded with antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin C, so they are a healthy gardening choice.

* Radishes *

Both the radish and its greens are great sources of vitamin C, calcium, and cancer-protective qualities that make them an outstanding addition to salads. They are also an incredible addition to vegetable gardens because they require very little fertilizer, not much tending, and they practically grow themselves.

All of these easy to grow vegetables have been proven winners in my gardens - give them a try for yourself, and see how easy (and delicious) you can make your gardening!

Sources:

Every Nutrient. (2006). "Health Benefits of Radishes." http://www.everynutrient.com/healthbenefitsofradishe s.html>. May 25, 2010.

George Mateljan Foundation. (2010). "WHFoods: Beets." http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=49>. May 24, 2010.

George Mateljan Foundation. (2010). "WHFoods: Tomatoes." http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=44>. May 25, 2010.

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