Homesteading is a really daunting word. Being fully self sufficient at feeding your family might be the dream but we all have to start somewhere! So if you are new to homesteading and the idea still scares you I highly recommend starting with a small garden and these veggies below. Because they are the easiest and most forgiving food that you can grow!
And remember- when you are learning to grow food you are going to have awesome, fulfilling moments but there are also going to be challenging times and that is okay. And the more growing seasons that pass the easier it will get. More moments will be good than bad and it will all be worth it.
Okay enough with the pep talk- let’s get into chatting about the easiest foods that you can start growing in your homestead garden!
The Easiest Food To Grow On a Homestead
What plants to grow when you’re new to homesteading:
1: Potatoes
Potatoes are basically the overachievers of the garden world. You dig a hole, toss in a potato chunk, and a few months later, you’re pulling out a whole crop of potatoes!! Okay that’s a tiny bit simplified but really they are so easy. They don’t need perfect soil, they don’t care about a little neglect, and they’re pretty forgiving if you forget to water them now and then.
Pro tip: You can even grow them in a big bucket, a laundry basket, or a stack of old tires if you’re short on space. Just keep covering the stems with soil as they grow, and when the leaves start dying back, it’s time for the best part after, digging them up like buried treasure lol!
2: Zucchini
Guys this was the first vegetable that I ever grew at my own home (worked at orchards/greenhouses before) and I was SHOOK by how easy these were even in a rough environment.
These plants grow so fast that you’ll wake up one morning and suddenly have zucchinis the size of baseball bats staring at you from the garden. They need minimal care, and as long as they get some sun and water, they’ll reward you with more squash than you know what to do with.
One plant can produce enough zucchinis to feed a small army, so unless you plan on opening a roadside zucchini stand (lol) start with just a couple of plants. And yes, you will eventually end up driving your loved ones crazy by constantly giving them zucchinis and everything you can possible bake with them!!
I have a whole article about growing zucchinis and my love for them here: My Best Tips For Growing A Zucchini Plant In Your Garden!
3: Green Beans
Green beans are the low-maintenance besties of the homestead. They grow quickly, don’t need a ton of fussing over, and keep producing as long as you keep picking them. You can plant bush beans (which don’t need support) or pole beans (which love to climb up trellises or fences).
If you’re new to gardening and need a little instant gratification, green beans are the way to go. Plus, fresh-picked green beans taste about a thousand times better than the sad ones at the grocery store I promise!!
4: Herbs (Basil, Mint, and Chives)
If you are new around here- hi I’m Korra and I am obsessed with growing herbs!!
If full-sized vegetable gardening still seems intimidating, start with herbs. They grow fast, require almost no effort, and can be stuffed into any little corner of your yard (or even a windowsill).
Basil grows like crazy in warm weather and is perfect for homemade pesto. Mint is impossible to kill (seriously, plant it once and it will probably outlive you). Chives don’t even need watering half the time and will keep growing year after year.
Herbs are also a great way to feel like a fancy chef because nothing makes a home-cooked meal feel more impressive than casually tossing in some fresh basil from your own garden.
5: Radishes
Radishes are the ultimate confidence booster for beginner gardeners. They grow fast, they don’t require perfect soil, and in about three to four weeks, you’ll have crunchy radishes ready to harvest. That’s right my friends! Less than a month from seed to plate.
They’re also a great option if you’re impatient and want to see results quickly. Just plant the seeds (my favorite radish seeds linked here!), give them a little water, and before you know it, you’ll be pulling up radishes like a pro.
6: Tomatoes (Especially Cherry Tomatoes)
Tomatoes can be a little dramatic if they don’t get enough water or sunlight, but if you start with cherry tomatoes, you’re basically guaranteed success. These guys grow fast, produce a ton, and keep going all summer long.
Even better? Cherry tomatoes don’t care if you forget about them for a few days. They’ll just keep pumping out more tiny, delicious tomatoes like an overenthusiastic garden intern. They’re perfect for salads, snacking, and impressing people when you casually mention that you grow your own food.
They are also an awesome option if you travel a lot since they don’t mind up to about 5 days of neglect!! Oh and my secret to longer trips? These terracotta watering spikes! Use them and an empty bottle of wine to extend the watering window for your garden!
7: Leafy Greens (Lettuce, Spinach, and Kale)
If you want something quick, easy, and endlessly useful, grow some leafy greens. Lettuce, spinach and kale don’t need much space plus they grow fast. You can harvest just what you need and let the plant keep growing, which means fresh salads for months.
They’re also perfect for small gardens or container gardening. Just a little water and some partial sun, and they’ll be happily sprouting up fresh greens for your sandwiches and smoothies.
Here is the smallest containers I’ve grown leafy greens in!
8: Garlic
Garlic is loved in the homestead world because they are sooo easy! You plant it in the fall, ignore it all winter, and then come summer, you pull up big, beautiful garlic bulbs like you knew what you were doing all along.
It doesn’t require much watering, it repels pests, and you’ll never have to buy garlic at the store again. Plus, nothing feels more satisfying than using homegrown garlic in your cooking I am serious guys it’s like a secret ingredient with bragging rights.
Talk Plant To Me
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