15 Super Vegetables Every Gardener Should Grow
Whether aiming to boost your diet or enjoy the freshness and flavor of homegrown produce, these vegetables offer a range of benefits, from essential nutrients to disease-fighting antioxidants. We’ll explore a variety of veggies known for their health benefits and give you the tips you need to grow them successfully. From leafy greens like kale and spinach to robust vegetables like broccoli and carrots, transform your garden into a powerhouse of nutrition.
Sweet Potatoes
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Sweet potatoes are a nutritious addition to any garden, packed with vitamin A, fiber, vitamin C, and B vitamins. They require a warm climate and thrive best in temperatures between 75 to 85°F, in well-drained, sandy soil. Typically grown from slips, which are sprouts from a mature sweet potato, they should be planted about a month after the last frost when the soil is warm.
Plant slips about 12 to 18 inches apart in rows that are spaced 3 to 4 feet apart to give them room to spread. Sweet potatoes need consistent moisture to establish but become relatively drought-tolerant as they mature. Avoid overwatering to prevent diseases.
Harvest sweet potatoes just before the first frost when the foliage begins to yellow. Gently dig them up to avoid bruising, and cure them in a warm, humid place for about 10 days to enhance their flavor and storage life. Sweet potatoes offer a delightful taste and significant health benefits, making them a valuable crop for home gardeners.
Onions
Onions are high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. They can be grown from seeds, sets, or transplants in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Before planting, it’s ideal to enrich the soil with compost or manure.
Onions should be planted in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. They require a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Space the bulbs or seeds about an inch deep and four to six inches apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart to ensure good air circulation and reduce disease risk.
Due to their shallow root system, onions need regular watering, especially during dry spells, but avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Harvest onions in late summer when the tops begin to yellow and fall over, then cure them in a dry, shaded area for a few weeks to prepare for storage.
Brussels Sprouts
These are high in fiber, vitamins C and K, and contain antioxidants that can reduce cancer risk. They grow best in cooler climates and take longer to mature than many other vegetables. These plants flourish in cooler climates and are often sweeter after a light frost. For optimal growth, Brussels sprouts need well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic matter and a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
They can be planted in early spring for a midsummer harvest or in mid to late summer for a fall or early winter harvest. Brussels sprouts require at least six hours of sunlight daily but benefit from some shade in hotter climates to prevent overheating. Space seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart to ensure good growth and air circulation, which helps prevent disease.
Peas
Peas are a delightful addition to any garden, valued for their sweet flavor and ease of growth. They are packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins A, C, and K. Peas thrive in cooler temperatures and can be one of the first vegetables planted in early spring, as they handle frost well.
For optimal growth, peas require well-drained soil and a moderate amount of fertility. Avoid soil that is too rich in nitrogen as it can promote more foliage than pods. They prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Planting should occur as soon as the soil can be worked, with seeds sown about 1 to 2 inches deep and spaced about 2 to 3 inches apart. Peas need full sun to partial shade and should be provided with support, such as trellises or stakes, as most varieties tend to climb.
Regular watering is important to keep the soil evenly moist, especially once the plants start flowering and developing pods. However, like many legumes, peas are somewhat drought-tolerant once established.
Swiss Chard
Known for its rich content of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as magnesium and iron, Swiss chard can be a healthful addition to any meal.
This hardy vegetable can be planted early in the spring as it tolerates frost, making it ideal for extending the growing season. Swiss chard prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 and benefits from being enriched with organic matter before planting. Seeds should be sown directly into the ground, about half an inch deep and 6 to 12 inches apart, as Swiss chard needs space to develop its broad leaves.
Recipe: Blitva | Croatian Chard & Potato Side Dish
Kale
Extremely high in vitamins A, C, and K, kale also boasts antioxidants such as quercetin and kaempferol. It thrives in cool temperatures and can even improve in flavor after a frost.
Related: 11 Insider Tips For a Bountiful Kale Harvest
Spinach
This leafy green is a great source of iron, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and K. Spinach grows best in cool weather and can be harvested as young leaves for salads or allowed to mature.
Related: 12 Key Tips to Cultivating Loads of Healthy Spinach
Broccoli
Known for its high levels of fiber and vitamin C, broccoli also contains sulforaphane, a compound with potent anti-cancer properties. It prefers cooler temperatures and needs consistent moisture to develop heads.
Related: 12 Growing Techniques For a Bountiful Broccoli Harvest
Garlic
Known to support cardiovascular health, garlic is rich in manganese, vitamins B6 and C, and has antimicrobial properties. It prefers well-drained, fertile soil and cooler temperatures.
Related: All You Need to Know About Planting Garlic In Fall
Carrots
Rich in beta-carotene, fiber, and antioxidants, carrots are a versatile root vegetable that grows best in sandy, well-drained soil. They need plenty of sunlight but can tolerate frost.
Related: 15 Carrot Growing Secrets For Your Best Harvest Ever
Beets
A good source of fiber, folate, and manganese, beets can be harvested for both their roots and greens. They prefer to grow in cooler temperatures and require well-drained soil.
Related: 15 Proven Tips For a Bountiful Beet Harvest
Tomatoes
High in vitamins C and K, tomatoes are famous for their lycopene content, an antioxidant that helps fight several diseases. They require warm temperatures and plenty of sunlight.
Related: 15 Secrets To Growing Killer Tomatoes This Season
Bell Peppers
A colorful addition to any garden, bell peppers are rich in vitamin C and various antioxidants. They enjoy warm weather and grow best in well-drained, fertile soil.
Related: 15 Secrets & Strategies For Your Best Pepper Harvest Yet
Cucumbers
High in vitamin K and very hydrating due to their high water content, cucumbers need warm, sunny conditions and regular watering to thrive.
Related: How To Grow Cucumbers In Raised Beds {Complete Guide}
Leafy Greens (Lettuce, Arugula)
Excellent sources of vitamins A and C, these greens grow quickly in cool weather and can be harvested multiple times per season.
Related: Effortlessly Grow an Endless Salad Garden All Season Long
Purple Fruits & Veggies to Grow & Eat
Packed with antioxidants!
Learn More: Elevate Your Diet: 16 Antioxidant-Packed Purple Veggies to Enjoy & Grow
