It’s finally gardening season! If you’ve been itching to get your hands in the soil, now is the perfect time to plant vegetables that grow quickly and reward you with delicious, garden-fresh food by summer. From crunchy cucumbers to sweet beets, growing your own veggies is a fun way to spend time outdoors, save money, and enjoy the freshest food possible. Here are seven vegetables that grow fast and are ready to harvest in time for summer meals.
1. Cabbage: Crisp and Cool Garden Favorite
Cabbage is a great veggie to plant in spring, especially if you’re dreaming of summer slaws or salads. Most types of cabbage take between 60 and 100 days to grow, so now’s a great time to sow seeds. Lotte Berendsen, a gardening expert from the PlantIn app, recommends planting cabbage where it will get at least 6 hours of sun a day. She says it’s very important to water it regularly—dry spells can make the leaves small and bitter.
One great thing about cabbage is that it can also grow well into fall. So even if you get a late start, you can still enjoy this cold-hardy plant later in the season.
- Sun Needs: Full sun
- USDA Zones: 2–11
2. Carrots: Crunchy and Quick to Grow
Carrots are another fun and easy veggie to grow. They’re ready to pick in about 60 to 80 days, and if you’re growing baby carrots, you can harvest them in just 4 to 6 weeks. Berendsen says carrots are simple to care for but need the right soil. Soil that’s too hard or rocky can keep carrots from growing straight and long.
Make sure to water your carrots about once a week to keep the soil damp. Fresh garden carrots taste sweeter and better than store-bought ones—and they’re extra fun to pull out of the ground!
- Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade
- USDA Zones: 2–11
3. Cucumbers: A Summer Must-Have
Cucumbers are one of the easiest and fastest veggies to grow, and they’re perfect for summer gardens. Depending on the variety, cucumbers are ready to pick in about 50 to 70 days. “They’re a staple in summer gardens,” Berendsen says. “They’re useful in the kitchen and easier to grow than people think.”
She recommends giving your cucumbers something to climb, like a trellis, which helps them grow stronger and soak up more sunshine. Keep the soil moist but don’t water the leaves. Wet leaves can attract a common garden fungus called powdery mildew.
- Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade
- USDA Zones: 2–11
4. Peas: Easy and Sweet for Beginners
Peas are perfect if you’re new to gardening. Most types are ready in about 50 to 70 days. Berendsen says peas are simple to grow and full of nutrition. They’re also super tasty right off the vine!
Once they start growing, peas don’t need a lot of water—rain is often enough. Just make sure they’re planted in a sunny spot. For a steady supply of peas all summer long, plant new seeds every two weeks.
- Sun Needs: Full sun (light shade is okay in hot places)
- USDA Zones: 3–11
5. Beets: Sweet Roots with Colorful Leaves
Beets are colorful, fast-growing root vegetables that add beauty and flavor to your garden. Their leaves can be green, red, or purple, and they grow quickly—usually in 50 to 70 days. “Even if you don’t like beets, try growing them yourself,” says Berendsen. “They’re sweet, juicy, and packed with health benefits.”
Beets are beginner-friendly and grow in most soil types. You can even grow them in pots, which makes them great for balcony or patio gardens.
- Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade
- USDA Zones: 2–10
6. Eggplant: Heat-Loving and Full of Flavor
Eggplants like it warm, so they’re perfect to plant now. They do best in hot, sunny spots and also grow well in greenhouses. Starting with young eggplant plants can help speed up the process, and you’ll have fruits ready to pick in 65 to 80 days.
“Eggplants need warm soil, plenty of sunshine, and a little extra care,” says Berendsen. Keep the soil moist and consider misting the plant to keep the humidity high. Feed the plant often with a potassium-rich fertilizer to help it grow strong.
- Sun Needs: Full sun
- USDA Zones: 5–12
7. Spinach: Leafy Green Goodness
Spinach is one of the quickest and easiest leafy greens you can grow. It matures in just 45 to 50 days. You can grow spinach in pots or garden beds, indoors or outside. And since it’s a “cut-and-come-again” crop, you can harvest leaves regularly while the plant keeps growing more.
Spinach doesn’t like hot, dry weather, so it’s best to plant it where it gets some afternoon shade. Keep the soil moist but the leaves dry to avoid mildew.
“Spinach is one of the healthiest vegetables out there,” Berendsen says. “It’s definitely worth growing this season.”
- Sun Needs: Full sun to light shade
- USDA Zones: 2–11
Time to Get Growing!
These seven fast-growing veggies are perfect for spring planting and will keep your garden vibrant and tasty all summer long. Whether you’re new to gardening or already a green-thumbed pro, adding these crops to your garden will bring color, flavor, and joy to your outdoor space. Happy planting! 🌱
