You have decided you want to garden, but you feel like you have a black thumb. Fear not these 11 easy plants to grow can help you be a successful gardener.
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The following plants are ones that can provide lots of variety in a garden space. Whether your garden must be all in pots on a small balcony or in the ground variety is key for successful gardening.
I feel that marigolds are a must no matter what you gardening level is.
Marigolds are good to plant in almost every garden space. With around 50 varieties you can get many colors. They will repel many insects including mosquitoes. They are also beneficial in the soil deterring nematodes that can affect other plants in your garden. The large variety will self-seed. When a flower head wilts it is full of seeds. These seeds can then be planted in your soil for new plants. Also, if you pinch off the wilted flower heads it will encourage the plant to get bushier with more blooms.
Easy Herbs
There are a lot of herbs that do well in pots. The following 5 herbs are the common ones most people use. These also do well in a variety of settings.
Basil comes in many varieties. One of the more commonly known is Genovese, this is the variety used in many Italian type recipes for things like pesto. With somewhere near 150 varieties you can find just about anything. This includes unique flavors such as chocolate and lemon to name a few. Basil is robust, but you must wait until your temperatures stay over 50° F overnight before it can be outside. It also does not like the soil to dry out completely.
Dill is a hearty herb. It is commonly known for pickling. I enjoy using it to brighten up fish dishes. It is also delicious in the summer with fresh cucumbers. If you have it outdoors it can attract beneficial insects. It does self-seed if you let it. This is nice because each spring you will have new plants without the work.
Parsley can be a good substitute if basil gave you issues. Parsley is a great substitute for pesto recipes. Now I will say living in Florida parsley may give me false pretenses on how hardy it is. I have successfully grown it in other states, but I have had a garden the longest in Florida. Parsley is hearty and can survive situations where basil may not. By allowing it to go to seed and die back I have had a successful harvest for several years without much work outside. It is a slower plant to start, but once it gets going, I have had it for a long time.
Rosemary is such a lovely herb. In some countries it is used to create hedges along property lines. Brushing up against rosemary so it can release its unique scent can help control pesky bugs in your yard. If you have it in a pot bring it in during the winter and use it as a Christmas tree. It is cold hearty to about 20° F and prefers cooler weather. I know mine seems to have major growth spurts when we average about 70° F as a high.
Sage is an herb most people associate with Thanksgiving or sausage. This hearty herb has a wide variety of benefits. It can be used to improve memory or decreases sweating in menopause. (Alchemy of Herbs pg., 160-163) Like rosemary it can be used as a border around gardens or homes. It is a bit heartier than rosemary tolerating colder temperatures.
All these herbs can easily be grown in a pot indoors or outdoors. Trying out these herbs will give you a variety to try throughout the year.
Easy Vegetables & Fruits
Now let’s look at some vegetables and fruits.
Beans can do well in pots or in ground. There are a large variety of beans available to choose from. A traditional green bean is one I started with while living in an apartment and only having a small balcony. A medium size pot and some sort of trellis for the plant to climb is all you need.
Strawberries can do well in a pot. Use a medium size pot and keep the soil moist. Keep them in a sunny part of a patio or garden. Trim any runners to ensure that the main plant is getting all the growing energy.
Tomatoes are easier than you think. There are many varieties for any size space. A cherry or Roma tomato can provide you a large harvest from a medium pot.
Lettuces can be fun. Plant several varieties in one pot. This will allow you to have a create salad for every meal. Once ready you simply harvest the outer leaves and it will continue to grow for several months.
Radishes are a great root vegetable that does well in a pot. At least for me. Radishes are the exception I have found. The pot needs to have a wide opening at the top and some depth for radishes to do well. I also like recommending them because most varieties will be ready to harvest in 30ish days. Due to this short growth time it helps new gardeners feel successful.
If you are struggling with what your plants may need check out my article about How to Have a Successful Garden. I also will refer to the Almanac site when I get stuck understanding a plants needs.
Try out a few of these plants. Once you feel comfortable you can add one or two to your garden. Please share your garden success in the comments so we can grow a healthy garden together.
