Growing your own vegetables is extremely rewarding, even for beginners with limited space. Focus on a few easy-to-grow crops suited for small backyards or balconies. With proper care and attention, you’ll be harvesting delicious homegrown produce this season.
1. Tomatoes
What do all the best vegetable gardens in Lincolnwood, IL have in common? They all have vibrant tomato plants. These sweet red summer treats practically burst with flavor when vine-ripened. Tomato plants need at least 6 hours of sunshine daily and nutrient-rich soil. Cage or stake plants so fruits don’t touch the ground. With consistent moisture and care, you’ll soon enjoy fresh tomatoes perfect for eating, sauce-making and canning.
2. Lettuce
Crisp lettuces lend welcome crunch to salads and sandwiches. Looseleaf and butterhead varieties grow quickly and tolerate some shade, making them great starter plants. Either sow seeds directly outdoors or start them inside 4-6 weeks before your last spring frost date. Lettuce prefers cool weather, so target an early spring or fall harvest.
3. Bell Peppers
Available in a rainbow of colors, bell peppers are nutritious and beautiful. Wait until after the last frost risk has passed before transplanting seedlings outside. Peppers need a sunny spot and consistently warm temperatures. Use cages to support heavy yields.
4. Bush Cucumbers
On hot summer days, nothing beats a crisp, garden-fresh cucumber! Bush varieties take up less space by growing in compact mounds versus sprawling vines. Cucumbers require full sun and even moisture to thrive. Harvest daily once fruits start developing to encourage more production.
5. Carrots
Homegrown carrots have unbeatable sweet flavor and crunch. Prepare raised beds with loose, rock-free soil so the roots can expand. Sow seeds directly outside 2-4 weeks before your area’s final spring frost. Thin seedlings to 2 inches apart and wait patiently for 70-80 days. Your patience will be rewarded with the first tasty, crunchy bite!