Don’t have much time to fuss? Sometimes we want a garden. You love the idea of green food or organic vegetables from the yard, but don’t have the time to be out there every day, checking, watering, weeding. With work, kids, life, we don’t all have that sort of extra time. Or maybe you don’t care for the idea of yard work. That’s ok! You’re not alone by any means.
Do what you can, when you can, and plant some low-maintenance vegetables. The list below is complete. It’s a list of the more common and valuable items you can easily find at your low store and grow from seed or starter.
These are great for the beginner gardener as well, since they are more tolerant of being ignored while you learn and grow yourself.
Check out this list of Low-Maintenance Herbs
Okra
Okra is by far the easiest on this list. It is heat and drought-resistant, so if you’re in a warmer climate, this may be your plant! This is one of the easier things to grow from seed and to keep alive all season. Just harvest before they get too big. Bigger okra gets very chewy, and the texture is all wrong.
Beans
Beans, whether green or black, are great low-maintenance veggies. You can do a pole or a bush variety, depending on your yard space. I prefer pole beans as they have a smaller footprint in the bed. I make bamboo teepees for them to grow on and just let them go crazy! Be sure to water consistently, but daily isn’t necessary.
Gourds, Zucchini & Squash
These are super easy to grow from seed and can go nuts! They have large leaves that really help prevent weeds and retain moisture in the soil. There are so many things you can do with zucchini, especially. It’s vitamin-packed, can be diced and added to all sorts of things, and will take on the flavor of what you cook it with—pasta, chili, sauces, etc.
Root Veggies
This includes onions, carrots, and potatoes. Given that bugs get to the tops, the lower roots are typically still good to go. Just needs to be watered heavily—root veggies like water.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers grow easily from seeds and need only a lattice or trellis to grow up. They may need help every few days to ensure the vines are going where you want them to. Water consistently, but daily isn’t necessary.
Lettuce & Spinach
I lump these together because they require the same care and spacing in your garden. Black-Seeded Simpson and Green Leaf lettuce, Manoa and Little Gem romaine & most spinach varieties are examples of lower-maintenance greens. The listed varieties are a bit more pest-resistant and can be harvested a bit at a time.
There you have it!
Anything catch your attention and pique your interest? Pick a couple (or all, I’m not judging) and try them out. You will not be disappointed with your low-maintenance, edible garden.
Check out this list of Low-Maintenance Herbs
Until Next Time!
PJtxGirl
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