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I am a beginner vegetable gardener. Which seeds grow the fastest? Thanks!
By Trudy from in the woods, PA
urbanext.illinois.edu/
Radishes harvest very fast. Many are ready to harvest in less than a month. There are many, many different kinds of radishes, too. Some are all white, some are red in the middle and green on the outside, very pretty. There are even black radishes. They have different flavors. And you can eat the greens. Radish leaves taste pretty much like the radish, and are really good in a salad.
Leaf lettuces grow quickly, and there are hundreds of varieties. You can harvest a beautiful salad in a few weeks.
urbanext.illinois.edu/
Growing your own veggies is very fulfilling, and not as hard as you might think. I hope you are very successful, and that you really enjoy yourself. Good luck!
I agree, radishes and lettuce are great choices. You can plant fast-growing crops every couple of weeks to give you a steady supply during the season. If you choose loose leaf or "cut and come again" varieties of lettuce you can snip off leaves as you want them, leaving the plant to grow more. Another option would be early peas, baby carrots, or some varieties of beetroot.
For vegetables that take longer to start from seed, like tomatoes, you can buy them as plants in your local garden center. Have fun!
Once again this year I purchased my vegetable seed packets to start inside. Other years I started them with special starting soil, placed them in a sunny window and kept them watered. I always end up with spindly plants with weak stems. How do I get stronger plants?
Hardiness Zone: 6a
By MaggieGrace from PA
Is there a chance you're falling victim to "damping off"? It's where otherwise healthy seedlings suddenly become weak and die. It's caused by a fungus that attacks the plants. I've had this happen myself.
Over-damp soil and lack of airflow can lead to the problem. Try not to water the foliage when watering, and keep covers ventilated if you're using them. Making sure your seedlings are properly thinned out can help too. There are home-made sprays that use chamomile tea or hydrogen peroxide to help prevent the fungus, if you wanted to search for them. I've read a sprinking of cinnamon powder on the soil can work too. Good luck with your gardening!
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