Spring is the perfect time to roll up those sleeves and start planting, especially when it means enjoying a bountiful harvest later on. There’s something so rewarding about watching your garden come to life with crops that are easy to grow and care for.
From crisp lettuce to juicy tomatoes, these 30 crops are a great way to get your hands dirty and your garden flourishing. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert gardener to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce.
Grab your gardening gloves and let’s make this spring your most fruitful one yet!
1. Lettuce
Nothing beats the satisfaction of stepping outside and snipping fresh, crisp leaves for a salad. Lettuce grows fast, making it one of the easiest crops to keep on hand all season long.
Keep it happy with cool weather, partial shade, and plenty of water. Snip the outer leaves, and this leafy beauty will keep producing like a champ.
2. Spinach
If there’s one green that deserves a permanent spot in the garden, it’s this nutrient-packed powerhouse. Spinach thrives in spring’s cooler temperatures, giving you a steady supply of tender, flavorful leaves.
A little compost goes a long way, so work some into the soil before planting. Water regularly, and don’t let it bolt—harvest often to keep those greens coming!
3. Kale
Who knew a vegetable could make you feel like a gardening pro with almost zero effort? Kale is one of the hardiest greens out there, shrugging off chilly nights like it’s no big deal.
Give it plenty of sun, and it’ll reward you with nonstop leafy goodness. Pluck leaves from the bottom, and this plant will keep growing like it’s got something to prove.
4. Arugula
Spice up salads with a green that brings a little kick to the party. Arugula is a speedy grower, popping up in just a few weeks and ready to add some peppery goodness to your plate.
Keep it happy with regular watering and a bit of shade during hot afternoons. Pick leaves young for the best flavor, or let them grow wild if you like a stronger bite.
5. Swiss Chard
Bright, bold, and practically unkillable—this leafy green brings a pop of color to both the garden and the plate. Swiss chard grows fast and doesn’t mind a little neglect, making it perfect for busy gardeners.
Give it rich soil, and it’ll keep pumping out fresh leaves for months. Snip outer leaves, and watch as new ones take their place like magic.
6. Radishes
If instant gratification had a vegetable, this would be it. Radishes sprout in just a few days and are ready to harvest in under a month, making them perfect for impatient gardeners.
Keep the soil loose and well-watered to avoid tough or misshapen roots. Harvest early for a crisp, mild bite or leave them a bit longer for extra spice.
7. Carrots
There’s something oddly satisfying about pulling up a homegrown carrot and seeing how big (or weirdly shaped) it turned out.
These crunchy delights love loose, sandy soil where they can stretch their roots with ease. Thin the seedlings early so they have room to grow, even if it feels brutal to pluck out baby plants. Keep the soil moist, and in a couple of months, you’ll be crunching on the sweetest carrots ever.
8. Beets
Love them or hate them, these earthy gems are garden superstars. Beets grow quickly, tolerate cooler weather, and give you both tasty roots and vitamin-packed greens.
Plant them in loose soil and keep them well-watered for the best results. Harvest when they’re the size of a golf ball for sweet, tender beets—bigger ones can get a bit woody.
9. Turnips
An underdog in the root veggie world, these little guys deserve way more love. Turnips grow fast and can be harvested young for tender, sweet flavor or left to mature for a heartier bite.
Loose soil is key, and a steady drink of water keeps them from turning bitter. Don’t forget the greens—they’re just as delicious as the roots!
10. Green Onions
Talk about low maintenance—this crop practically takes care of itself. Green onions grow fast, need very little space, and can be snipped as needed for a fresh flavor boost in meals.
Keep them in full sun with regular watering, and they’ll keep growing back like they own the place. Snip the tops, leave the roots, and watch the magic happen again and again.
11. Peas
Few things feel as nostalgic as picking fresh peas straight from the vine and popping them right into your mouth. These little green gems love cool weather and reward you with sweet, crunchy pods in just a few weeks.
Give them something to climb, like a trellis or fence, and they’ll happily stretch toward the sky. Keep them well-watered, and don’t wait too long to harvest—young peas are the sweetest!
12. Bush Beans
No garden? No problem. Bush beans thrive in containers, raised beds, or right in the ground, making them a foolproof pick for any space.
They don’t need fancy care—just plenty of sunlight, well-draining soil, and a little patience. Pick them often, and the plants will keep churning out more beans like an overachiever in a veggie contest.
13. Zucchini
If there’s a vegetable that thrives on neglect and still overproduces, it’s this garden classic. Zucchini grows fast, takes up space like it owns the place, and rewards you with more squash than you’ll know what to do with.
Give it rich soil, full sun, and plenty of room to sprawl. Harvest young for tender, flavorful zucchinis—wait too long, and you’ll have baseball bat-sized monsters!
14. Cucumbers
Nothing says summer like the crisp crunch of a homegrown cucumber. These refreshing veggies are fast growers, especially when given a trellis to climb.
Keep them well-watered and pick them young for the best flavor. Let one get too big, and you might as well call it a watermelon wannabe!
15. Cherry Tomatoes
If you want a crop that never stops giving, this is it. Cherry tomatoes grow like crazy, producing sweet, snackable bites that disappear faster than you can pick them.
Give them lots of sun, a sturdy cage or stake, and regular watering. The more you pick, the more they’ll produce—so grab a handful every time you walk by!
16. Bell Peppers
These colorful beauties bring serious personality to the garden. Bell peppers take their time to grow, but once they get going, you’ll have a rainbow of crisp, sweet fruits to enjoy.
They love warmth, so plant them in full sun and keep the soil moist. Pick them green for a milder taste or wait for them to turn red, yellow, or orange for extra sweetness.
17. Eggplant
This glossy, deep-purple veggie is way easier to grow than it looks. Eggplants love heat and sunshine, thriving in warm soil with a good dose of compost.
Keep them watered and give them some support as they grow heavier. Pick them while the skin is shiny for the best texture—wait too long, and they can turn bitter!
18. Potatoes
Nothing feels more like a garden treasure hunt than digging up fresh potatoes. These underground gems are easy to grow, needing only loose soil and a little patience.
Cover the plants with soil as they grow taller to encourage more spuds. When the leaves start to yellow, it’s time to start digging—who knows how many potatoes are hiding below!
19. Sweet Corn
Plant it, water it, and then wait for the magic to happen. Sweet corn grows tall, fast, and makes a bold statement in any garden.
Give it plenty of sun, plant in blocks (not rows) for better pollination, and don’t forget to water deeply. When the silks turn brown, it’s time to pull an ear and check—fresh corn is sweeter than anything from the store!
20. Strawberries
Few things feel more indulgent than biting into a sun-warmed, homegrown strawberry. These little red gems spread like crazy, rewarding you with sweet, juicy berries year after year.
Give them plenty of sun, mulch to keep the berries clean, and a little patience. The first year, they focus on growing, but after that—it’s berry heaven!
21. Basil
A garden without basil is like pizza without cheese—something just feels off. This fragrant herb grows quickly and loves warm, sunny spots.
Keep it from flowering by pinching the tops, and it’ll keep producing flavorful leaves all season. Snip what you need, and basil will bounce right back like it never missed a beat.
22. Cilantro
Love it or hate it, this herb grows fast and doesn’t ask for much. Cilantro thrives in cooler weather, so plant it early in the season for the best results.
Keep it well-watered, and harvest frequently before it bolts. If it does go to seed, don’t worry—those seeds (coriander) are just as useful in the kitchen!
23. Parsley
This humble herb is the quiet MVP of the garden. Parsley grows well in pots or beds and keeps coming back if you harvest it right.
Keep the soil moist and snip the outer stems to encourage fresh growth. Bonus: Swallowtail butterflies love parsley, so don’t be surprised if some caterpillars move in!
24. Dill
Light, feathery, and full of flavor—this herb practically plants itself. Dill grows fast and is happiest in full sun with well-drained soil.
Pick leaves often for the best taste, or let it flower and collect the seeds for homemade pickles. Once it gets going, it’ll likely reseed itself and pop up again next year!
25. Mint
Plant this herb once, and you’ll have mint for life (whether you like it or not). Mint spreads like wildfire, so keep it in a pot unless you want a full-blown mint invasion.
Give it partial shade and regular watering for the best flavor. Snip the leaves often, and your garden will always smell refreshingly minty!
26. Chives
If low-maintenance had a mascot, it would be chives. These onion-flavored greens grow back year after year, needing little more than sun and occasional watering.
Snip what you need, and they’ll keep producing fresh, mild oniony goodness. Let some flowers bloom for a bonus—pollinators love them!
27. Sunflowers
Nothing adds cheer to a garden like these towering beauties. Sunflowers grow fast, follow the sun, and provide seeds for both humans and birds.
Plant them in full sun with well-drained soil, and they’ll reward you with big, bright blooms. The best part? Watching the heads droop as the seeds ripen—it’s like nature’s way of nodding in approval.
28. Marigolds
Not just a pretty face, these fiery flowers are garden superheroes. Marigolds repel pests, attract pollinators, and thrive with almost no effort.
Give them full sun, and they’ll bloom non-stop all season. Plant them near veggies for a natural bug barrier that also looks stunning!
29. Nasturtiums
Edible flowers that double as pest control? Yes, please! Nasturtiums grow like crazy, adding a pop of color while keeping pests away from veggies.
They love poor soil and don’t need much water, making them perfect for low-maintenance gardens. The leaves and flowers are peppery and delicious in salads—bonus points for beauty and flavor!
30. Calendula
Bright, cheerful, and packed with skin-soothing benefits, this flower is a must-have. Calendula blooms for months, bringing in pollinators and adding a touch of sunshine to any garden.
Keep it deadheaded for more flowers, and dry the petals for homemade herbal remedies. This plant just keeps giving, and it looks gorgeous while doing it!