The Vegetable Garden: How To Grow Vegetables

Beets are grown as an annual, found all over the world and were probably first domesticated in the Mediterranean region. Beets can be planted throughout the spring and summer for harvest well into late fall. They can be grown year round in some regions, will tolerate...

Broccoli is an annual that grows best in cool weather (60° F). Growing broccoli can be done in the spring and in the fall, but it does not bloom well in hot weather. Romanesco varieties make nice additions to landscaping arrangements. Broccoli is very high in Vitamin...

Brussels sprouts look like little heads of cabbage, but are actually the equivalent of buds that grow in between the leaves and the stem. Some varieties of Brussels sprouts can grow to three feet in height and produce sprouts that are almost two inches in diameter....

Cabbage is the most well-known and one of the most versatile members of the cole family. It is used in cuisines around the world and is also known for its medicinal properties in some cultures. It is easy to grow and prolific, generating a large yield with a small...

Carrots are the domestic, or garden, version of Queen Ann’s Lace, the "wild carrot." Growing carrots can be a fun, great addition to your vegetable garden. The root that is eaten as a vegetable is produced during the first growing season. Carrots are hardy and do well...

The most unpredictable vegetable in the cole family, cauliflower thrives under moderate temperature and moisture conditions. In addition to the traditional white, cauliflower also comes in purple, orange and yellow-green colored varieties. Growing cauliflower adds a...

Growing celery is difficult on a small scale or in the home garden, as far as vegetables grow. Celery requires time and care to grow and is not a good choice for a low maintenance garden, but if you are determined you can do it. Celery is generally grown for the...

Chinese cabbage is a leafy vegetable that grows well in cool temperatures. It does best when planted as a fall crop. Napa cabbage and Bok Choy are two names often used for Chinese cabbage. The cabbages grown today are essentially the same varieties grown as early as...

Collards are a cooler season vegetable green known for having a rich vitamin and mineral content. Eating and growing collards is popular in the southern United States, where it is a staple vegetable, but can be grown successfully elsewhere too. Although collards are...

Green beans are a tender vegetable grown in warmer weather. Green beans can be either bush beans or pole beans. Bush beans support themselves and do not need staking. They are low maintenance and generally produce less beans than pole bean plants. Pole beans require...

Horseradish is a perennial and was named '2011 Herb of the Year' by the International Herb Association. People who love the kick of this interesting root may want to consider growing horseradish in their own garden. Horseradish roots are ground and used to make...

Kale leaves are most often eaten raw, cooked, steamed, or fried. Growing kale can be done year round in many locations. It will tolerate frost and snow. It comes in a variety of colors and is used as an ornamental plant as well as a vegetable. It can be planted in...

Kohlrabi is a cole crop, like cabbage, and has a flavor similar to turnips and rutabagas. Kohlrabi does well on its own and as a companion plant mixed in with other crops. It is suitable for vegetable gardening and for landscape arrangements. Growing kohlrabi is an...

Leeks are a less widely known part of the onion family and can be grown in most regions of the United States. Leeks have a flavor similar to mild onions. They are most often used in soups, but are used in many dishes where a hint of onion flavor is desired. Although...

The easiest kind of lettuce to grow is leaf lettuce. It can be grown outdoors from early spring to late fall. Leaf lettuces can also be grown in containers both indoors and out. They will also grow in cold temperatures if protected by a cold frame. Growing lettuce...

While it is commonly grown in the southern United States, okra can be successfully grown across the United States. Okra belongs to the Malvaceae family, which includes cotton, hollyhock, and hibiscus, as well as many other flowering plants. Okra itself flowers with...

Onions are a cool season vegetable that can be grown in most soils in the United States. Onions produce best in a well-drained sandy loam or loam soil. Onions belong to the lily family. They are close relatives of other Allium family members such as garlic, leeks, and...

The parsnip is a root vegetable and is related to the carrot. Parsnips look similar to carrots, but are generally paler and sweeter tasting, especially after cooking. They have a buttery and spicy taste that is released during cooking. They can be mashed like potatoes...

Peppers are a summer vegetable. Pepper varieties come in various bright and rich colors and many sweet pepper varieties are becoming more popular. Many garden peppers, such as cayenne, tabasco, pimiento, paprika and chili are grown for food and for spices. Peppers are...

Potatoes are a cool season vegetable and are one of the most widely grown and historically significant 'staple' crops to humans. Potatoes are often referred to as a root vegetable but are actually tubers. Successfully growing potatoes requires several steps and...

Pumpkins are a warm season vegetable that can be grown across most of the United States. In addition to their most well know function, serving as Halloween jack-o'-lanterns, growing pumpkins is also great for making pies, baby food, quick bread, cookies and soup....

Spinach is a cool season crop, and the sight of it thriving in the garden patch is one of the earliest signs of true spring. Spinach plants can be grown for harvest in the spring and fall. The curlier the leaf, the more likely it is to catch soil during a rainfall,...

Summer squash is a mild, warmer season vegetable, that is grown throughout the United States. Summer squash is different from later season squashes due to summer squash being harvested when the 'skin' is soft. Fall and winter squash are harvested when the rind has...

Sweet corn is a warm season vegetable, easily grown in any garden patch that receives enough light, has good soil and provides enough room for the corn to grow. Continuous plantings can yield consistent harvests from July until first frost. One reason growing sweet...

Peas are one of the sweetest and most traditional plants in home gardens and on family farms. Growing peas can be started after the last frost, and will produce a high yield if grown in well drained soil that is rich in lime or enriched with wood ash. Harvest peas...

Sweet potatoes are a root vegetable that require a long warm season to grow. Sweet potatoes are sometimes referred to as yams in the Unites States, but are actually a different vegetable. They are best known in the United States as a traditional food for winter...

Swiss chard is one of the leafy green vegetables often referred to as 'greens.' Some other popular greens are kale, collards and mustard. Chard grows on thick stalks and the leaves come in a wide variety of colors. The leaves and leafstalks are edible and nutritious....

Tomatoes are the most commonly grown garden plant in the United States. Growing tomatoes is not a difficult task, and several plants can yield enough tomatoes for juice, fresh eating, and canning. The flavor of fresh picked tomatoes is much better than tomatoes...

Turnips have been a food staple for humans since hunters and gatherers started harvesting food. They are similar to rutabagas and parsnips, but sweeter than parsnips and hardier than rutabagas. Growing turnips is easy, so long as they are planted at the appropriate...