Get a Homegrown Harvest Fast with these Veggies

Radishes are truly speed demons, ready to harvest in as little as 3 weeks. Plant radish seeds in spring and fall, as they prefer cooler weather conditions and don’t do well in summer’s heat. Most of us are familiar with red, round radishes, but you’ll also find green, white, pink, purple and yellow radish types, as well as some shaped like carrots.

Lettuce can be harvested in as little as 4 weeks, though some varieties need closer to 8 weeks. You’ll find almost endless varieties to choose from. Lettuce is also a cool-weather crop, best planted in fall or early spring.

Bok choy is ready to harvest about 45 days after planting. This stir-fry staple grows best in cool temperatures, and you can check with your local extension office to determine whether spring or fall is the best time to plant in your area. You’ll know they’re ready to harvest when the plants are about a foot tall.

Grow your own baby carrots in as few as 5 weeks. Look for seeds specifically marked “baby” and plant them in early spring once soil temperatures have warmed to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cucumbers can be plucked from the vine in 7 to 8 weeks. Cucumber seeds like warm soil and warm air, so plant them sometime in spring, depending on where you live. This plant likes to climb, so plant your seeds next to a trellis or other structure they can climb up.

Not only are snow peas terrific in stir fries, they’re also a fantastic healthy snack. Plant during late winter or early spring and you can be munching on them in about 8 weeks. Give them a trellis to climb, and you’ll be rewarded with a plentiful and delicious harvest.