Growing your own vegetables is a rewarding experience that provides fresh, nutritious produce right from your garden.
For those with limited time or space, fast-growing vegetables offer an excellent solution. These crops can be harvested in just 30 days, making them perfect for impatient gardeners or those in need of a quick supply of fresh greens and vegetables. If you’re interested in starting a container garden, fast-growing veggies are an ideal choice.
In this article we unpack radishes, green onions, lettuce, spinach, arugula, mustard greens, kale, beet greens, turnip greens, and herbs like cilantro and parsley gardeners can quickly harvest in just 30 days, providing a fast source of fresh produce.
Table of Contents
1. Radishes
Radishes are among the fastest-growing vegetables, ready for harvest in as little as 20-30 days. These crisp, pungent root vegetables come in a variety of colors, including red, white, and purple.
Growing Radishes:
- Plant radish seeds directly in the garden soil about 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart
- Radishes prefer cool weather and partial shade
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
Harvesting Radishes:
- Pull radishes from the soil when the shoulders emerge from the ground
- For a continuous harvest, sow new seeds every 1-2 weeks
| Radish Variety | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|
| Cherry Belle | 22-28 days |
| French Breakfast | 25-30 days |
| Champion | 25-30 days |
2. Green Onions/Scallions
Green onions, also known as scallions or bunching onions, are a fast-growing allium that can be harvested in as little as 20-30 days. They are perfect for small-space gardening or growing in buckets.
Planting Green Onions:
- Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in well-draining soil
- Green onions can be grown from seed or sets (small bulbs)
- Provide consistent moisture and partial shade
Using Green Onions:
- Harvest green onions by cutting or pulling them from the soil
- Use the green tops and white bases in salads, stir-fries, and as a garnish
- For a continuous harvest, sow new seeds or plant sets every 2-3 weeks
3. Lettuce
Lettuce is a cool-weather crop that can be harvested in as little as 30 days, making it an excellent choice for a quick green addition to your garden. It’s also a great option for container gardening.
Varieties of Fast Lettuce:
- Leaf lettuce varieties like Black-Seeded Simpson and Salad Bowl mature quickly
- Loose-leaf lettuces like Oak Leaf and Red Sails are also fast growers
Harvesting Lettuce:
- For leaf lettuce, harvest the outer leaves, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing
- For head lettuce, wait until the heads are firm and compact before harvesting
| Lettuce Type | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|
| Leaf | 30-45 days |
| Looseleaf | 40-50 days |
| Romaine | 60-70 days |
4. Spinach
Spinach is a nutrient-dense leafy green that can be harvested in as little as 30 days from seed, making it a perfect choice for a fast crop. It’s also one of the easiest vegetables for beginners to grow.
Growing Spinach:
- Sow spinach seeds 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart in well-draining soil
- Spinach thrives in cool weather and partial shade
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
Eating Spinach:
- Harvest spinach leaves by cutting or pinching off the outer leaves
- Baby spinach leaves can be harvested by cutting the entire plant
- For a continuous harvest, sow new seeds every 2-3 weeks
5. Arugula
Arugula is a fast-growing, peppery green that can be harvested in just 30 days from seed. It’s an excellent choice for indoor gardening or patio gardening.
Arugula Flavor Profile:
- Arugula has a distinctive, nutty, and slightly spicy flavor
- The greens become more pungent as they mature
Arugula Growing Tips:
- Sow arugula seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in well-draining soil
- Arugula prefers cool weather and partial shade
- Keep the soil consistently moist
6. Mustard Greens
Mustard greens are a nutrient-rich, fast-growing green that can be harvested in just 30-40 days. They are a great choice for high-calorie crops in containers.
About Mustard Greens:
- Mustard greens have a slightly spicy, peppery flavor
- They come in various varieties, including Southern Giant Curled and Tendergreen
Harvesting Mustard Greens:
- Harvest the outer leaves by cutting or pinching them off
- For a continuous harvest, sow new seeds every 2-3 weeks
- Leave the inner leaves to continue growing
7. Kale
Kale is a versatile and nutrient-dense leafy green that can be harvested in as little as 30 days from seed. It’s a hardy crop that can withstand winter gardening techniques.
Varieties of Fast Kale:
- Baby kale varieties like Red Russian and Dwarf Blue Curled mature quickly
- Lacinato (Dinosaur) kale is also a fast-growing variety
Using Kale:
- Harvest kale by cutting or pinching off the outer leaves
- Baby kale leaves can be harvested by cutting the entire plant
- For a continuous harvest, sow new seeds every 2-3 weeks
8. Beet Greens
While beets take longer to mature, their nutrient-rich greens can be harvested in just 30 days. Beets are also a great high-calorie survival crop.
Growing Beets for Greens:
- Sow beet seeds 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart in well-draining soil
- Thin seedlings to 3-4 inches apart when they sprout
Cooking Beet Greens:
- Harvest the greens by cutting or pinching off the outer leaves
- Beet greens can be sautéed, steamed, or added to salads and smoothies
- Leave the inner leaves to continue growing
9. Turnip Greens
Like beet greens, turnip greens can be harvested in as little as 30 days, while the turnip roots take longer to mature. They are a great source of nutrients for survival gardening.
Nutritional Turnip Greens:
- Turnip greens are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium and fiber
- They have a slightly spicy, slightly bitter flavor
Harvesting Turnip Greens:
- Cut or pinch off the outer leaves, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing
- For a continuous harvest, sow new seeds every 2-3 weeks
10. Herbs – Cilantro, Parsley
Many herbs, including cilantro and parsley, can be harvested in just 30 days from seed, adding fresh flavor to your meals. Herbs are also great options for indoor survival gardening or homesteading in an apartment.
Growing Cilantro:
- Sow cilantro seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in well-draining soil
- Cilantro prefers cool weather and partial shade
Growing Parsley:
- Sow parsley seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in well-draining soil
- Parsley can be grown in partial shade or full sun
Harvesting Herbs:
- Harvest cilantro and parsley by cutting off the outer stems and leaves
- Leave the inner stems and leaves to continue growing
- For a continuous harvest, sow new seeds every 2-3 weeks
Succession Planting for Continuous Harvests
To ensure a continuous supply of fresh produce, practice succession planting by sowing new seeds or transplanting new seedlings every 2-3 weeks.
This method will provide a staggered harvest, ensuring a steady supply of fresh vegetables throughout the growing season.
Check out these seed starting tips for best results.
Conclusion
Incorporating fast-growing vegetables into your garden is an excellent way to enjoy fresh, nutrient-rich produce quickly.
By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can successfully grow and harvest a variety of greens, root vegetables, and herbs in just 30 days or less.
Whether you have a spacious garden or a small balcony, these fast-growing crops offer a convenient and rewarding way to supplement your food supply.
For more gardening tips and tricks, check out our Survival Gardening category on Prepping.pro.
