Growing season: Radishes grow well in the spring or summer. Soil: Use a well-draining soil that has a pH between 6–7. [2] X Research source Water: Give radishes 1 in (2. 5 cm) of water weekly. Sun: Radishes grow well in full sun (at least 6 hours a day). Companion plants: Radishes grow well with carrots, leafy greens, and squash since they deter pests and beetles. Chervil and nasturtium also improve radish flavor when they’re planted together. [3] X Research source
Growing season: Plant carrots in the early spring. Soil: Carrots need at least 8–12 in (20–30 cm) of loose soil mixed with compost and sand so they can form strong roots. Water: Give carrots a shallow watering so the soil feels moist if you poke your finger in it. Sun: Plant carrots in a bed where they get 6–10 hours of sun every day. Companion plants: Plant radishes with carrots to prevent the soil from forming a hard crust, which could damage young seedlings.
Growing season: Sow onion seeds in the early spring. Soil: Onions grow best in well-drained soil with a pH between 6–6. 5. [5] X Research source If you have well-aged compost that doesn’t have an odor, you can plant onions straight into it without mixing it with soil. Water: Give onions with 1 in (2. 5 cm) weekly. Sun: Plant onions where they’ll get 6 hours of sunlight daily. Companion plants: Surround kale, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, lettuce, and peppers with onions to keep pests away.
Growing season: Plant beets in spring and again in fall after harvesting your first crop. Soil: Plant beets in light, loamy soils that are mixed with compost and organic matter. Water: Water beets when the top 1⁄2 in (1. 3 cm) of soil feels dry. Sun: Find a place where beets can get 6 hours of sun daily. Keep beets on the south side of the raised bed and taller plants to the north to help them get enough light. Companion plants: Onions protect beets from beetles. Beets also pair well with garlic, lettuce, chicory, and endive. [7] X Research source
Growing season: Grow lettuce in spring or fall during cool weather. Soil: Pick an area that has loose, well-draining soil that feels moist. Water: Keep the soil moist, and water your lettuce if the leaves start wilting. Sun: Lettuce thrives in areas with 5–6 hours of sunlight. Companion plants: Chives, onions, and garlic will all deter aphids that feed on lettuce. Planting lettuce along with basil can make it taste even better. [9] X Research source
Growing season: Sow seeds in the spring to have kale in the summer. Kale is cold tolerant, so it can survive through light frosts. Soil: Kale prefers nitrogen-rich soils that are well-drained. Water: Provide kale with 1–1 1⁄2 in (2. 5–3. 8 cm) of water weekly. Sun: Make sure kale gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily for tender leaves. Companion plants: Grow your kale along with onions, carrots, and other salad greens. [11] X Research source
Growing season: Start your seeds in the early spring. Soil: Spinach grows best in loose soil mixed with compost or aged manure. Water: Keep the soil moist throughout the growing season so the leaves don’t dry out. Sun: Spinach needs at least 6 hours of sunlight daily, but it can tolerate some shade throughout the day. Companion plants: Peas and beans work well with spinach. Planting it alongside cilantro, oregano, or rosemary can even help to keep insects away.
Growing season: Plant celery seeds or transplant seedlings in the spring. Soil: Fill raised garden beds with well-draining, loamy soil mixed with compost or manure. Water: Keep the soil moist and don’t let water pool up on the surface. Sun: Celery grows when it gets at least 6 hours of sun per day. Companion plants: Try growing your celery with beans, cabbage, leeks, onions, spinach, or tomatoes. [14] X Research source
Growing season: Plant garlic in the fall before the ground freezes. Soil: Fill your raised beds with well-draining soil that’s free from clay and rocks. Water: Moisten the soil around your garlic every 3–5 days. Sun: Pick a spot that gets 6–8 hours of sun every day. Companion plants: Garlic grows well with tomatoes, cabbage, beets, and lettuce.
Growing season: Start seeds in mid-spring to get tomatoes by late summer. Soil: Use well-draining soil mixed with compost that doesn’t hold moisture to prevent your tomatoes from getting waterlogged. Water: Provide tomatoes with 1–1 1⁄2 in (2. 5–3. 8 cm) of water weekly. [17] X Research source Sun: Choose a spot that gets 6 hours or more of sunlight. You can even install a trellis next to your tomatoes to help keep them upright and get more sun. Companion plants: Improve the tomato flavor by planting it with basil. Tomatoes can grow well with garlic, lettuce, beans, and onions. [18] X Research source
Growing season: Plant broccoli seeds or transplants in the early spring. Soil: Broccoli prefers well-drained soils without sand or clay. Water: Water your broccoli plants every 4 or 5 days so the soil stays moist. Sun: Give broccoli at least 6 hours of sunlight during the day. Companion plants: Plant your broccoli with oregano, brussels sprouts, or cauliflower. [20] X Research source
Growing season: Plant peppers in spring so they grow throughout the summer. Soil: Fill your garden beds with well-drained soil mixed with organic matter, like compost or manure, to help peppers thrive. Water: Give peppers about 1–2 inches (2. 5–5. 1 cm) of water every week. Sun: Choose a planting spot that gets around 6–8 hours of sun per day. Companion plants: Bell peppers do well near basil, onions, carrots, and tomatoes. Spicy chili peppers group well with cucumbers, eggplant, tomatoes, squash, basil, and oregano. [22] X Research source
Growing season: Grow peas in early spring when the weather is still cool. Soil: Fertile, well-draining soil works best for peas. Plant them next to a trellis to help them branch out and grow. Water: Keep the soil moist by watering it with only 1 in (2. 5 cm) of water every week. [24] X Research source Sun: Peas need at least 6 hours of sunlight daily for the best flavor. They can tolerate a little shade during the day. Companion plants: Basil, rosemary, and nasturtiums help keep aphids off of your peas.
Growing season: Plant beans as soon as there isn’t a risk of frost in the spring. Soil: Mix soil with organic matter, like compost or manure, before planting beans. Water: Keep the soil moist as your beans start growing, and then only water once every 3 days after the first week. Sun: Give your beans at least 6–8 hours of sunlight during the day. Companion plants: Rosemary, nasturtiums, beets, and strawberries are all great to plant with beans since they keep pests away. [26] X Research source
Growing season: Plant eggplants in spring when the soil warms up. Soil: Pick a sandy, loamy soil that’s mixed with 1 in (2. 5 cm) of compost or manure. Water: Water your soil until it feels moist 6 in (15 cm) below the surface. Try to use a soaker hose or drip irrigation if you can. Sun: Eggplants need at least 6–8 hours of sunlight every day. Companion plants: Try growing eggplant with dill or basil to keep pests away.
Growing season: Plant strawberries in the spring to grow throughout the summer. Soil: Fill raised beds with well-draining soil mixed with compost or 10-10-10 fertilizer to help provide your berries with nutrients. [29] X Research source Water: Give strawberries 1–2 inches (2. 5–5. 1 cm) of water weekly. Sun: Strawberries need at least 6 hours of sun during the day. Companion plants: Thyme, borage, beans, lettuce, onions, and spinach grow well next to strawberries. [30] X Research source
Growing season: Plant cucumbers in spring after the last frost. Soil: Cucumbers thrive in loose, sandy soils, but they’ll do well in well-draining loam too. [32] X Research source Water: Give cucumbers 1 in (2. 5 cm) of water weekly. [33] X Research source Sun: Cucumbers need at least 6–8 hours of sun every day. Companion plants: Cucumbers grow best with beans, peas, tomatoes, radishes, oregano, and nasturtiums.
Growing season: Plant zucchinis in spring for a summer harvest. Soil: Use a well-draining soil mixed with aged manure or compost. Water: Soak the soil with 1 in (2. 5 cm) of water every week. Sun: Pick a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Companion plants: Plant zucchini next to garlic to help keep aphids away.
Basil Dill Borage Oregano Chives Rosemary
Nasturtiums Zinnias Black-eyed Susans Salvia Sunflowers
