How Long Does It Take To Grow Vegetables?
Growing vegetables for your garden can be both a rewarding and time-consuming hobby. While some vegetables can be grown in the span of a few weeks, others can take months or even years to be ready for harvest. Knowing the timeline for the vegetables you plan to grow will be important for managing your garden and expectations.
Faster-Growing Vegetables
Some vegetables make great candidates for those who want to grow something quickly. Here are some of the fastest-growing vegetables:
- Radishes: Radishes can be ready in as little as a few weeks. Plant your radishes in early spring or late summer for the fastest crops.
- Lettuce: Lettuce can be ready to harvest in as little as 40 days. You can even stagger your plantings for a continual harvest through the season.
- Peas: Peas are another fast-growing crop. Most varieties are ready to harvest within two months of planting.
- Arugula: Arugula is a fun option for its easy-to-grow nature. The leaves can be ready to pick as soon as three weeks after planting.
Longer-Growing Vegetables
Longer-growing vegetables should not be ruled out when planning your garden. Here are some vegetables that will take longer to be ready for harvest:
- Broccoli: Broccoli can take up to three months to be harvested. Be sure to provide plenty of nutrient-rich soil and ample water.
- Cucumbers: Cucumbers usually require about two months before harvest. Cucumbers will benefit from a trellis for support as they grow.
- Winter Squash: Winter squash can take up to three months or longer to be ready for harvesting. Be sure to give them plenty of space to spread out.
- Asparagus: Asparagus is a longer-growing vegetable that can take three to four years to mature. The effort is worth the reward, though, so don’t be discouraged!
Knowing the timeline of your vegetables is crucial to managing your garden. With some patience, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor in no time!
