Growing Vegetables in the Ground
When it comes to gardening, there is nothing better than the feeling of planting and harvesting your own vegetables. Growing fresh nutritious vegetables in the ground has many benefits, particularly in terms of their flavour and health benefits. With a variety of vegetables to choose from, we can always find something to suit our individual preferences. Here is a look at some of the best vegetables to grow in the ground.
Root Vegetables
Root vegetables are an outstanding option when it comes to growing in the ground. They are packed full of flavour, nutrition, and are relatively easy to care for.
- Carrots: These can be grown almost anywhere, but need to have rich, free-draining soil. Carrots are extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of meals.
- Beets: These are also very easy to grow and need soil well supplied with organic matter to be successful. They add a sweet and earthy flavour to meals.
- Parsnips: Sweet and tender, parsnips need to be grown in the sunniest part of the garden and benefit from the addition of some supplemental water during dry periods.
Leafy Vegetables
These leafy vegetables make a wonderful addition to the garden and can be harvested throughout the season for refreshing salads, stir-fries and other meal ideas.
- Spinach: This popular leafy green doesn’t need much attention and grows well in average to rich soil with plenty of drainage. Spinach is high in calcium, iron, and antioxidants.
- Kale: This hardy vegetable is a great option for the home garden. It can be harvested in succession, giving you lots to enjoy. It’s a nutrient-dense option; just one cup of kale contains double the daily recommended intake of vitamin C.
- Lettuce: This is an easy to grow vegetable that is slightly more delicate than the others on this list. It needs good soil and plenty of water but with good maintenance, you should be able to harvest a nice crop.
Other Vegetables to Grow in the Ground
In addition to the root and leafy vegetables above, there are several other vegetables that can be grown in the ground:
- Onions and garlic: These are an excellent choice for the vegetable garden. Onions can be sown from seed, planted as sets or grown from cloves. Garlic cloves are planted in the autumn and harvested in the summer and provide a delightful flavour to dishes.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes need a sunny spot in your garden and should be planted in the later part of spring, early summer. Tomatoes are a delicious and versatile vegetable, perfect for salads and recipes.
- Peas: Peas are a great edible crop that can be grown easily with minimal maintenance. They are best planted in spring and can be harvested when they start to mature.
With so many vegetables to choose from, it’s easy to see why growing vegetables in the ground is such a rewarding activity. Not only do you get to enjoy freshly grown produce, but you also get the added satisfaction of having grown it yourself!
