Choose Plants That Give Back
For your first season, the goal is to build confidence and have a positive experience. This means choosing plants that are relatively low-maintenance, productive, and resistant to common problems. Just like you wouldn't learn to code by building a distributed database, you shouldn't start gardening with exotic, difficult plants.
The Beginner Gardener's "Easy Wins" List
These crops are forgiving and provide a great return on your time investment.
Herbs
Basil, mint, oregano, and rosemary are incredibly easy to grow in small pots on a sunny windowsill. They are "cut-and-come-again," meaning the more you harvest them, the more they grow.
Leafy Greens
Lettuce, spinach, and kale grow quickly and can also be harvested leaf by leaf for a continuous supply. They are perfect for container gardening.
Radishes
The ultimate plant for instant gratification. Many varieties go from seed to harvest in under 30 days.
Bush Beans
These plants are compact and incredibly productive. One or two plants can give you handfuls of fresh green beans every few days.
Cherry Tomatoes (in a large container)
While large tomatoes can be tricky, cherry tomato plants are vigorous and produce an abundance of sweet, delicious fruit. Just make sure to give them a large pot and a sunny spot.