Veggies That Grow Fast – 15 Speedy Picks For Your First Harvest

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever planted a vegetable seed, bursting with excitement, only to feel like you’re waiting an eternity for it to turn into actual food? We’ve all been there, checking on our little green sprouts daily, wishing they’d just hurry up!

I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to wait all season for that incredible feeling of harvesting your own food. The secret is choosing the right plants from the start. I promise to share my personal list of the best veggies that grow fast and all the insider tips you need to get them from soil to salad bowl in record time.

In this complete veggies that grow fast guide, we’ll dive into my top 15 speedy vegetable picks, uncover the secrets to accelerating their growth, explore how to garden sustainably, and troubleshoot the few bumps you might encounter along the way. Let’s get growing!

Why Grow Fast-Maturing Veggies? The Surprising Benefits

Choosing quick-growing crops isn’t just about satisfying our impatience (though that’s a big plus!). There are so many wonderful advantages, especially for home gardeners. Understanding the benefits of veggies that grow fast can completely change your gardening strategy for the better.

Here’s why you should make room for some speedy growers:

  • Instant Gratification: For new gardeners, a quick success story is the best motivation. Harvesting radishes in just three weeks builds confidence and makes you feel like a true green thumb.
  • Perfect for Kids: Children have short attention spans. Fast-growing veggies allow them to see the amazing life cycle of a plant from seed to harvest before they lose interest.
  • Succession Planting: This is a pro-gardener’s secret! Once you harvest a quick crop of spinach, you can immediately plant another in its place, or follow it with a mid-season crop. This maximizes your garden’s productivity.
  • Ideal for Small Spaces: If you only have a balcony or a small patio, fast-turnaround crops let you grow multiple harvests in the same container throughout the season.
  • Filling the Gaps: Use fast growers to fill in empty spots in your garden beds while you wait for slower plants like tomatoes or peppers to mature.

Our Top 15 Picks: The Ultimate List of Veggies that Grow Fast

Ready for the fun part? Here is my tried-and-true list of vegetables that will give you a delicious harvest in 60 days or less. I’ve broken them down into categories to help you plan your garden. This is your ultimate list of veggies that grow fast.

Speedy Salad Greens (Ready in 21-45 Days)

These are the champions of the fast-growing world. Many can be harvested using the “cut-and-come-again” method—just snip the outer leaves and let the center continue to grow for multiple harvests.

  1. Arugula (21-40 days): With its peppery kick, arugula is a gourmet green that’s incredibly easy to grow. It loves cooler weather and can be ready for its first harvest in just three weeks. Pro Tip: Harvest leaves when they are young and tender for the best flavor.
  2. Spinach (30-45 days): A powerhouse of nutrients, spinach thrives in the cool temperatures of spring and fall. Plant it in well-drained, compost-rich soil for the best results. Don’t worry—it’s perfect for beginners!
  3. Leaf Lettuce (30-45 days): Forget the slow-growing head lettuces. Varieties like ‘Black Seed Simpson’ or ‘Oakleaf’ allow you to start snipping tender leaves for salads in about a month.
  4. Mustard Greens (30-40 days): If you like a little spice, mustard greens are for you. They grow vigorously in cool weather and add a zesty flavor to any dish.
  5. Bok Choy (45-60 days): Specifically, baby bok choy varieties can be ready in as little as 45 days. Their tender stems and leaves are perfect for stir-fries.

Rapid Root Veggies (Ready in 25-60 Days)

There’s nothing quite like pulling a fresh vegetable straight from the earth. These root crops don’t make you wait long for that satisfying moment.

  1. Radishes (25-35 days): The absolute speed-demon of the garden! Varieties like ‘Cherry Belle’ can go from seed to spicy, crunchy snack in under a month. This is a must-grow for impatient gardeners.
  2. Turnips (40-60 days): Don’t just grow them for the roots! Turnip greens are a delicious, nutrient-packed bonus that can be harvested in about 30 days, while you wait for the roots to swell.
  3. Baby Carrots (50-60 days): While full-sized carrots take a while, smaller varieties like ‘Paris Market’ or ‘Amsterdam Forcing’ are ready much sooner. They are perfect for container gardening, too.
  4. Scallions (60 days): Also known as green onions, scallions are incredibly easy. You can plant them from seed or, for an even faster harvest, plant the white root-ends from store-bought scallions!
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Quick-Growing Legumes and Fruiting Veggies (Ready in 50-65 Days)

These plants provide a more substantial harvest and are incredibly rewarding to grow, coming in just under the two-month mark.

  1. Bush Beans (50-60 days): Unlike pole beans that need extensive trellising, bush beans grow into compact plants and produce a large harvest all at once. They are one of the easiest veggies for a first-time gardener.
  2. Snow Peas (60 days): These sweet, crunchy pods are a delight to eat straight off the vine. They need a little support to climb, but their quick growth is well worth it.
  3. Summer Squash / Zucchini (50-65 days): It might seem surprising, but zucchini is incredibly prolific and fast-growing. Once it starts producing, you’ll be harvesting new squash every day or two!
  4. Cucumbers (50-70 days): Look for bush or pickling varieties, as they tend to mature faster. Providing a trellis helps keep the fruit clean and healthy.
  5. Okra (50-65 days): In a warm, sunny spot, okra plants will shoot up and start producing their unique pods in under two months. Harvest pods when they are small and tender.
  6. Tatsoi (45 days): This Asian green forms a beautiful, spoon-shaped rosette. It’s extremely cold-hardy and has a mild, sweet flavor perfect for salads or light cooking.

The Gardener’s Speed Secrets: How to Make Veggies Grow Fast

Choosing the right variety is half the battle. The other half is creating the perfect environment for them to thrive. This veggies that grow fast care guide is all about giving your plants everything they need to reach their full, speedy potential.

Start with a Strong Foundation: Soil Prep

Think of soil as the engine for your plants. The better the fuel, the faster they’ll go. Fast-growing veggies are often heavy feeders, so they need rich, nutritious soil from day one.

Before planting, amend your garden beds or containers with 2-3 inches of high-quality compost. This improves soil structure, retains moisture, and provides a slow-release source of essential nutrients. This is one of the most important veggies that grow fast tips I can give you.

Give Them a Head Start: Seeds vs. Transplants

For most of the veggies on our list (like radishes, carrots, and beans), direct sowing seeds into the garden is the best approach. However, for others like lettuce or bok choy, you can shave a couple of weeks off your wait time by purchasing healthy young seedlings (transplants) from a local nursery.

The “Big Three” for Growth: Sun, Water, and Nutrients

This is where consistent care pays off. Don’t neglect these basics!

  • Sunlight: Most vegetables need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to photosynthesize effectively and grow quickly. Observe your garden to find the sunniest spots.
  • Water: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Young seedlings are especially vulnerable to drying out. A layer of mulch (like straw or shredded leaves) can help retain soil moisture.
  • Nutrients: While compost provides a great base, a liquid organic fertilizer (like fish emulsion or compost tea) applied every 2-3 weeks can give your fast-growers an extra boost to support their rapid development.

Master Succession Planting for a Non-Stop Harvest

Here’s a technique that truly maximizes your garden space. Instead of planting all your radish seeds at once, sow a small row every one to two weeks. As you harvest the first batch, the next will be right behind it, giving you a continuous supply all season long. This is one of the best veggies that grow fast best practices.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Gardening for a Quick Harvest

Growing food quickly doesn’t mean you have to compromise on caring for the planet. In fact, many sustainable practices actually improve plant health and speed up growth. Adopting an eco-friendly veggies that grow fast approach is good for you and the earth.

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Focus on building healthy soil with organic matter like compost and leaf mold. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers. Use natural mulch to conserve water and suppress weeds. You can also try companion planting—for example, planting marigolds near your beans can help deter pests naturally.

Choosing sustainable veggies that grow fast means creating a resilient garden ecosystem that works with nature, not against it. This holistic approach leads to healthier plants and a more rewarding gardening experience.

Troubleshooting: Common Problems with Veggies that Grow Fast

Even with speedy crops, you might run into a hiccup or two. Don’t worry! Here’s how to solve some of the most common problems with veggies that grow fast.

My Radishes are All Leaves, No Bulb!

This is a classic issue! It’s usually caused by two things: too much nitrogen fertilizer (which promotes leaf growth) or planting them too close together. Make sure to thin your radish seedlings to about 2 inches apart to give the roots room to swell.

My Lettuce Tastes Bitter!

Bitter lettuce is almost always a sign of “bolting,” which is when the plant starts to produce a flower stalk. This is triggered by heat. Harvest your lettuce and spinach in the cool of the morning and provide some afternoon shade during hot spells to prolong your harvest.

Pests Are Devouring My Greens!

Tiny holes in the leaves of arugula or mustard greens are often the work of flea beetles. Aphids can also be a problem on tender new growth. A strong spray of water can dislodge many pests. For persistent issues, a simple, organic insecticidal soap is a safe and effective solution.

Frequently Asked Questions About Veggies that Grow Fast

What is the absolute fastest vegetable to grow?

Hands down, the winner is the radish. Certain varieties can be ready to harvest in as little as 22-25 days under ideal conditions. They are the perfect crop for getting a quick and satisfying gardening win.

Can I grow these fast veggies in containers?

Absolutely! Most of the vegetables on this list are perfect for container gardening. Leaf lettuce, spinach, radishes, baby carrots, and bush beans all do exceptionally well in pots. Just ensure your container has good drainage and you use a high-quality potting mix.

How often should I harvest my fast-growing greens?

For cut-and-come-again greens like leaf lettuce, spinach, and arugula, you can start harvesting as soon as the outer leaves are a few inches long. Snip what you need, leaving the central growing point intact. This can provide you with multiple harvests from the same plant over several weeks.

Do fast-growing vegetables need special fertilizer?

They don’t need “special” fertilizer, but they do appreciate nutrient-rich soil because they are doing a lot of growing in a short amount of time. Mixing compost into your soil before planting is the best first step. A supplemental feeding with a balanced, liquid organic fertilizer halfway through their short life cycle can be beneficial but isn’t always necessary if your soil is rich.

Your Speedy Harvest Awaits!

There you have it—everything you need to know to pack your garden with delicious, fast-growing vegetables. We’ve covered the best varieties to choose, the secrets to speeding up their growth, and how to handle any small challenges along the way.

Gardening doesn’t have to be a long waiting game. By choosing the right plants and giving them the care they need, you can enjoy the incredible taste of homegrown food in just a matter of weeks.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a seed packet of radishes or leaf lettuce this weekend and experience the pure joy of a quick harvest. Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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