15 easy foods to grow at home

Home grown vegetables

1. Blueberry

Each small berry packs a punch of antioxidants and phytoflavinoids. They are a top pick by doctors and nutritionists because they lower your risk of heart disease and cancer while acting as an anti-inflammatory. There is a blueberry for every garden -- small, tall, semi-evergreen, deciduous, blue, or pink.

2. Kale

Any type of greens are healthy for the body, but kale is a powerhouse. It is rated as one of the best veggies for absorbing free radicals, which have been linked to diabetes, Alzheimer's, and rheumatoid arthritis. Lacinato Kale, also known as Dinosaur or Tuscan Kale, has a sweet, mild flavour, especially when harvested at a young age. It's a gorgeous blue-leaf Italian heirloom variety that tastes fantastic in soups.

3. Microgreens

Scientists are now confirming that microgreens -- greens and herbs harvested within 14 days of their growth cycle -- have a greater concentration of vitamins and minerals than their fully grown counterparts. In one study, the younger greens had four to six times more beneficial nutrients. There are several different microgreens to choose from. Growing greens by seed is very simple: Just sprinkle the seeds over soil and cover with a very thin layer of potting soil. Microgreens are perfect for containers and window boxes.

4. Beetroot

Beets are coined "nature's multivitamin" because they can ward off diseases from the common cold to cancer. This healthy vegetable has been appearing on roasted-beetroot salads in restaurants for years. Not only are the roots beneficial, but the leaves are just as edible and healthy.

5. Pumpkins and Butternut

Containing one of the richest supplies of carotenoids, just a half-cup serving of pumpkin or butternut gives you more than two times the recommended daily dose of alpha-carotene. Not only is the flesh good for you, but so are the seeds. There are plenty of different varieties to choose from, but it really depends on the size of your garden.

6. Carrots

These quick-growing seeds can be planted in spring or late summer. They prefer cooler climates, and do best in deep, loose soil. Seeds sprout easily, producing a million teeny plants that must be thinned. When tops are two inches tall, pull out enough small ones to leave room for bigger ones to mature.

7. Radishes

These do well in containers as well as garden beds. Seeds can be planted in early spring as soon as you can work the soil. They mature and are ready to be eaten within about three weeks! These can be grown together with carrots, helping to break down the surface for weaker carrots to come through. Early spring radishes are milder in flavour, and the heat of summer produces spicier radishes.

8. Lettuce

There are many varieties of leaf lettuce you can choose from. Plant as seeds or young plants, making sure they’re placed in afternoon shade and get plenty of water. Pull leaves off heads as they mature to create fresh, crisp salads! A second crop can be started for fall when the blazing hot weather has passed.

9. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are easiest to grow from seedlings. Choose a sunny, warm spot and stake plants to keep them from flopping over when fruit gets heavy. Marigolds planted around garden beds and interspersed between plants will prevent worms from making a feast of your tomatoes. Try a cherry tomato plant if you want a sweet snack in the garden until winter.

10. Peppers

Peppers are also grown easiest from small seedlings, planted after the danger of frost has passed. They prefer moist soil, and benefit from being staked as they grow upright. Peppers can be picked at any size you prefer.

11. Bush Beans

Have children sow these big seeds in late spring. Bush beans don’t require any staking and grow quickly. Choose a spot with full sun for your beans. For maximum sweetness and delicate crispness, harvest when they’re small before seed pods form.

12. Onions

Plant your “sets” (mini onions) early in the season. Don’t pull too early…they’re ready to harvest when green tops begin to yellow. You may want to dry onions out for a week or two if you plan to store them in a cool place.

13. Mushrooms

Mushrooms aren’t just flavourful; they’re also a good source of fibre and vitamin C as well as antioxidants and cancer-fighting compounds. The easiest way to grow mushrooms indoors is to purchase a kit or grow them in a laundry basket. If you’re looking for a more labour-intensive option, follow these instructions. http://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/vegetables/how-to-grow-mushrooms/

14. Cucumbers

If you let them, cucumber plants will sprawl, so provide your plants with ample space to stretch their roots. Try smaller varieties to make your own homemade pickles! Be sure to avoid planting cucumbers until all danger of frost has passed.

15. Basil

An essential additive to cooking, this aromatic herb isn't just for lovers of Italian cuisine! You can grow basil in pots or in the ground—even indoors on a sunny windowsill. Sow seeds directly into the garden in early June in a sunny, well-drained area. When the leaves reach a desirable size, just pluck them from the plant and wait as the basil continues to provide fragrant and flavourful leaves that you can also dry and use long after summer is past.

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