Herbs and Chives

Loose Leaf Lettuce

Kale

Chard

Radishes

Cucumbers

Peas

Beans

Zucchini and Summer Squash

Go ahead and give some of these beginner-friendly plants a try in your garden. But don’t be discouraged if you find that challenges still exist. Maybe you live in a hot area and just can’t get your lettuce to grow without bolting and becoming bitter. Or maybe your zucchini and squash get the unlucky fate of being eaten by squash vine borers. Whatever the cause, there’s bound to be setbacks in any garden, even the ones with the “easiest” plants. Keep your spirits up and experiment with several plant varieties! Trying out several of these simpler plants is bound to get you at least a few tasty vegetables to bring to the dinner table.

Porch gardening:

If you have a patio or porch, you’ll be happy to know that you still have plenty of opportunities to start gardening. Containers are great to place on your patio or porch, allowing you to have delicious plants without the time or space needed for a backyard garden. Growing your plants in containers can even make it easier to spot and pluck weeds. The minimum container size depends on the type of plant you’re looking to grow. For certain greens like kale and spinach, as well as smaller tomatoes, a 1-2 gallon well draining pot will be sufficient [2]. So if space is an issue, stick to greens!

Kale: Of the greens you can grow in small containers, kale is a relatively easy option and it is frost tolerant! Start seeds indoors about 6 weeks before your last frost, and then transplant to your chosen container. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, fertilize every other week, and allow for 8 hours of sunlight.

Tomatoes: Patio varieties of tomatoes can be purchased and grown in your porch containers. Grow tomatoes with full sun, and larger varieties should also have larger containers. Consider adding a tomato cage for vines to grow and have support on.

Lettuce: If your patio doesn’t receive full sun, consider planting lettuce in your containers, as this plant does not require as much light as other plants. For more information on how much sun lettuce and other plants require check Planter’s quick info section.

Peas: Peas can be grown at the beginning of the season in a container, and then swapped out for another plant later in the season if you’re looking for some variety while not using too many containers.

Other: Some other plants that can be grown in containers on your porch include squash, hot peppers, arugula, and eggplant

Indoor Gardening:

If you don’t have a patio or porch, don’t fear, there are still options for you to use your green thumb. Several plants that can be grown on your patio can also be grown indoors, such as tomatoes and lettuce. There are plenty more plants for you to pick from; let’s take a look at a few!

Herbs: A great year round option for indoor gardening is having an herb garden. If you have a windowsill that gets plenty of sunlight you should have no issue growing a wide variety of herbs. Basil, mint, oregano, mint, chives, sage, rosemary, thyme, cilantro, and parsley are all tasty herbs that you can grow in your apartment. To successfully grow these plants, keep in mind that the pots should be large enough to allow roots to expand, and should also have holes at the bottom to allow for drainage and prevent root rot. Herbs should receive full sun and optionally a grow light can be used if the location doesn’t get enough natural light. Keep your soil moist and feed the herbs with a 5% nitrogen fertilizer, and you’ll have a plant ready for light harvesting throughout the year [1]! Be careful not to over-harvest; try to stick to less than a quarter of the plant’s mass at once.

Blueberries: Blueberries are a great option to grow indoors in an 18’’ or larger container. They need plenty of light, so should be placed by a window, and consider buying a compact variety such as dwarf blueberries. The plant can be fertilized twice a year (in the spring and fall), and should be watered regularly.

Carrots: For carrots, pick a pot that’s at least 10-12 inches deep, spread seeds along the soil, and clip the extra germinated seedlings so that there are seedlings a half an inch apart. Choose the best seedlings to keep when they reach about 3 in. and also begin fertilizing every other week. Harvest the carrots when they are the signature bright orange color.

Hot Peppers: Ornamental hot peppers are an ideal variety to be grown indoors. They can be planted in small containers and transplanted to bigger pots later. They need about 10 - 12 hours of sunlight, and can be placed on your windowsill. They only need water a few times a week, and soil should be left to dry out a little before rewatering.

Scallions: Scallion seeds can be planted 0.5 in. deep and 4-6 in. apart in a container. Like hot peppers they can be started in a separate tray and then transplanted. Covering the seeds before they germinate is a good step to keep ideal humidity levels. Additionally, you can reuse the bottom 3 in. of a previous scallion and place it in a cup of water on your windowsill to regrow. If you grow the scallions in a pot keep the soil moist and allow for 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.

Potatoes: Potatoes can be started from your old potatoes that have sprouted from their eyes. Cut a chunk of the potato that is about 2 in. and allow it to heal for a couple of days, before planting in a 2.5 gallon container. Keep soil moist, and fertilize with organic fertilizer as desired. Make sure to hill the plant, by creating a mound around the stalk as the plant grows to prevent the potato itself getting light. When the plant is yellow or dying, this is usually a sign that your potatoes are ready for harvest.

Other: Some other plants that can be grown indoors include tomatoes, leafy greens, radishes, and tomatoes.

Community Gardens:

Now let’s say herbs and simple vegetables aren’t enough for your gardening desires. Another great option for gardening when you’re living without the yard space is to join a community garden. Not only are these garden’s great for meeting like minded people, they also help promote healthier lifestyles and create cleaner environments. Click here to access the American Community Garden Association’s website and find community gardens near you. These gardens allow you more flexibility than your porch or window sill, and are a great way to connect with the people in your neighborhood.

Citations:

[1] Habas, C (December 24, 2020). How to Grow Parsley and Cilantro Inside. SFGate. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-parsley-cilantro-inside-65553.html

[2] Walliser, J. (n.d.). Patio Vegetable Garden Setup and Tips to Get Growing. Savvy Gardening. https://savvygardening.com/patio-vegetable-garden/

Is this a Plant I Grew?

The one nearly foolproof method of knowing if the little plant in your garden is a seedling or a weed is to grow a small quantity of seeds in a separate container to see what the seedling should look like [4]. Compare it to the seedlings in your garden, and weed out the rest. Another good habit is to use markers where you plant your seeds to know at least an approximate location of where they are [4]. Additionally, cotyledons, or the first leaves to grow on a seedling, can be confusing to identify, as they often don’t look like the adult leaves on the plant [2]. This means that waiting for plants to develop their true leaves can make them much more recognizable, and thus you’ll be less likely to confuse them for weeds. It may take a few weeks for plants to develop true leaves [5]. Below are pictures of a sunflower cotyledon and an older sunflower seedling; notice how its true leaves appear much more recognizable than the young leaves. This just emphasizes the importance of avoiding weeding plants that are young, because they could be your plant, just at a very immature stage.

Seedling Identification

It is a good habit to know what some of your common garden seedlings look like [9]. Let’s take a look at some popular garden plants!

Beans

Bean seedlings will have 2 heart-shaped leaves making them easier to identify against other weeds [5].

Broccoli/Cauliflower

Broccoli and cauliflower are distinguished by their kidney-shaped first leaves, only later developing leaves that more closely resemble those on mature plants [5].

Carrots

Carrots can look like grass at first, so letting cotyledons grow can help with identification [5]. Maturing leaves will start to look like herbs, such as cilantro, as pictured below. A key way to identify that your carrots are actually carrots, is to rub their leaves with your fingers and smell. If you can smell the carrot, you’re in luck, otherwise it’s likely to be some kind of weed [7].

Cucumbers

Maturing cucumbers will show an oval seed coming out from where the leaves meet. As they grow they will develop triangular lobed leaves as pictured [5]. They also have fuzzy leaves and stems.

Lettuce

Lettuce seedlings will vary in appearance based on variety, however they characteristically have no central stem and are colored bright green [6].

Tomatoes

The “toothed” leaves of tomatoes develop quickly so wait to see if your plant develops leaves that are similar to those of an adult tomato plant [6].

Common Weeds

Now that we’ve gone through some important practices when it comes to seedling identification, let’s take a look at some common weed varieties, so that you can better recognize to pluck them in your garden.

Dandelions

This weed has a lengthy taproot and a bright yellow flower that eventually turns into a fluffy sphere of seeds that are dispersed in the wind [1].

White Clover

Clovers have 3 leaves and a round white flower that emerges [1].

Nutsedge

This weed is identifiable with its grass-looking structure and extremely fast growing properties. It can be pulled out by hand [1].

Creeping Charlie

Named for its “creeping” movements, this weed has small purple flowers and can be a nuisance in the garden [1].

Mugwort

Mugwort, while resembling certain herbs, has dark upper leaves, with the bottom of its leaves being lighter, much like chrysanthemum leaves [3].

Plantain

This weed is characterized by large oval leaves low to the ground and is pictured below [1]. While it is an edible weed, it is invasive and an annoyance in the garden if you aren’t looking to eat it [8].

Takeaways

Weeds can hinder your garden’s growth, but it is important to first learn how to identify them, so you don’t pluck out a plant you intended to grow. Knowing how typical weeds look is crucial to improving your seedling identification skills. But if you’re not sure what a small plant is, wait for it to develop true leaves, so you can be more confident of whether or not it is something you planted. Check out the Planter app for more information on successfully growing your seedlings into tasty fruits and vegetables.

Citations

[1] Beck, A. (April 28, 2022). The Only Weed Identification Guide You’ll Ever Need: 33 Common Weedy Plants to Watch For. Better Homes and Gardens. https://www.bhg.com/gardening/pests/insects-diseases-weeds/types-of-weeds/

[2] Ellis, M. (n.d.). Sprout Identification Guide: How To Tell Seedlings From Weeds. Gardening Know How. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/how-to-tell-seedlings-from-weeds.htm

[3] Grant, B. (n.d.). Mugwort Control: Tips For Getting Rid of Mugwort. Gardening Know How. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/getting-rid-of-mugwort.htm

[4] Hendry, A. (March 22, 2018). _6 Ways to Tell Seedling from Weedlings._GrowVeg. https://www.growveg.com/guides/6-ways-to-tell-seedlings-from-weedlings/

[5] How to Tell Vegetable Seedlings From Weeds. (February 28, 2022). Almanac. https://www.almanac.com/content/vegetable-seedling-pictures-and-identification

[6] Identifying the 27 Most Common Vegetables. (September 24, 2018). PlantSnap. https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/vegetable-plants/

[7] Miller, C. (May 28, 2022). Carrot Sprouts and How to Identify Them. Bustling Nest. https://bustlingnest.com/identify-carrot-sprouts/#:~:text=Smell%20the%20Leaves,or%20weed%20leaves%20will%20not.

[8] Orr, E. (n.d.). Plantago (Plantain): Edible Lawn Weed. Wild Edible. https://www.wildedible.com/wild-food-guide/plantain

[9] Russel, E. (n.d.) 14 Most Popular Vegetables to Grow. Gardening Channel. https://www.gardeningchannel.com/most-popular-vegetables-to-grow/

Below is a diagram of the different plant parts we eat. Keep reading to see details about where you may see these plant parts on your dinner table.

[11]

Roots

Some examples of root vegetables that you can grow and consume include carrots, parsnips, and beets. Potatoes, sweet potatoes and yams are considered root tubers, and onions and shallots are types of bulbs. All of these veggies are unique to others in that they are grown underground. These vegetables help lower cholesterol, are high in antioxidants, and contain carotenoids which help with vision [2].

Stems

Common plant stems you eat include asparagus and kohlrabi. Some of the plants with roots that you may commonly eat, such as onions, garlic, and chives, also have edible stems [4]. Stems of other root vegetables, such as potatoes, can be harmful when consumed [9].

Leaves

Many of the leaves in our gardens are not only edible, but also extremely beneficial to our health. For example, kale contains both vital antioxidants and fiber and spinach contains nutrients such as phosphorus and magnesium. Romaine lettuce, swiss chard, and cabbage all are shown to be beneficial in terms of cancer prevention [10]. However, like with all the plants in your garden it is crucial to make sure you don’t generalize the benefits of these leaves to the leaves of all your plants. Rhubarb, eggplants, and tomatoes all have leaves that are shown to be toxic to humans, and shouldn’t be consumed [9].

Flowers

Flowers are often known for being decorative or attracting pollinators, rather than for being an edible plant part. However, some flowers in your garden could actually be edible, including nasturtium, chamomile, and marigolds [3]. Broccoli and cauliflower also have edible flower parts [8]. Eggplant flowers, like their leaves, are toxic to humans [9].

Fruits

A fruit is a part of the plant, originating from the flower, that develops from the ovary. Some common fruits include blueberries, grapes, and cherries. Raspberries and blackberries are also fruit, but these are aggregate fruit, and each individual raspberry or blackberry is composed of many small fruits that originated at one receptacle in the plant. Examples of fruits you may commonly consume, but may not know are fruits include tomatoes and peppers [7]. Sunflower seeds are also actually technically fruit rather than seeds as their name implies [5]. Not all fruit you can grow should be eaten however. Asparagus plants yield red berries, but these are in fact inedible [9].

Seeds

Legumes, such as beans, peanuts, and peas are plant seeds, which are a plant part that develop from the ovules in the ovary [5]. They provide great plant-based ways of getting healthy fats and proteins in your diet [6]. Some seeds, such as apple seeds and cherry pits, are actually harmful to consume [1].

Receptacle

While strawberries are often thought of as berries, the fleshy part “berry” isn’t even a true fruit. In fact, the red “berry” is actually the receptacle or the part of the stem that is the origin of flower growth [7]. This means that the “seeds” on the strawberry are the true fruit on the strawberry.

Concluding Thoughts

Did any of these plant parts surprise you? Information about growing the plants above in your garden can be found in the Planter app. Next time you’re gardening, be sure to appreciate the variety in not only the plant species you are growing, but also the number of plant structures we are able to eat. With great variety comes some risk, so proceed with caution when consuming the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor. Make sure that the part of the plant you are eating is truly edible, before experimenting too much with trying all the parts of each of your plants.

References:

[1] Brantley A. (July 29, 2020). 7 Fruits and Vegetables with Poisonous Parts. Well Tuned. https://bcbstwelltuned.com/2020/07/29/7-fruits-and-vegetables-with-poisonous-parts/

[2] Brenan, D. (2021, November 9). What are the Health Benefits of Root Vegetables. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-are-root-vegetables

[3] LaLiberte, K. (January 25, 2021). Flowers You Can Eat. Gardener’s Supply Company/ https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/edible-flowers/8078.html

[4] List of Vegetables: II. Examples of Stem Vegetables. (April 10, 2022). Crops Review. https://www.cropsreview.com/stem-vegetables/

[5] McCulloch M. (November 22, 2018). Are Sunflower Seeds Good For You? Nutrition, Benefits and More. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sunflower-seeds#what-they-are

[6] Plant Based Diet: Nuts, Seeds, and Legumes Can Help You Get There. (November 13, 2014). Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/plant-based-diet-nuts-seeds-and-legumes-can-help-get-you-there#:~:text=Legumes%20are%20the%20edible%20seeds,also%20include%20peas%20and%20lentils.

[7] Rodrigue, C. (September 29, 2015). Fruits and Seeds. California Ecosystems. https://home.csulb.edu/~rodrigue/geog330/fruitsseeds.html

[8] Sabat, S. (February 14, 2020). Broccoli is Technically a Flower? Know Other Vegetables That Are Technically Flowers. RepublicWorld. https://www.republicworld.com/lifestyle/food/take-a-look-at-vegetables-that-are-technically-flowers.html#:~:text=Vegetables%20that%20are%20flower%3A%20Broccoli,are%20consumed%20as%20a%20vegetable

[9] Straus R. (June 2, 2016). 7 Plants You Should Never Eat Root-to-Stem. Prevention. https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/g20512557/7-plants-you-should-never-eat-root-to-stem/

[10] Tee-Melegrito, R. (September 3, 2021). What to Know About Green Leafy Vegetables. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/green-leafy-vegetables

[11] The Great Plant Escape Glossary. (n.d.). University of Illinois Extension. https://web.extension.illinois.edu/gpe/glossary/receptacle.html