“What fastest growing vegetables should I include in my garden?” You might be asking yourself this question during these unstable times.
With a looming food supply shortage in the prolonged community lockdowns to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, a steady harvest from your backyard will ensure you and your family will have something hearty and healthy to put on your table. These quick crops can be harvested in as little as four weeks.
In this article, we list down some fast-growing crops to include in your own garden.
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It is important to grow crops that will meet many of your nutritional needs during this unique and challenging time. However, an important consideration is to choose the fastest growing vegetables that can be well-stored or can last for a long time.
Here are some of the must-have fastest growing vegetables for your survival garden.
1. Sweet Potatoes
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Sweet potatoes are a staple food for most survival gardens because of its high-calorie content. Though it takes longer to mature than regular potatoes, the greens are edible so you have an extra source of greens before the root crops are harvested.
Time before harvest: 3-4 months
2. Kale
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Among the many options for green leafy vegetables, kale is the king in terms of nutrient density. These are also crops you can harvest and let regrow for continuous use.
Time before harvest: about 2 months after transplanting and 2-3 months if from seed
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3. Radish
Radishes are probably one of the fastest growing vegetables to plant in your backyard garden. In planting radishes, make sure to plant each week or so, rather than all at one time to extend your harvest capacity.
Time before harvest: 3 weeks
4. Spinach
Popeye’s favorite spinach takes only about a month and a half to mature. This is another green that can be harvested and regrown from the same plant.
Time before harvest: about a month and a half
5. Bush Beans
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Beans are rich in fiber, protein, and antioxidants which makes them healthy substitutes for meat. They can be preserved, dried, and stored for a good period of time.
Time before harvest: less than 2 months
6. Beets
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Beets offer nutritional value both in the form of beetroots and its green leaves. It can be dried, pickled, roasted, and juiced, or you can just eat it raw.
Time before harvest: 1-2 months
7. Baby Carrots
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Baby carrots don’t take as long as full-sized carrots to mature, but taste and offer the same nutritional value as the regular ones.
Time before harvest: 2 months
8. Zucchini
Most often ignored as a survival crop, zucchini is very rich in vital nutrients including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and plenty of potassium. More than that, this fast-growing crop is effortless to plant since it requires minimal attention and nurturing.
Time before harvest: about 2 months
BONUS: Herbs
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Be sure to add herbs like basil, parsley, and rosemary to your survival garden. These herbs require minimal space and attention, yet they provide a number of medicinal benefits while making the food from your garden taste even better.
RELATED: 13 Essential Perennial Herbs For Easy Herb Gardening
Watch this video from Daisy Creek Farms for store-bought vegetables that are easy to regrow:
Identifying these fastest growing vegetables is only half the equation. The other half rests on careful planning to provide a steady supply of food to the table.
And one more thing, secure your survival garden from animals and humans. Put plant barriers around your food source to deter anyone or anything from rummaging your supply.
Did we miss anything? What other fast-growing vegetables would go great in a survival garden? Let us know in the comments below.
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