Home > Growing tips & recipes > Top 10 Fast-Growing Vegetables For New Gardeners 15 min read 28.02.2025 Top 10 Fast-Growing Vegetables For New Gardeners Starting your first vegetable patch can be exciting but also a little daunting. You want to see results quickly, and nothing is more encouraging than harvesting your first homegrown produce within just a few weeks! At She Grows Veg, we understand that new gardeners need confidence-boosting crops that grow fast and require minimal maintenance. So, let’s dive into the best quick-growing vegetables that will have you enjoying homegrown goodness in no time.What Does “Fast Growing” Mean?Fast-growing vegetables are those that go from seed to harvest in the shortest time possible. While some crops can take months to mature, others are ready to eat in as little as 3-6 weeks. These varieties are perfect for impatient gardeners, children eager to see results, or those who want to maximize their harvests throughout the year.What is the Quickest Vegetable to Grow?Radishes are among the fastest-growing vegetables, often ready to harvest in just 20-30 days. Their quick germination and speedy growth make them a top choice for new gardeners looking for instant results. Other speedy options include salad leaves, spinach, and microgreens, which can be harvested within a few weeks.Factors that Affect the Growth Speed of a PlantSeveral factors determine how quickly your vegetables will grow. Paying attention to these will help you get the best results:Soil HealthHealthy, nutrient-rich soil encourages rapid growth. Adding compost or well-rotted manure improves fertility while ensuring proper drainage prevents waterlogging, which can slow plant development.Water SourceConsistent watering is crucial for fast-growing vegetables. A steady supply of moisture encourages quick germination and lush growth. However, avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.TemperatureMost quick-growing vegetables thrive in mild temperatures. Spring and autumn are ideal seasons, though some varieties, like spinach and certain radishes, can also grow well in cooler winter conditions.Light SourceSunlight is essential for plant growth. Most fast-growing vegetables require at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. If growing indoors, consider using grow lights to supplement natural light.Fastest Growing Vegetable Varieties18-Day Radish – The Ultimate Speed DemonWhy It’s a Must-GrowYes, you read that right! The 18-day radish is one of the fastest-growing veg you can plant, making it a perfect choice for beginners and impatient gardeners alike. With minimal effort, you’ll get a crunchy, peppery harvest in under three weeks.How to GrowSow seeds directly into well-draining soil or a deep container, spacing them about 2cm apart. Keep the soil consistently moist, and within days, you’ll see little shoots appearing. Thin them out if they’re overcrowded to ensure they develop into plump, tasty roots. .Growing TipsRadishes love the cool weather of spring and autumn, so avoid sowing in the peak of summer. If your radishes turn out more leaves than roots, they may be too close together—give them space to bulk up. Succession sow every 10 days for a continuous supply. Shop Radish Seeds Lettuce – The Cut-and-Come-Again HeroWhy It’s a Must-GrowIf you want a crop that keeps on giving, loose-leaf lettuce is your best friend. It’s one of the fastest-growing greens, often ready to pick in just three weeks. Plus, you can keep harvesting from the same plants for months!How to GrowSow seeds directly into containers or garden beds and lightly cover with soil. Keep them well-watered, and within a week, you’ll see little seedlings popping up. Choose varieties like ‘Salad Bowl’ or ‘Lollo Rosso’ for quick growth and repeat harvesting. .Growing TipsKeep lettuce cool and shaded during hot weather to prevent bolting (going to seed too soon). Water regularly, as dry soil can lead to bitter leaves. For a continuous harvest, sow seeds every two weeks. Shop Lettuce Seeds Microgreens – The Ultimate Instant CropWhy It’s a Must-GrowThe absolute fastest crop on this list—microgreens can be ready to eat in just 7–10 days! These tiny nutrient-packed greens are perfect for small spaces, even growing happily on a windowsill.How to GrowScatter seeds thickly over damp compost in a shallow tray and press them lightly into the soil. Keep them moist and in a bright location. Once the first true leaves appear, snip them at the base and enjoy! .Growing TipsNo need for fancy equipment—old food containers work well as microgreen trays. Use fast-growing seeds like mustard, radish, or pea shoots for quick results. Keep trays in good light to avoid leggy, weak stems. Shop Microgreen Seeds Pak Choi – The Stir-Fry SaviourWhy It’s a Must-GrowPak choi is a super speedy grower, often harvestable as baby leaves in just three weeks. They’re perfect for adding a kick to salads or stir-fries.How to GrowSow directly into the ground or containers and keep well-watered. They thrive in partial shade, making them great for tricky garden corners. .Growing TipsPick young leaves for a milder flavour, or let them mature for more crunch. Keep an eye out for slugs—they love Asian greens as much as we do! Water consistently to prevent plants from bolting too soon. Shop Pak Choi Seeds Courgettes – The Bumper Crop Beast Why It’s a Must-GrowCourgettes might take a little longer to start producing, but once they do, they don’t stop! Expect your first baby courgettes in as little as six weeks, and the more you harvest, the more they produce.How to GrowStart seeds indoors or sow them directly into warm soil. These plants love space and sun, so give them plenty of both. .Growing TipsRegular picking encourages more fruit—don’t let them turn into giant marrows! Water deeply at the base to prevent mildew on leaves. If growing in pots, use a large container (at least 30cm wide) for best results. Shop Courgette Seeds Micro Tomatoes – Tiny but MightyWhy It’s a Must-GrowUnlike regular tomatoes, micro varieties start fruiting in just 50 days! Perfect for containers, hanging baskets, or even a sunny windowsill.How to GrowSow seeds indoors, then transplant them into pots once they have a few true leaves. Keep them in a warm, sunny spot. .Growing TipsNo need for staking—micro tomatoes stay compact! Water consistently and feed with a tomato fertilizer for the best harvest. Pick regularly to encourage continuous fruiting. Shop Micro Tomato Seeds Dwarf Beans – Pocket-Sized and ProductiveWhy It’s a Must-GrowDwarf beans are a space-saving dream, cropping heavily in just 6–8 weeks. They’re perfect for containers and don’t need staking.How to GrowSow seeds directly in warm soil, about 5cm deep. Keep well-watered, and they’ll reward you with tender green pods. .Growing TipsPick pods young for the sweetest flavour. Plant in succession for continuous harvests. Water deeply, especially in dry spells. Shop Bean Seeds Quick Growing HerbsIf you love cooking with fresh herbs, you’ll be pleased to know that some varieties grow incredibly quickly. Basil, coriander, and dill can be ready for harvest within a few weeks. Mint, while known for its vigorous spreading, has a new non-invasive variety now available HERE that won’t take over your garden. Shop Herb Seeds Start Planting Today for a Year of Successful Growing with She Grows VegFast-growing vegetables are the perfect way to kickstart your gardening journey. Whether you have a full garden or just a few pots on a balcony, these crops will reward you with quick, delicious results. Check out our sowing calendar for the best times to plant, and explore our range of fast-growing seeds to get started today! Meet the author Nelly Nelly works in the She Grows Veg marketing department and is an incredible cook! She's learning how to grow veg fast in her very own container garden. Her favourites so far are the Dwarf Sunflower called 'Sunspot' and our Dwarf Pea called 'Tom Thumb'. Previous What Vegetable Seeds To Sow In March Next Dealing with Fungus Gnats – Naturally!
