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Edible Gardens: Best Plants, Tips + Ideas for Your Landscape

INSIDE: Discover the benefits of growing fresh food in this guide to edible gardens. Get vegetable garden design and edible landscaping tips + ideas for raised beds!


Edible gardening is a great way to grow your own fresh fruits and vegetables while also beautifying your outdoor space.

Whether you have a small balcony, a large backyard, or a community garden plot, there are plenty of ways to create an edible landscape.

What is an edible garden?

An edible garden is a garden focused on food production and includes plants that are safe to eat, such as fruits and berries, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers.

It doesn’t have to be big; you can start with a small number of pots or even plant an herb garden in a window box.

When you’re new, it’s best to start with easy-to-grow vegetables.

That’s why I’ve included a list of beginner-friendly vegetables on this page. Keep reading to see my top picks!

What are some easy-to-grow edible garden plants?

The top ten easiest vegetables to grow are:

  1. Radishes
  2. Beans
  3. Beets
  4. Swiss chard
  5. Spinach
  6. Kale
  7. Lettuce
  8. Peas
  9. Summer squash
  10.  Winter squash

What is the easiest edible to grow?

The easiest edible plant to grow is radishes. The seeds are large and easy to plant. And they germinate quickly. Radishes aren’t too fussy about growing conditions, which makes them perfect for first-time gardeners.

What is the fastest-growing edible plant?

Leaf lettuce is the fastest-growing garden vegetable. You can start harvesting lettuce leaves as soon as they’re large enough for a salad, which can take as little as 21 days.

Learn how to grow these edible garden plants

Have limited space? Square foot gardening or growing in raised beds are popular options for small spaces. They allow you to grow more produce in less space.

kale growing in a square foot garden

How to Grow Kale in Your Square Foot Garden [Step-by-Step]

I never understood the appeal of kale until a fellow gardener (who I can only describe as a kale whisperer) showed me his kale. He had two varieties growing side by side: one was a crinkly leafed, Siberian kale, the other, a Tuscan kale with elongated, bumpy leaves. He pointed…
spinach growing in a square foot garden

How to Grow Tons of Fresh Spinach [Even If You Don’t Have Much Space]

Thanks to the popularity of square foot gardening, the idea of growing food in a small and efficient space has taken hold. And spinach is one of the best vegetables to get you started with square foot gardening. Spinach is an easy-to-grow salad green that produces large yields of vitamin-rich,…

Tips for getting started with edible plants

Edible gardening is a great way to grow your own fresh fruits and vegetables while also beautifying your outdoor space.

  • Start by increasing your soil fertility.
  • Then decide what edible plants you want to grow. 
  • Don’t forget that there are also many edible flowers you can grow.
  • And there are even edible perennials you can add to your garden.

Whether you have a small balcony or a large backyard, there are plenty of options available to suit your needs.

With some care and attention, you can maintain a healthy and productive edible garden that will provide you with fresh, delicious produce all season long!

You’ll find even more edible gardening help in the shop

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Meet your edible landscaping guide

Cheryl Spencer, certified gardener

Hi, I’m Cheryl Spencer, a Certified Gardener.

Born with a plant addiction that has no known cure, I became a Certified Gardener to help ease the symptoms. Now I write articles and create gardening products that help you save time and money in your garden. I believe you can grow your dream garden and still have time to enjoy it. The good news? Anyone can do it. Start here »

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