5 Easy-to-Grow Vegetables and Herbs for Beginner Gardeners

Does it seem like everyone you know wants to start a garden lately? Whether that’s due to rising food costs, interest in exploring greater self-sufficiency, the desire to know more about where our food comes from or just wanting to spend more time outside, we support it: It’s never a bad time to get into gardening. And often one of the first questions we hear from beginner gardeners: What vegetables and herbs are easiest to grow?

How to decide which vegetables to grow

While there are some pretty universal easy-to-grow plants, so much of gardening success is dependent on your specific situation. To get started, here are some questions to ask yourself that will help inform your choices.

Where are you located?

The USDA hardiness zones distinguish different growing regions in the U.S. based on 30-year averages of the lowest annual winter temperatures at specific locations. Knowing what zone you’re in will help you determine which plants will survive in your specific location and when to plant them to ensure that they thrive. (Take note, the hardiness zone map has shifted in recent years.) Beyond average temperatures, you’ll also want to consider variables like rainfall (or lack thereof), invasive plants and other challenges posed by climate change.