VEGETABLES
KALE
Why: Kale is one of the easiest vegetables you can plant. It provides lots of nutrients like vitamins A and C and it is very rich in iron. It also has a fun curly texture for children to munch on!
When: Early spring or autumn.
Where: Kale grows best in well-drained soil in full sunlight but it will tolerate partial shade as well. You may plant them either directly in the garden or start early indoors and then transplanting it later. Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep and space them 3 inches apart. After ~2 weeks or they have grown to 4 to 5 inches tall, thin them to 12 inches apart. Space each row 18 to 24 inches apart.
Care: Water them regularly, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches of water every week. The soil should stay moist as it helps the kale tasting nice and crisp. You may mix fertilizer into the top 3 to 4 inches of soil. It would be a good idea to mulch the soil to helps keep the soil stay cool and moist. Kale thrives in cooler weather, the ideal soil temperature is 16 to 18◦C. Believe it or not; light frost actually improves the flavor while warm temperatures cause the kale to bolt.
DTM: 55 to 75 days for direct sow and 30 to 40 days for transplants.
Harvest: Once leaves are the size of your hand, it is ready to be harvested and it will continue to grow even after you harvest. Harvest by picking the oldest (bottom) leaves first with using either a pair of sharp scissors or by gently tugging the leaves off from the stalk.
LETTUCE
Why: Lettuce are great for salads. Freshly harvested and homegrown lettuce are much more nutritious in vitamin A and potassium (and more delicious) than store bought lettuce.
When: Late spring to late fall.
Where: Grows the fastest in full sun but it will also grow in partial shade. Direct sow or start indoors and transplant. Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep. How far apart each seed should be sown depends on the type of lettuce (check your seed packet for further details). Space each row 12 to 18 inches apart. Heading lettuce will need to be thin 12 inches apart while loose leaf lettuce will need to be thin 8 to 10 inches apart.
Care: Aim to water your lettuce about twice a week depending on where you live. What is special about lettuce is that you can tell if a lettuce needs watering just by looking at it – if the leaves look like they are wilting then add a little bit of water. It will be smart to mulch around your lettuce to keep the soil’s moisture. Lettuce will bolt if temperature gets too warm.
DTM: Most types of lettuce will mature in 45 to 55 days while other types such as romaine may take 75 to 85 days.
Harvest: You may choose to harvest the outer leaves for continual harvest or harvest the entire lettuce head by cutting off an inch above the soil where it will keep growing.
SUGAR SNAP PEAS
Why: Sugar snap peas are a wonderful snack, it can be eaten both raw (especially paired with hummus!) or cooked. It also a good source of protein and contains high fiber content.
When: Early spring or midsummer.
Where: Peas are best sown directed in the garden as they have fragile root system (which will not be good for transplanting). Sow seeds 1 to 1 ½ inches deep and 2 inches apart. Space each row 18 to 24 inches apart. Do not thin peas. The ideal temperature is 10 to 20◦C. Once temperatures get above 27◦C, pods will stop producing and may start to become tough.
Care: They thrive in cool and sunny weather but it will grow just fine in partial shade as well. Water not too much or too little, but just enough so that soil does not dry out. Peas also do not need any additional fertilization as this will result in less pea production.
DTM: 60 to 70 days.
Harvest: Peas will be ready to harvest when they look bright green and plump. To harvest, simplify hold the vine with one hand and pull off the pea with the other. Do not leave the peas to overripe as it will become tough if it is left to ripe too long. Did you know peas taste the sweetest right as they are picked since the sugar in the peas will turn into starch just hours after harvesting?
spinach
Why: Spinach is high in iron and calcium and it is also one of the best source of vitamins A, K, and C. It is also very fast growing and it will be one of the first plants to be harvested in springtime.
When: Early spring and fall.
Where: It is best to direct sow spinach in the garden. Sow seeds ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart. Space each row 12 to 14 inches apart. Once it has grown to about 2 inches, thin them at least 3 inches apart. The ideal temperature is 5 to 20◦C.
Care: It grows best in cool temperature in full sun to partial shade. The seeds may not germinate if the weather is too warm and spinach will bolt once it gets too hot. Water them regularly, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches of water every week. A layer of mulch will help keep the soil cool and moist.
DTM: 45 days.
Harvest: As soon as you see the plant have 5 or 6 leaves that are around 4 inches long, you may begin harvesting by harvesting the outer leaves for a “cut and come again” method. You may also harvest the entire plant by cutting it off one inch above the soil at the base. Do not let spinach to ripe for too long as it will become bitter.
radish
Why: Radishes are one of the easiest and fastest vegetables to grow – perfect for impatient children who wants to see fast results. It offers a unique and crisp taste that adds a little something special to any dish.
When: Early spring or fall, but it can easily be grown all season long as well.
Where: Radishes are best sown directly in the garden. Sow seeds ½ to 1 inch deep and 1 inch apart. Space each row 12 to 18 inches apart. Once seedlings have began to sprout to about 1 or 2 inches tall, thin to 2 inches apart. The ideal temperature is 18 to 24◦C.
Care: It grows best in cool weather in full sunlight exposure. Radishes need just enough water, not too much or too little, for it to grow properly. Keep the soil well moist by putting a layer of mulch around it.
DTM: 4 weeks.
Harvest: It is ready to be harvested once you see the top of the radish peak above the soil. You may also gently push the soil away from the radish to check if it is ready. It should have grown to about 1 inch in diameter. Do not leave the radish to ripe in the ground for too long as it will taste bitter afterwards. Radish greens are also completely edible as well.