5 Easy to Grow Vegetables for the Beginner Gardener

There are many reasons to grow your own vegetables this summer. They taste better than storebought and you can't beat the price. Some people are intimidated or don't know where to start and therefore miss out. If you are unsure of what to plant, try some of these. They are easy to grow and don't require much attention other than water, weeding and love.

Tomato - it seems as though everyone starts with tomatoes. You can buy seedlings from a local nursery or start your own from seeds. Set them out as soon as the soil warms up and danger of frost has passed. Tomatoes like even, constant watering everyday instead of weekly.

Leaf Lettuce - you can't get easier than this cool weather plant. As soon as the soil can be worked, simply sprinkle on the seeds and use fingers to rake soil over the seeds. Keep the soil moist and within 2-3 weeks you'll be enjoying homegrown salad. Simply cut or tear off about an inch above ground and the plant will keep growing and be ready to harvest again.

Peas - plant in early spring as soon as soil can be worked. Peas grow quickly and like a trellis or cage to climb. Sugar snap is a popular variety.

Radish - another cool weather vegetable. Plant in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. You can also plant again in the fall once the weather turns cool and the days are shorter. This is one of the easiest and fastest growing plants - perfect for beginners!

Summer Squash - even novices will have bumper crops of this hardy and prolific summer staple. Plant as soon as the weather warms up. The bush varieties take up less space than the sprawling vine varieties.

All of these vegetables grow wonderfully in containers, as well. With just a little work you can enjoy homegrown goodness this summer.