Want fresh, homegrown veggies fast? You don’t need to wait all summer to enjoy the fruits (or rather, vegetables) of your labor. Whether you’re a beginner with a few pots or a seasoned gardener looking to maximize your space, there are plenty of quick-growing crops that can go from seed to plate in a matter of weeks.
These 17 vegetables are perfect for planting in early summer—and even if you’re just getting started in June, you’ll be amazed at what you can harvest by July. They’re low-maintenance, heat-tolerant, and most importantly, fast. Many don’t even require a big garden—just a sunny spot and a little love.
From leafy greens that thrive in containers to root veggies that grow surprisingly quick, this list is full of options that give you a delicious head start on your summer harvest. So if you’ve been putting off planting, don’t worry—it’s not too late.
Here are 17 fast-growing vegetables that you can start right now and still enjoy before the end of next month. Let’s get growing!
Radishes
Quick to grow and even quicker to harvest, radishes are a gardener’s delight. These peppery-sweet roots can be pulled from the soil in just a few weeks. Perfect for impatient growers, they thrive in cool weather and can be sown several times through spring. Radishes add a delightful crunch to salads and are versatile enough for pickling. A simple, sandy soil and regular watering are all they need to flourish. Their vivid colors and spicy flavor make them an exciting addition to any dish.
Lettuce
Lettuce is the quintessential salad green, offering fresh leaves in as little as 30 days. It’s a staple for any vegetable garden, adaptable to pots and plots alike. Whether you prefer crisp romaine or tender butterhead, there’s a type for every taste. Lettuce prefers a bit of shade in the summer and consistent moisture. Its mild flavor pairs well with countless foods, making it a versatile kitchen favorite. Regular harvesting encourages regrowth, ensuring a steady supply of greens.
Carrots
Carrots boast a sweet flavor that improves with harvest. These root vegetables enjoy loose, sandy soil that allows them to grow straight and long. Though they take a bit longer than some other vegetables, the wait is worth it. Carrots can be sown early in spring and can withstand a touch of frost. They are a colorful addition to any meal, offering both nutritional benefits and culinary versatility. From crunchy snacks to savory dishes, their uses are boundless.
Spinach
Spinach is a powerhouse of nutrients, thriving in cool seasons. It grows rapidly, offering a rich harvest of dark, leafy greens. Plant it early in spring, and you’ll have fresh leaves to pick by early summer. Spinach prefers moist, nitrogen-rich soil and partial shade. Its mild taste makes it a perfect ingredient for salads, smoothies, and cooked dishes. With regular harvesting, spinach continues to produce throughout the season, ensuring a continuous supply.
Zucchini
Zucchini is known for its prolific yield, making it a star in the summer garden. With just a few plants, you can enjoy an abundance of this versatile squash. It grows vigorously, requiring plenty of space and sunlight. Zucchini can be grilled, baked, or added to a variety of dishes. The plant’s large leaves and bright yellow flowers add visual interest. Regular picking encourages more fruit production, ensuring you have a consistent supply throughout the summer.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers bring a refreshing crunch to summer salads and sandwiches, thriving in warm weather. These vining plants do well with support, climbing trellises or spreading across raised beds. Cucumbers require consistent watering and plenty of sunlight to produce their best fruit. They mature quickly, allowing for multiple harvests throughout the season. Whether eaten fresh or pickled, cucumbers are a garden favorite. With careful attention, they provide a generous yield for months.
Peas
Peas offer sweet, tender pods that are delightful to snack on straight from the vine. These climbing plants thrive in cooler temperatures and can be planted early in spring. Whether you choose snow peas or snap peas, they are easy to grow and can enhance any dish with their sweet flavor. Peas need support to climb and do best with regular watering. Their charming flowers and curling tendrils add a picturesque quality to the garden.
Kale
Kale is celebrated for its resilience and nutritional value. This leafy green can withstand both heat and cold, thriving across seasons. Its robust leaves offer a slightly earthy, sweet taste, perfect for salads, smoothies, and sautés. Kale prefers well-draining soil and ample sunlight but can tolerate partial shade. Regular harvesting encourages new leaf growth, ensuring a continuous supply. With its striking appearance and health benefits, kale is a standout in any garden.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a visual and culinary delight. Its bright, colorful stalks contrast beautifully with deep green leaves, adding a pop of color to any garden. Swiss chard thrives in a variety of soils and can handle both heat and light frost. Its slightly bitter taste mellows with cooking, making it a versatile choice for soups, sautés, and salads. Regular harvesting ensures continuous growth, providing a steady supply of nutritious leaves.
Beets
Beets bring both vibrant color and sweet, earthy flavor to the table. These root vegetables flourish in well-drained soil and can be harvested in just a few weeks for their tender greens. Both the roots and leaves are edible, offering versatility in culinary uses. Beets thrive in cool weather, making them perfect for spring planting. Their rich color and distinct taste add interest to salads and roasted dishes. Regular harvesting ensures a steady supply of fresh produce.
Green Beans
Green beans are a classic garden crop, beloved for their crisp texture and mild flavor. These plants are easy to grow, whether you choose bush or pole varieties. Green beans thrive in sunny spots with well-draining soil. They produce abundantly, allowing for a continuous harvest over the summer months. Fresh from the garden, they are perfect for steaming, stir-frying, or enjoying raw. Their ease of growth and prolific nature make them a gardener’s favorite.
Scallions
Scallions, or green onions, are perfect for those who crave a mild onion flavor without the fuss of bulb onions. They grow quickly and are ready to harvest in about a month, making them ideal for impatient gardeners. Scallions thrive in various soil types and prefer full sun. Their slender stalks add a spicy kick to salads, soups, and stir-fries. Regular harvesting encourages regrowth, ensuring a continual supply. With minimal care, scallions provide maximum flavor.
Bok Choy
Bok choy is a staple in Asian cuisine, offering a crisp texture and subtle flavor. This leafy green grows rapidly and is ready to harvest just weeks after planting. Bok choy prefers cool weather and can tolerate some shade. It thrives in rich, well-drained soil. Its tender leaves and crunchy stems are perfect for stir-fries and soups. With regular care, bok choy can produce multiple harvests, adding a fresh element to your culinary repertoire.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a nutrient-dense vegetable, offering a rich supply of vitamins and minerals. This cool-season crop thrives in fertile, well-drained soil. Broccoli heads develop slowly, but the wait is rewarded with crisp, flavorful produce. Plant it early in spring for summer harvests. Its florets can be steamed, roasted, or eaten raw, providing a versatile addition to meals. Regular watering and pest management ensure healthy growth and bountiful yields.
Turnips
Turnips offer crisp roots and spicy greens, making them a dual-purpose vegetable. They thrive in cool weather and are easy to grow, even in challenging soils. Turnips mature quickly, allowing for multiple planting cycles through the spring and summer. Both the roots and leaves are edible, adding variety to your meals. Whether roasted, mashed, or sautéed, turnips provide a unique flavor profile. Their resilience and ease make them a garden favorite.
Cabbage
Cabbage is a robust vegetable, known for its dense heads and crunchy texture. It thrives in cool weather, making it ideal for early planting. Cabbage prefers fertile, well-drained soil and consistent moisture. Its leaves can be eaten raw, fermented, or cooked, offering a wide range of culinary applications. From coleslaw to sauerkraut, cabbage is a kitchen staple. Regular care and pest control ensure healthy development and a rewarding harvest.
Arugula
Arugula offers a peppery punch to salads and dishes, thriving in the cool seasons of spring and fall. Known for its rapid growth, this leafy green is ready to harvest just weeks after planting. Arugula prefers a bit of shade and well-draining soil. Its distinct flavor adds a gourmet touch to meals, making it a favorite among chefs and food enthusiasts. Regular harvesting keeps arugula fresh and encourages new growth, ensuring a continuous supply.