Growing your own vegetables sounds intimidating at first, but a lot of veg plants are actually pretty easy once you get going. You don’t need a giant garden or years of experience either. A few pots, some sunlight, water, and mild emotional attachment is usually enough to start.

Here are some of the best beginner friendly vegetables to grow over summer:

Tomatoes

One of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to grow. Cherry tomatoes especially are great for beginners and can produce loads through summer.

They love:

• Sunlight
• Regular watering
• Support from a cane or trellis

Gardener’s Delight and Tumbling Tom are brilliant beginner varieties.

Lettuce

Fast growing, easy, and perfect for pots or raised beds. You can pick leaves little by little instead of harvesting the whole plant at once.

Great if you enjoy pretending you’re self-sufficient after growing three leaves for a sandwich.

Radishes

Probably one of the quickest vegetables you can grow. Some varieties are ready in around 4 weeks, which is ideal if you want fast results without staring at compost for two months wondering if anything’s happening.

Courgettes

Courgettes are surprisingly easy and very productive. One healthy plant can give loads of vegetables through summer.

Fair warning though, they start slowly then suddenly produce enough courgettes to make you question your life choices.

Spring Onions

Low maintenance, easy to grow, and great in containers. They don’t take up much room and are ideal for beginners wanting something simple.

Herbs

Not technically vegetables, but honestly one of the best places to start. Basil, mint, parsley, thyme, and chives are all beginner friendly and useful in the kitchen.

Peas

Easy to grow and satisfying to harvest. They enjoy climbing support and are great if you’ve got a sunny fence or small trellis.

Potatoes

Potatoes are brilliant for beginners because they grow well in bags, containers, or the ground. Digging them up at the end feels weirdly exciting every single time.