If you’re looking for a garden that delivers fresh, homegrown produce in the shortest time possible, a “Fast Food” Garden is the way to go! By selecting these quick-maturing varieties and using smart planting strategies, you can enjoy harvests in just a few weeks. Whether you're planting in early spring, mid-summer, or even for a fall crop, this guide will help you design a productive garden that keeps the fresh food coming.
Disclaimer: The days to maturity listed for each plant are based on ideal growing conditions. Actual growth rates may vary depending on factors like temperature, daylight hours, and soil quality. In cooler weather or shorter days, plants may take longer to mature than expected.
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Fast Frost Hardy Plants to Direct Sow Before Last Frost
Don't forget you can plant these again in August or September for a fall harvest! Kale and other hardy plants can continue producing into December if conditions aren't too extreme, or if you provide a bit of cover.
Pink Beauty Radish and Horus Radish - 26 Days from seed
Sugar Snap Peas - 65 Days from seed
Baby Greens (any mustard greens, lettuce, arugula or kale) - 20 Days from seed
Shanghai Bok Choy - 45 Days from seed
Flat of Egypt Beets - 50 Days from seed (can harvest the greens around 20 days)
Rainbow Swiss Chard - 55 Days from seed
Fast Plants to Plant After Last Frost
Centennial Rocket Tomato - 50 Days from transplant
Provider Beans - 50 Days from seed
Costata Romanesco Zucchini - 52 Days from seed
Farthest North Tomato - 45 Days from transplant
Marketmore Cucumber - 58 Days from seed
Here are some more tips related to fast harvests and what to do with the space after your first wave of harvest is done.
Cut and Come Again
The cut-and-come-again method is a fantastic way to keep a continuous supply of fresh greens like lettuce and kale without needing to replant. Instead of harvesting the entire plant at once, you trim the outer leaves while allowing the center to keep growing. Or for baby greens, you harvest the larger leaves or cut the top layer, and leave at least 1/3rd of the plant standing. This encourages multiple harvests from a single planting, maximizing yield in a small space. By using this method, you can enjoy tender, nutrient-rich greens for weeks, making it perfect for home gardeners who want a steady supply of fresh produce with minimal effort. Regular harvesting also promotes new growth, keeping plants healthy and productive throughout the season.
Succession Planting
Succession planting is a smart gardening strategy that maximizes harvests by continuously planting new crops as others are harvested. This approach ensures a steady supply of fresh produce throughout the growing season, making the most of limited space. By staggering plantings every few weeks, replacing early-season crops with heat-loving summer varieties, and using fast-maturing plants between slower-growing ones, gardeners can keep their beds productive all season long.
Do you plan on trying some of these 'fast food' varieties in your garden this year? Which have been most successful for you? Share your comments below.
