Love having fresh greens on hand? With the right crops and a little planning, you can enjoy leafy harvests in every season—even without a big backyard. Many greens thrive in containers, raised beds, and even windowsills.
These 11 easy-to-grow crops are perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. They grow fast, produce often, and keep your meals fresh year-round.
Lettuce (Loose-Leaf Varieties)
Loose-leaf lettuces like ‘Black Seeded Simpson’ or ‘Red Sails’ are quick to grow and perfect for cut-and-come-again harvesting. Plant them in cool weather, and enjoy tender salads in as little as 3–4 weeks.
Spinach
Spinach loves the cool temperatures of spring and fall. It’s nutrient-packed, fast-growing, and great for everything from salads to smoothies. Grow it in containers or garden beds for multiple harvests per season.
Kale
Hardy and cold-tolerant, kale keeps going even through light frost—and it sweetens in cooler temps. Varieties like ‘Lacinato’ or ‘Dwarf Blue Curled’ can grow nearly year-round in many zones.
Arugula
This peppery green grows quickly and adds a kick to salads and sandwiches. Arugula thrives in cooler months and is ready to harvest in just 20–30 days from seed.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a colorful and productive green that handles heat and cold better than most. Harvest the outer leaves as needed, and the plant will keep producing for months.
Mustard Greens
If you like a little spice, mustard greens are for you. They're fast-growing, great in stir-fries or soups, and can tolerate some heat and cold, making them perfect for shoulder seasons.
Mâche (Corn Salad)
A cool-season favorite in Europe, mâche has tender, nutty-flavored leaves and grows well in early spring or fall. It even tolerates light frost and works beautifully in containers.
Tatsoi
This mild Asian green forms a rosette of spoon-shaped leaves and grows well in cool weather. Tatsoi is ideal for salads, sautéing, or soups, and it can handle some frost without issue.
Collard Greens
Collards are southern staples that are surprisingly hardy. They grow well in spring and fall and can even overwinter in mild climates. The leaves are rich in nutrients and great cooked or raw.
Microgreens
You don’t need a garden to grow microgreens—just a sunny windowsill. These baby greens grow from seeds like radish, broccoli, or beet, and are ready to harvest in under two weeks.
Claytonia (Miner’s Lettuce)
This delicate green thrives in cool, shady spots and is one of the easiest to grow in early spring or fall. Its mild, slightly sweet flavor makes it a great addition to mixed salads.
Fresh greens don’t have to be a seasonal luxury. With the right mix of crops, you can enjoy flavorful, homegrown leaves all year long. Whether you're gardening outdoors, indoors, or somewhere in between—these easy greens are always in season.
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