16 Fastest Growing Vegetables for Your Garden

Knowing which vegetables grow the fastest will help you collect your produce faster, whether you’re running behind schedule this season or you’re just itching to start cooking with the produce from your edible garden. Tomatoes and peppers are known for having lengthy growing seasons, but if you want to go from seed to salad as soon as possible, your closest buddies will be arugula, radishes, and spinach.

If you plant vegetables that grow quickly in the spring, you may be able to enjoy fresh produce as soon as the weather warms up, but if you plant them in the fall, you may be able to collect some more vegetables before the first freeze. Additionally, planting some vegetables that develop quickly can help you pass the time until the remainder of your crops are ready. You may have fresh vegetables from your garden all summer long if you plant a few seeds every other week.

The following sixteen plants can be planted early in the growing season and harvested in eight to ten weeks.

Cress (Lepidium sativum)

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Cress is a flavorful green with a distinctive peppery bite, valued for its simplicity and quick turnaround of 15 to 20 days from seed to harvest. Often grown as a microgreen during winter, cress thrives in a shallow tray with damp paper towels. Spread the seeds evenly and cover with plastic wrap to maintain humidity. Germination usually occurs within a few days. Harvest when the leaves are about 2 inches long. For a steady supply, sow seeds weekly. Note that outdoor-grown cress may develop a stronger flavor during hot weather.

Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil Needs: No soil needed

Radishes (Raphanus sativus)

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Radishes are among the quickest vegetables to grow, taking only 21 days from planting to harvest. They are particularly suited for children’s gardens due to their rapid growth. Opt for heirloom varieties to enjoy diverse colors, shapes, and flavors. Thin seedlings after they emerge to give the roots ample space to develop. Radishes grow best directly sown outdoors rather than indoors.

Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy

Arugula (Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa)

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Arugula seeds typically germinate in 7 to 14 days, with leaves ready for harvest in 21 to 28 days. This leafy green has a mildly peppery taste, perfect for salads or as a substitute for basil in pesto. Sow the seeds directly into the soil and trim the leaves when they reach the desired size. Arugula’s shallow roots make it suitable for container gardening. For sweeter, tender leaves, harvest earlier.

Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil Needs: Humus-rich, well-drained
Tip: During summer, plant arugula in a shadier area to prevent it from bolting too quickly.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

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Spinach is a nutritious vegetable that thrives in cooler weather, maturing from seed in 28 to 42 days. Grow it in full sun or partial shade for optimal results. Spinach can be harvested multiple times using the “cut and come again” method. Cut older leaves and allow the younger ones to grow for future harvests. If you cut leaves about an inch above the base, the plant may produce a new set of leaves.

Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Loamy, neutral

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

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Lettuce can be ready for harvest in just 30 days from sowing. This adaptable green is popular among seasonal gardeners and hydroponic enthusiasts alike. Lettuce prefers cool weather, making early spring and fall ideal planting times. It can also be grown in hydroponic systems for year-round availability.

Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
Soil Needs: Loamy, rich, well-drained, acidic, neutral

Turnips (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa)

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Turnips are a classic vegetable, offering a rewarding harvest approximately 45 days after planting. Both the roots and leaves are edible, though not all varieties are equally good for both. Turnips are relatively tolerant of various temperatures and can be grown throughout the growing season in many areas. Harvest roots when they reach 2–3 inches in diameter and pick leaves while they are still young.

Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy, slightly acidic to neutral

Mustard Greens (Brassica juncea)

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Mustard greens mature from seed in 45 to 50 days. These greens are sensitive to heat, thriving best in early spring and late summer or in shaded conditions during peak heat. They require consistent watering to avoid bitterness and can tolerate light frost. Harvest when the leaves are large enough to eat. For a continuous supply, consider growing them indoors using a hydroponic system.

Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil Needs: Sandy, clay, well-drained, moist

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo)

Zucchini is a summer favorite, growing to harvest in 45 to 55 days. Its rapid growth can overwhelm gardeners, resulting in an abundance of zucchinis unless shared with others. While many zucchini plants spread widely, some varieties are suitable for smaller spaces.

Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral

Bok Choy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis)

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Bok choy, also known as pak choi, is a fast-growing Chinese cabbage that can be harvested in 45 to 60 days, depending on the weather and variety. It comes in two types: baby bok choy, which grows under 10 inches tall, and standard bok choy, which can reach up to 2 feet. For best results, plant in partial shade but it can also tolerate full sun. Consistent watering is crucial to prevent bolting. Bok choy can also be grown in hydroponic systems for year-round production.

Sun Exposure: Partial shade
Soil Needs: Rich, well-draining

Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica)

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Kale is known for its cold tolerance and is ready for harvest in about 50 to 55 days. It can often be grown nearly year-round, especially in hydroponic gardens. Kale planted in spring may take a bit longer to mature compared to kale planted in late summer or early fall. Ensure consistent watering to avoid bitterness, and harvest outer leaves while allowing the plant to continue producing.

Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil Needs: Loamy

Broccoli Rabe (Brassica ruvo)

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Broccoli rabe, or rapini, grows best in full sun and is ready to harvest in 50 to 60 days. Despite its resemblance to broccoli, it is more closely related to turnips and has a somewhat bitter taste. To enjoy the best flavor, harvest the clusters as soon as they form, before they flower. The young leaves and stems are also edible and taste best when young.

Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Nutrient-rich, neutral pH

Green Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Green Beans at Salt Lake City Farmers Market  

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Green beans can be harvested between 50 and 65 days after planting, depending on the variety. They generally thrive from May to October and are relatively low-maintenance with minimal pest issues. If growing pole beans, consider using a trellis for support.

Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Loamy, slightly acidic to neutral

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)

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Cucumbers are ready to pick in 50 to 70 days. These crisp, refreshing vegetables are simple to grow and should be harvested when they reach 3 to 8 inches in length. To avoid pests like cucumber beetles, choose pest-resistant varieties such as the Asian cucumber, ‘Straight Eight,’ and Tasty Jade.’

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Needs: Loose, well-drained, slightly acidic

Beets (Beta vulgaris)

Red Beets  

Photo © Melanie Major / Getty Images

Beets can be harvested in 50 to 70 days. Sow seeds early in the spring as soon as the soil warms, or in the fall when temperatures cool. Beets are ready when their roots are about the size of a golf ball. They are easy to grow and generally not prone to pests, making them an excellent choice for novice gardeners.

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial sun
Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy, silt, moist, well-drained, neutral

Carrots (Daucus carota)

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Carrots are versatile and grow quickly, yielding a harvest in 50 to 75 days. These root vegetables are usually harvested within their first year before they overwinter. They are compact and suitable for both garden beds and containers. Germination occurs within 10 to 21 days.

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Needs: Loose, well-draining, slightly acidic

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Okra is ideal for hot summer climates, with pods ready to harvest in 60 to 70 days. Plant okra in the spring once soil temperatures reach 65 to 70 degrees. Apart from its culinary uses in stews and frying, okra adds visual appeal to gardens with its attractive flowers.

Sun Exposure: Full

Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained, acidic