Easiest Organic Vegetables to Grow

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner who has decided to go organic, you may want to try your hand with the easiest organic vegetables to grow first. Once you've successfully harvested your first organic veggies you can add to your garden plan until it is eventually 100 percent organic.

When you pick your garden plot for your organic garden it will not be much different from the traditional vegetable garden. You'll want to choose an area that receives at least a half day of full sun that drains well.

To prepare the area:

• weed
• till
• remove debris
• test your soil

Once you've tested your soil, you'll add materials to build it with organic matter including:

• compost
• bone meal or rock phosphate
• greensand (supplies nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium)
• lime or sulfur (in order to fine-tune the soil's pH as needed)

If your soil has high clay content add about an inch of sharp sand to the soil along with your fertilizers and organic matter. Rake the soil forming rows or beds and then let is sit for a month or more to let the nutrients set before you plant.

Materials like ground bark make good organic mulches to cover your garden plot. Choose a material that decomposes and can be worked into the garden as it breaks down. Compost is a rich source of organic fertilizer than can also be added to your garden as mulch once it is broken down.

To try you hand at organic gardening, choose from this list of some of the easiest organic vegetables to grow. Be sure to check your climate zones to know when to plant in your area.

Tomatoes make a good choice for your first organic garden because they grow well in most soils. Of the various varieties cherry tomatoes are the easiest to grow. Because tomatoes don't like cold weather, you'll want to start your plants indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost. Don't transplant plant them outside until the threat of frost has passed. Space plants 20 inches apart, and if you plan to stake your cherry tomatoes, put the stake in place first to avoid the risk of damage to the roots. Give them plenty of water and add a thick layer of mulch to help the soil retain moisture. As fruit starts to appear, spray foliar fertilizer such as organic liquid manure on the plants.

Radishes also thrive in all kinds of climates and will actually grow year round if you live in a temperate zone. Other benefits of choosing radishes for your organic garden include:

• Mature quickly
• Hearty and rarely have pest or disease problems
• If you prepare your soil properly, all they need is water

Zucchini is another popular easy-to-grow choice. This prolific vegetable is sown into a mound in late spring after the threat of frost has passed. To help prevent powdery mildew, train your plants to climb a fence or trellis. Keep them watered and about every 4 weeks add a side dressing of organic fertilizer.

Swiss chard, also known as Silverbeet, is another of the easiest vegetables to grow organically. It yields a large amount of produce in a short amount of time. Chard will grow all year round in temperate climates while spinach grows best in cooler zones. Both types of plants must be kept well watered in hot weather.

Mulching with compost helps retain moisture and to keep weeds under control. Add organic fertilizer each month and occasionally use organic liquid fertilizer. As the leaves grow big enough to harvest, pick them from the outside and leave 5-6 stalks at the center for continued growth.

The easiest of the various types of beans to grow are bush and dwarf varieties. Beans are another veggie that like warm weather and should be planted after the last frost. Plant organic seeds about an inch apart in moist soil and apply fertilizer along the row, but don't let it touch your seeds. Rows should be about 24 inches apart. At the end of the season, if you let the plants dry completely, you can pick the pods for next year's seeds and store them in a dry place.

Carrots are another good choice for the beginning organic gardener because they need little attention. They grow underground, are hearty and tend to be pest free. Because they are roots, a healthy, light soil is important for a good crop. Add well-processed compost, mix it deeply into the soil and apply bone meal to keep the soil loose.

Peas prefer a higher pH than most vegetables. They provide a heavy yield if you give them the proper nutrients. Work lime and well-processed compost into the soil. Peas should be planted anywhere from late summer through late winter (depending where you live). Plant seeds about two inches apart and install a frame or trellis on which the peas can climb. Use organic mulch to help control weeds. Feed your peas with organic liquid fertilizer about once a month and keep the fruit picked regularly to increase your yield.

If you don't have space for a garden, you can grow these easy to grow organic vegetables in a container garden. Either way, always begin with certified organic seeds or plants from a trusted source. Remember to keep your plants watered adequately and buy varieties that are disease resistant.

Spend time in your garden every day. Keep up with new weeds and watch for inspects or signs of disease so that they can be controlled.

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