Vegetable Growing Guide
30+ vegetable profiles with planting guides, companion plants, pest management, and harvest indicators.
Tomatoes
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hrs) | Water: Consistent, 1-2 inches/week
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8 | Spacing: 24-36 inches | Days to Harvest: 60-85 days
Companions: Basil, Carrots, Marigolds, Parsley
Bad Companions: Brassicas, Fennel, Corn
Pests: Tomato hornworm, Aphids, Whiteflies
Harvest Signs: Firm, fully colored, slight give when squeezed. Harvest before first frost.
Storage: Never refrigerate unripe tomatoes. Store stem-side down at room temp. Ripe tomatoes last 5-7 days.
Determinate varieties grow to a set height (great for containers). Indeterminate keep growing all season and need staking/caging. Prune suckers on indeterminate types for bigger fruit. Watch for blight (brown spots on leaves) and blossom end rot (caused by inconsistent watering/calcium).
Peppers (Sweet)
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hrs) | Water: 1-2 inches/week
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8 | Spacing: 18-24 inches | Days to Harvest: 60-90 days
Companions: Basil, Tomatoes, Carrots, Onions
Bad Companions: Fennel, Kohlrabi
Pests: Aphids, Pepper maggots, Flea beetles
Harvest Signs: Green peppers can be picked any time at full size. Wait for color change (red, yellow, orange) for sweeter flavor.
Storage: Refrigerate in crisper drawer for 1-2 weeks. Freeze chopped for cooking.
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Love warm soil (65°F+). Pinch first flowers to encourage stronger plant. Hot peppers: Scoville scale ranges from mild (poblano, 1,000 SHU) to extreme (Carolina Reaper, 2.2M SHU).
Peppers (Hot)
Difficulty: intermediate | Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hrs) | Water: 1-2 inches/week, reduce for hotter peppers
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8 | Spacing: 18-24 inches | Days to Harvest: 70-120 days
Companions: Basil, Tomatoes, Carrots
Bad Companions: Fennel, Kohlrabi
Pests: Aphids, Spider mites, Pepper weevils
Harvest Signs: Most change color when ripe. Jalapenos develop corking (white lines). Use gloves for superhots.
Storage: Dry, pickle, or freeze. String drying works for thin-walled varieties.
Scoville scale: Jalapeno (2,500-8,000), Habanero (100,000-350,000), Ghost Pepper (1M+), Carolina Reaper (2.2M). Slightly stressing plants (less water) can increase heat. Need long warm season or start indoors.
Cucumbers
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hrs) | Water: 1 inch/week, consistent
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 | Spacing: 36-60 inches (bush: 24 in) | Days to Harvest: 50-70 days
Companions: Beans, Peas, Radishes, Sunflowers
Bad Companions: Potatoes, Aromatic herbs
Pests: Cucumber beetles, Squash bugs, Powdery mildew
Harvest Signs: Pick when firm and medium-sized. Oversized cucumbers become bitter and seedy.
Storage: Refrigerate unwashed for up to 1 week. Not suitable for freezing.
Two types: slicing (fresh eating) and pickling. Trellis vining types to save space and reduce disease. Pick frequently to encourage production. Bitter taste often means inconsistent watering.
Zucchini / Summer Squash
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hrs) | Water: 1 inch/week
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5 | Spacing: 36-48 inches | Days to Harvest: 45-65 days
Companions: Corn, Beans, Nasturtiums, Marigolds
Bad Companions: Potatoes
Pests: Squash vine borer, Squash bugs, Powdery mildew
Harvest Signs: Best at 6-8 inches. Check daily — they grow fast! Oversized become woody.
Storage: Refrigerate for up to 1 week. Shred and freeze for baking.
Extremely productive — 2-3 plants feed a family. Hand-pollinate if fruit drops off small (poor pollination). Wrap base of stem with foil to deter vine borers. One of the easiest vegetables for beginners.
Green Beans
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hrs) | Water: 1 inch/week
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 | Spacing: Bush: 4-6 in. Pole: 6-8 in. | Days to Harvest: 50-65 days
Companions: Corn, Cucumbers, Strawberries, Celery
Bad Companions: Onions, Garlic, Fennel
Pests: Mexican bean beetles, Aphids, Bean leaf beetles
Harvest Signs: Pick when pods snap easily, before seeds bulge. Regular picking extends harvest.
Storage: Refrigerate for 1 week. Blanch and freeze for long-term storage.
Bush beans produce all at once (great for canning). Pole beans produce over weeks but need support (6-8 ft poles/trellis). Fix nitrogen in soil — plant before heavy feeders. Direct sow after last frost.
Peas
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun to partial shade | Water: 1 inch/week
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5 | Spacing: 2-4 inches | Days to Harvest: 55-70 days
Companions: Carrots, Radishes, Cucumbers, Beans
Bad Companions: Onions, Garlic
Pests: Aphids, Pea weevils, Powdery mildew
Harvest Signs: Shell peas: pods plump, peas round. Snow peas: flat pods. Sugar snap: plump but crisp.
Storage: Best eaten fresh. Freeze immediately after picking for best quality.
Cool-season crop — plant as early as soil can be worked (4-6 weeks before last frost). Stop producing in heat. Provide trellis/netting for climbing varieties. Fix nitrogen like beans.
Lettuce & Salad Greens
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Partial shade to full sun | Water: Consistent, light watering
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 | Spacing: 6-12 inches (leaf: 4 in) | Days to Harvest: 30-60 days
Companions: Carrots, Radishes, Strawberries, Chives
Bad Companions: Celery, Parsley
Pests: Slugs, Aphids, Rabbits
Harvest Signs: Leaf lettuce: pick outer leaves anytime. Head lettuce: when firm head forms.
Storage: Wash, dry, and refrigerate in damp paper towel inside bag. Lasts 5-10 days.
Cool-season crop — bolts (goes to seed, becomes bitter) in heat above 75°F. Succession plant every 2-3 weeks. Shade cloth extends season. Types: loose-leaf (easiest), romaine, butterhead, crisphead (iceberg). Great for containers.
Carrots
Difficulty: intermediate | Sun: Full sun (some shade OK) | Water: 1 inch/week, even moisture
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8 | Spacing: 2-3 inches | Days to Harvest: 70-80 days
Companions: Tomatoes, Lettuce, Onions, Rosemary
Bad Companions: Dill, Parsnips
Pests: Carrot rust fly, Aphids, Nematodes
Harvest Signs: Shoulders visible above soil at 1/2-3/4 inch diameter. Pull test one first.
Storage: Remove tops. Store in sand in cool place for months, or refrigerate 2-4 weeks.
Need deep, loose, stone-free soil or they fork. Raised beds ideal. Thin seedlings ruthlessly. Seeds are tiny — mix with sand for even sowing. Takes 2-3 weeks to germinate (be patient). Short varieties work in shallow containers.
Radishes
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun to partial shade | Water: Consistent, light
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 | Spacing: 1-2 inches | Days to Harvest: 22-30 days
Companions: Lettuce, Peas, Cucumbers, Carrots
Bad Companions: Hyssop, Grapes
Pests: Flea beetles, Root maggots
Harvest Signs: Pull when shoulders are about 1 inch across. Don't leave too long or they get pithy.
Storage: Remove greens. Refrigerate in plastic bag for 1-2 weeks.
Fastest vegetable from seed to harvest. Perfect for beginners and kids. Great interplanted between slow growers. Spring and fall crop. Winter radishes (daikon) take 60 days.
Beets
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun to partial shade | Water: 1 inch/week
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5 | Spacing: 3-4 inches | Days to Harvest: 55-70 days
Companions: Onions, Lettuce, Cabbage, Bush beans
Bad Companions: Pole beans, Field mustard
Pests: Leaf miners, Flea beetles
Harvest Signs: Shoulders push above soil, 1.5-3 inches diameter. Greens edible at any size.
Storage: Leave 1 inch of stem. Store in cool, humid place for months. Pickle or freeze.
Two crops in one: roots and greens are both edible and nutritious. Each seed cluster produces multiple plants — thin to one. Direct sow. Tolerates light frost. Golden and Chioggia varieties are milder than red.
Onions
Difficulty: intermediate | Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hrs) | Water: 1 inch/week
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 | Spacing: 4-6 inches | Days to Harvest: 90-120 days
Companions: Carrots, Beets, Lettuce, Tomatoes
Bad Companions: Beans, Peas
Pests: Onion maggots, Thrips, Downy mildew
Harvest Signs: Tops fall over and dry. Let cure in sun for 1-2 weeks.
Storage: Cure fully, then store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place for months.
Day-length sensitive: short-day (south), long-day (north), day-neutral (anywhere). Start from sets (easiest), transplants, or seed. Green onions harvest in 60 days. Stop watering when tops start falling.
Garlic
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hrs) | Water: 1 inch/week until June
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 | Spacing: 6 inches | Days to Harvest: 240+ days (fall planted)
Companions: Tomatoes, Peppers, Roses, Fruit trees
Bad Companions: Beans, Peas, Sage
Pests: Nematodes, Onion maggots (rare)
Harvest Signs: Lower 1/3 of leaves brown. Dig — don't pull. Usually July.
Storage: Cure 2-4 weeks in warm, dry, ventilated area. Stores 6-8 months.
Plant individual cloves in FALL, 6 weeks before hard frost. Hardneck: larger cloves, scapes (cut for harvest), shorter storage. Softneck: more cloves, longer storage, no scapes. Mulch heavily in winter.
Broccoli
Difficulty: intermediate | Sun: Full sun (6+ hrs) | Water: 1-1.5 inches/week
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 | Spacing: 18-24 inches | Days to Harvest: 80-100 days
Companions: Beets, Celery, Onions, Potatoes
Bad Companions: Tomatoes, Peppers, Strawberries
Pests: Cabbage worms, Aphids, Cabbage loopers
Harvest Signs: Cut main head when buds tight and dark green, before flowers open. Side shoots follow.
Storage: Refrigerate unwashed for 3-5 days. Blanch and freeze for long-term.
Cool-season brassica. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost for spring crop, or direct sow mid-summer for fall crop. Use row covers to prevent cabbage worms. After cutting main head, side shoots extend harvest for weeks.
Cauliflower
Difficulty: advanced | Sun: Full sun (6+ hrs) | Water: 1-1.5 inches/week, very consistent
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 | Spacing: 18-24 inches | Days to Harvest: 85-100 days
Companions: Beets, Celery, Onions, Spinach
Bad Companions: Tomatoes, Peppers, Strawberries
Pests: Cabbage worms, Aphids, Flea beetles
Harvest Signs: Head 6-8 inches across, compact and white. Don't wait too long or it opens.
Storage: Refrigerate 1 week. Blanch and freeze.
Fussy about temperature — stress causes buttoning (tiny heads). Blanch by tying leaves over head when 2-3 inches to keep white. Fall crop often easier than spring. Needs rich soil and consistent conditions.
Cabbage
Difficulty: intermediate | Sun: Full sun (6+ hrs) | Water: 1-1.5 inches/week
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5 | Spacing: 18-24 inches | Days to Harvest: 70-100 days
Companions: Dill, Onions, Celery, Potatoes
Bad Companions: Strawberries, Tomatoes
Pests: Cabbage worms, Cabbage loopers, Slugs
Harvest Signs: Head feels firm and solid when squeezed. Cut at base.
Storage: Refrigerate whole for 1-2 months. Excellent for sauerkraut/kimchi fermentation.
Cool-season brassica. Spring and fall plantings. Red cabbage is more pest-resistant. Split heads mean overwatering or uneven watering. Space well for air circulation.
Corn
Difficulty: intermediate | Sun: Full sun (8+ hrs) | Water: 1-1.5 inches/week, critical at tasseling
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8 | Spacing: 8-12 inches, rows 30-36 inches apart | Days to Harvest: 60-100 days
Companions: Beans, Squash (Three Sisters), Cucumbers
Bad Companions: Tomatoes, Celery
Pests: Corn earworm, Corn borer, Raccoons
Harvest Signs: Silk turns brown and dry. Puncture kernel — milky juice means ready.
Storage: Eat immediately for best sweetness. Refrigerate or freeze within hours.
Wind-pollinated — plant in blocks of at least 4x4, NOT long single rows. Heavy feeder needing rich soil. "Three Sisters" companion planting with beans and squash is Native American tradition. Sugar converts to starch quickly after harvest.
Potatoes
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hrs) | Water: 1-2 inches/week
Soil pH: 5.0-6.0 (acidic!) | Spacing: 12 inches, rows 30-36 in | Days to Harvest: 70-120 days
Companions: Beans, Corn, Cabbage, Horseradish
Bad Companions: Tomatoes, Squash, Sunflowers
Pests: Colorado potato beetle, Late blight, Wireworms
Harvest Signs: New potatoes: harvest when flowering. Storage potatoes: wait until vines die back.
Storage: Cure in dark for 1-2 weeks. Store cool (45-50°F), dark, ventilated. Never refrigerate.
Plant seed potatoes (NOT grocery store potatoes which may carry disease). Cut into pieces with 2-3 eyes, let dry 1-2 days. Hill soil around stems as they grow to prevent green skin (toxic solanine). Grow in bags, towers, or trenches.
Spinach
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Partial shade to full sun | Water: 1 inch/week
Soil pH: 6.5-7.5 | Spacing: 4-6 inches | Days to Harvest: 37-45 days
Companions: Strawberries, Peas, Beans, Brassicas
Bad Companions: Potatoes
Pests: Leaf miners, Aphids, Downy mildew
Harvest Signs: Pick outer leaves at 3-4 inches, or cut whole plant. Harvest before bolting.
Storage: Refrigerate unwashed in loose bag for 5-7 days. Freezes well (blanch first).
One of the most cold-hardy greens — survives frost and even light snow. Bolts quickly in heat and long days. Best as early spring or fall crop. Succession plant every 2-3 weeks. Malabar spinach is a heat-tolerant alternative.
Kale
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun to partial shade | Water: 1-1.5 inches/week
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 | Spacing: 18-24 inches | Days to Harvest: 50-65 days
Companions: Beets, Celery, Herbs, Onions
Bad Companions: Strawberries, Tomatoes
Pests: Cabbage worms, Aphids, Flea beetles
Harvest Signs: Pick lower/outer leaves when hand-sized. Leave center growing point intact.
Storage: Refrigerate in bag for 1-2 weeks. Massage raw leaves for salads.
Extremely cold-hardy — actually sweeter after frost. Grows through winter in zones 7+. Varieties: curly kale, lacinato/Tuscan (dinosaur kale), red Russian. One of the most nutritious vegetables. Can produce for over a year.
Eggplant
Difficulty: intermediate | Sun: Full sun (8+ hrs) | Water: 1 inch/week
Soil pH: 5.5-6.5 | Spacing: 18-24 inches | Days to Harvest: 70-85 days
Companions: Beans, Peppers, Spinach, Thyme
Bad Companions: Fennel
Pests: Flea beetles, Colorado potato beetle, Spider mites
Harvest Signs: Skin shiny and firm. Press — should spring back. Dull skin means overripe.
Storage: Use within 2-3 days. Refrigerate only if necessary. Does not freeze well raw.
Heat-loving — needs warm soil (65°F+) and warm nights. Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Use row covers early to protect from flea beetles. Japanese varieties are more productive in shorter seasons.
Okra
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun (8+ hrs) | Water: 1 inch/week
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8 | Spacing: 12-18 inches | Days to Harvest: 50-65 days
Companions: Peppers, Melons, Cucumbers, Basil
Bad Companions: Nematode-prone plants
Pests: Aphids, Corn earworms, Stinkbugs
Harvest Signs: Pick pods at 2-4 inches. They become tough quickly. Harvest every 1-2 days.
Storage: Refrigerate 2-3 days. Freeze, pickle, or dehydrate.
Thrives in heat (90°F+) where other plants struggle. Soak seeds overnight before planting. Beautiful flowers. Wear gloves when harvesting — spines irritate skin. Clemson Spineless is a popular low-spine variety.
Strawberries
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hrs) | Water: 1-1.5 inches/week
Soil pH: 5.5-6.8 | Spacing: 12-18 inches | Days to Harvest: Year 2 for full crop
Companions: Beans, Lettuce, Onions, Spinach, Thyme
Bad Companions: Brassicas, Fennel, Tomatoes
Pests: Slugs, Birds, Japanese beetles, Gray mold (botrytis)
Harvest Signs: Fully red with no white tip. Pick with stem attached.
Storage: Don't wash until ready to eat. Refrigerate 3-5 days. Freeze on tray then bag.
Types: June-bearing (one big crop in June), everbearing (spring + fall), day-neutral (continuous all summer). Remove runners first year to build strong plants. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and prevent rot. Replace plants every 3-4 years.
Swiss Chard
Difficulty: beginner | Sun: Full sun to partial shade | Water: 1 inch/week
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 | Spacing: 6-12 inches | Days to Harvest: 50-60 days
Companions: Beans, Cabbage, Onions
Bad Companions: Cucumbers, Melons
Pests: Leaf miners, Aphids, Slugs
Harvest Signs: Cut outer stalks at base when 8-12 inches. Center keeps producing.
Storage: Refrigerate in bag for 1 week. Stems and leaves cook at different rates.
Heat-tolerant green that doesn't bolt like spinach. Rainbow chard (Bright Lights) is ornamental and edible. Cut-and-come-again harvesting lasts all season. Very few pest problems.
Winter Squash
Difficulty: intermediate | Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hrs) | Water: 1 inch/week
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8 | Spacing: 48-72 inches | Days to Harvest: 80-110 days
Companions: Corn, Beans, Nasturtiums, Marigolds
Bad Companions: Potatoes
Pests: Squash vine borer, Squash bugs, Powdery mildew
Harvest Signs: Hard rind that fingernail can't dent. Stem corky and dry. Leave 2-inch stem.
Storage: Cure in sun 1-2 weeks. Store cool (50-55°F) and dry for 3-6 months.
Varieties: butternut, acorn, spaghetti, delicata, hubbard, kabocha. Need lots of space. Plant on hills/mounds for better drainage. Very long growing season required. Excellent storage crop for winter eating.
Brussels Sprouts
Difficulty: advanced | Sun: Full sun (6+ hrs) | Water: 1-1.5 inches/week
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5 | Spacing: 24-30 inches | Days to Harvest: 90-120 days
Companions: Beets, Carrots, Onions, Thyme
Bad Companions: Strawberries, Tomatoes
Pests: Cabbage worms, Aphids, Cabbage root fly
Harvest Signs: Sprouts 1-2 inches diameter, firm and green. Harvest bottom-up.
Storage: Refrigerate for 1-2 weeks. On stalk they last longer. Freeze after blanching.
Long growing season brassica. Plant mid-summer for fall/early winter harvest. Flavor dramatically improves after frost. Remove lower leaves as plant grows. Top plant 3-4 weeks before expected harvest to speed final sprout development.