Welcome to the complete library of Vegetable Growing Guides from The Planting Key!
This library is the heart of my mission: to translate proven horticultural science into simple, practical guides for home gardeners just like you. I’m Yun, the site’s founder, and I’m so glad you’re here.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for easy-to-grow options or an experienced gardener seeking detailed advice on a specific crop, you’ve found the ultimate resource. Each guide on this page is meticulously researched and packed with step-by-step instructions, zone-specific planting calendars, and expert tips to ensure a successful and flavorful harvest.
To help you find the perfect vegetable for your garden, I’ve organized this hub in two convenient ways. If you’re exploring your options, you can browse my guides by category (like ‘Cool-Season Vegetable Guides’ or ‘Warm-Season Vegetable Guides’) in the main directory below. If you already know what you’re looking for, simply use my A-Z Index to go directly to the guide you need.
Dive in and start planning your most abundant garden yet!
How to Choose the Right Vegetables for Your Garden
Before you dive into the list, choosing the right vegetables comes down to three simple questions:
- What does your climate allow? Some plants love summer heat (like tomatoes), while others prefer the cool weather of spring and fall (like lettuce).
- How much space do you have? Zucchini plants need a lot of room to sprawl, while carrots and radishes can be tucked into smaller spaces. Many vegetables thrive in containers on a sunny patio!
- What do you love to eat? The greatest reward is harvesting something you genuinely can’t wait to put on your dinner table.
With those three questions in mind—climate, space, and taste—you’re ready to explore my library of guides. Think of this as the fun part: matching your garden’s potential with your favorite flavors!
To make it easy, I’ve grouped all the vegetables below by their growing season and type. Let’s find the perfect plant to start your journey.
My Complete Vegetable Guides
Cool-Season Vegetable Guides
These are the stars of the spring and fall garden. They thrive in cooler temperatures and can often be planted long before the summer heat arrives.
Leafy Greens
Lettuce
Crisp, fresh, and surprisingly easy. Harvest the outer leaves as you need them for a continuous supply of salad greens all season long.
Spinach
A fast-growing and nutrient-packed green that bolts (goes to seed) in the heat, making it a perfect crop for early spring and fall.
Brassicas (The Cabbage Family)
Kale
Incredibly hardy and productive. A few plants can provide greens from spring through fall, and the flavor even improves after a light frost.
Radishes
The perfect crop for impatient gardeners! Many varieties go from seed to spicy, crunchy root in just 3-4 weeks.
Root & Tuber Vegetables
Carrots
Growing your own carrots reveals a sweetness and flavor you’ll never find in a grocery store. They just need loose, rock-free soil.
Alliums (The Onion Family)
Garlic
Experience the magic of turning one small clove into a full, intensely aromatic bulb. A fall-planted crop that rewards your patience with months of incredible flavor.
Other Cool-Season Favorites
Peas
Often the first sweet taste of spring from the garden! Peas thrive in cool weather, and nothing compares to the sugary crunch of a pod picked fresh from the vine.
Warm-Season Vegetable Guides
These plants are sun-worshippers that hit their stride in the long, hot days of summer. They are typically planted after all danger of frost has passed.
Fruiting Vegetables
Bush Beans
One of the easiest and most reliable crops for beginners. They require no support and produce a large harvest in a compact space.
Tomatoes
The undisputed king of the home garden. From tiny cherries to giant beefsteaks, nothing beats the taste of a homegrown tomato.
Peppers
Whether you like them sweet or fiery hot, pepper plants love heat and sun, producing colorful fruits throughout the summer. Read the Complete Guide to Growing Peppers →
Zucchini
Famously productive. Be prepared to get creative with your harvest! Zucchini plants are easy to grow and reward you generously.
Cucumbers
Perfect for salads, pickles, or just snacking. Vining varieties can be trained up a trellis to save space and produce straighter fruit. Read the Complete Guide to Growing Cucumbers →
Other Warm-Season Favorites
Artichoke (Globe)
Essential Culinary Herbs
Many herbs are incredibly easy to grow alongside your vegetables and will elevate your cooking to a new level.
Basil
The classic summer herb and the perfect companion for tomatoes. A must-have for any kitchen garden, it thrives in pots.
Mint
Famously easy to grow—so easy, in fact, that it’s best kept in a container to prevent it from taking over your garden!
A-Z Index of Growing Guides
Know exactly what you’re looking for? Browse my guides alphabetically.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I – K | L | M | N – O | P | Q – R | S | T | U – Z
B
C
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
G
I – K
L
M
P
Q – R
S
T
U – Z
Understanding My Guides
Every guide in my library is built on a consistent framework designed to give you all the information you need for a successful harvest. When you click on a guide, you can always expect to find:
- Zone-Specific Planting Calendars: Go beyond generic advice with reliable planting dates calculated for your specific USDA zone (from 4 to 9), including both “Safe” and “Aggressive” timelines.
- A Complete Step-by-Step Walkthrough: I guide you through the entire journey, from choosing the perfect variety and preparing your soil, all the way to the magic of harvesting, curing, and storing your crop.
- Expert Tips & Troubleshooting: Each guide is packed with practical, real-world advice, detailed answers to frequently asked questions, and solutions to the common problems you might encounter.
My goal is simple: to leave you feeling confident and fully equipped to grow.
My Gardening Philosophy
At The Planting Key, I believe that growing your own food should be a joyful, rewarding, and accessible experience for everyone. All my advice is created with the real-world home gardener in mind—whether you have a small balcony, a few raised beds, or a sprawling backyard plot.
My approach is rooted in sustainable and organic-first principles. I focus on methods that build healthy soil, work in harmony with nature, and produce the most nutritious and flavorful food possible for your table. I’m here to demystify the process and give you the “keys” to unlock your garden’s true potential, one vegetable at a time.
Ready to Get Your Hands Dirty?
I hope this comprehensive directory inspires you to try growing something new this season. Remember, the key to a successful garden is starting with just one vegetable and giving it the right care.
If you’re feeling like you need to take a step back and plan your space first, be sure to visit my Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Garden.
Happy Planting!