Hello and welcome to my library of growing guides! I’m Yun, the founder of The Planting Key.

After helping a friend navigate the confusing world of North American planting schedules, I realized that what every gardener needs is a clear, trustworthy starting point. This page is designed to be exactly that.

Here, you will find my complete, ever-growing collection of “Ultimate Guides” for a wide variety of vegetables. I’ve organized them to help you discover the perfect plants for your climate, your space, and your taste. Whether you’re looking for something that grows in a flash or a plant that will feed your family all summer long, you’ll find the detailed, step-by-step instructions you need right here.

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:

  1. What does your climate allow? Some plants love summer heat (like tomatoes), while others prefer the cool weather of spring and fall (like lettuce).
  2. 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!
  3. 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.

Jump to: Cool-Weather Vegetables | Warm-Weather Vegetables | Culinary Herbs

Cool-Weather Vegetables

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

  • (Image of Lettuce)Lettuce: Crisp, fresh, and surprisingly easy. Harvest the outer leaves as you need them for a continuous supply of salad greens all season long. [Read the Ultimate Guide to Growing Lettuce →]
  • (Image of Spinach)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. [Read the Ultimate Guide to Growing Spinach →]
  • (Image of Kale)Kale: Incredibly hardy and productive. A few plants can provide greens from spring through fall, and the flavor even improves after a light frost. [Read the Ultimate Guide to Growing Kale →]

Root Vegetables

  • (Image of Radishes)Radishes: The perfect crop for impatient gardeners! Many varieties go from seed to spicy, crunchy root in just 3-4 weeks. [Read the Ultimate Guide to Growing Radishes →]
  • (Image of Carrots)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. [Read the Ultimate Guide to Growing Carrots →]

Warm-Weather Vegetables

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

  • (Image of Tomatoes)Tomatoes: The undisputed king of the home garden. From tiny cherries to giant beefsteaks, nothing beats the taste of a homegrown tomato. [Read the Ultimate Guide to Growing Tomatoes →]
  • (Image of Peppers)Peppers: Whether you like them sweet or fiery hot, pepper plants love heat and sun, producing colorful fruits throughout the summer. [Read the Ultimate Guide to Growing Peppers →]
  • (Image of Zucchini)Zucchini: Famously productive. Be prepared to get creative with your harvest! Zucchini plants are easy to grow and reward you generously. [Read the Ultimate Guide to Growing Zucchini →]
  • (Image of Cucumbers)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 Ultimate Guide to Growing Cucumbers →]

Beans & Legumes

  • (Image of Bush Beans)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. [Read the Ultimate Guide to Growing Bush Beans →]

Essential Culinary Herbs

Many herbs are incredibly easy to grow alongside your vegetables and will elevate your cooking to a new level.

  • (Image of Basil)Basil: The classic summer herb and the perfect companion for tomatoes. A must-have for any kitchen garden, it thrives in pots. [Read the Ultimate Guide to Growing Basil →]
  • (Image of Mint)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! [Read the Ultimate Guide to Growing Mint →]

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

  • Basil
  • Beans, Bush

C

  • Carrots
  • Cucumbers

Ready to Get Your Hands Dirty?

I hope this directory inspires you to try something new in your garden this year. Each guide is packed with the detailed information you need to go from seed to successful harvest.

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!