Top Easy to Grow Low Maintenance Vegetables

If you’re a beginner gardener or simply don’t have time to maintain a high-maintenance garden, don’t worry—you can still grow your own fresh, delicious vegetables without the hassle.

Certain crops are naturally easy to grow, requiring minimal attention while still delivering a bountiful harvest. These low-maintenance vegetables are resilient, hardy, and perfect for those who want to enjoy gardening without a big time commitment.

Here are the top easy to grow low maintenance vegetables that are ideal for beginners or gardeners looking to keep things simple.

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Peas are one of the easiest vegetables to grow, especially for vertical gardens or small spaces.

They are a cool-season crop and grow quickly with little care beyond regular watering and some simple support like a trellis. Peas are also nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they enrich the soil as they grow, benefiting other plants in the garden.

They are resistant to most pests, making them a hassle-free crop with the added bonus of sweet, tender pods ready for harvest within weeks.

Radishes are one of the quickest and easiest vegetables to grow.

They’re ready to harvest in as little as three weeks, making them a great choice for beginners who want fast results.

Radishes require very little space and thrive in almost any type of soil. They don’t need much water or care once they’re planted, and their quick-growing nature means they’re less prone to pests and diseases. Radishes are perfect for filling small gaps in your garden or growing in containers.

Spinach is a fast-growing leafy green that requires very little attention once established.

This vegetable thrives in cooler temperatures and can be grown in spring or fall with minimal care. Spinach can be harvested continuously, simply by picking the outer leaves, making it perfect for a quick and repeatable harvest.

Its short growing cycle means you can plant multiple batches throughout the season. Additionally, spinach is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, making it a fuss-free crop.

Onions are a low-maintenance staple in any vegetable garden. They can be grown from seeds, sets, or transplants, and require little care other than regular watering and a sunny spot.

Onions are tolerant of a variety of soil conditions and are naturally resistant to many pests. Once planted, they’ll grow steadily with minimal intervention, whether in containers or directly in the ground. Onions can also be harvested young as green onions, offering versatility for your garden and kitchen.

Garlic is one of the most effortless vegetables to grow, making it perfect for any low-maintenance garden. Plant individual cloves in the fall or early spring, and with just a bit of water and sunshine, they’ll grow into full bulbs by mid-summer.

Garlic is incredibly resilient to pests and diseases, and it doesn’t require frequent attention. Once planted, you can mostly leave garlic alone to do its thing, and it will reward you with a flavorful, easy-to-harvest crop that lasts for months.

Broccoli is surprisingly easy to grow, even though it’s packed with nutrients. It thrives in cooler temperatures and doesn’t need much attention beyond consistent watering.

Once established, broccoli plants are resilient to pests, and their sturdy nature means they won’t need much extra care. Planting broccoli in early spring or fall will ensure healthy heads that you can harvest before the weather gets too warm.

Its minimal maintenance needs make it a great choice for beginner gardeners.

Eggplant is another warm-weather vegetable that’s easy to grow in both containers and garden beds.

It requires little care beyond regular watering and plenty of sunlight. Eggplants are resistant to most pests and diseases, and once they start producing, they provide a steady supply of delicious fruit with minimal intervention.

Their hardiness and productivity make them an ideal low-maintenance option for gardeners.

Kohlrabi is a unique vegetable that’s incredibly easy to grow. It doesn’t require a lot of space, and its quick growth makes it a rewarding crop for new or busy gardeners.

Kohlrabi thrives in various soil types and doesn’t need much in terms of fertilization or pest control. Its thick, edible stem matures quickly and can be harvested within a couple of months, providing a fresh, crunchy addition to salads or cooked dishes with very little effort.

Kale is one of the most resilient and low-maintenance vegetables you can grow.

It’s cold-hardy, meaning it can thrive in cooler temperatures, and it’s also drought-tolerant, so you don’t need to water it often.

Kale can be planted in early spring or late summer for a continuous harvest throughout the season. Its ability to regrow after harvesting makes it a cut-and-come-again crop, reducing the need for frequent replanting. Kale is also resistant to many pests, making it a trouble-free choice.

Cabbage is a hardy, cool-weather vegetable that doesn’t require much attention once it’s planted.

It grows well in a variety of soil types and is relatively pest-resistant, especially when grown in cooler conditions. Cabbage is slow-growing but worth the wait, as it forms dense, heavy heads that can be harvested in late fall or early winter.

Once established, cabbage only requires occasional watering, making it a low-maintenance choice for those looking for a hands-off crop.

Leeks are a slow-growing, but low-maintenance vegetable that requires very little care once established.

They can be grown in containers or in the ground, and they don’t need frequent watering or fertilizing. Leeks are also pest-resistant, and their long growing season means you can plant them and more or less forget about them until they’re ready to harvest.

They are ideal for gardeners who want a crop that requires minimal intervention.

Arugula is a fast-growing leafy green that thrives in cooler weather and requires minimal attention.

It grows well in containers, raised beds, or directly in the ground, and can be harvested within a few weeks of planting. Arugula’s quick-growing cycle means you can plant multiple batches throughout the season for continuous harvests. It doesn’t require much water, and its spicy, peppery flavor adds a fresh kick to salads with little effort on your part.

Beets are a dual-purpose vegetable, producing both nutritious greens and roots, making them perfect for a low-maintenance garden.

They grow well in a range of soil conditions and don’t require much care beyond occasional watering. Beets are naturally pest-resistant, and both the roots and greens can be harvested for use in salads, soups, or as a side dish.

Once planted, beets can be left to grow with minimal supervision, making them an easy and rewarding crop.

Peppers are warm-weather plants that require very little maintenance once they’re established.

They thrive in sunny spots and need regular watering, but otherwise, they are low-maintenance and productive.

Peppers are naturally pest-resistant and can be grown in containers or in the ground, making them versatile for any garden space. Once they start producing fruit, they continue to do so throughout the season with minimal effort.

Carrots are a low-maintenance vegetable that grows well in loose, well-draining soil. They don’t require much attention beyond consistent watering, and their ability to grow underground means they are naturally protected from many pests.

Carrots are slow-growing but can be harvested at different stages of maturity, depending on your preference. Once planted, carrots can be left to grow without much intervention, making them perfect for hands-off gardeners.

Courgettes, also known as zucchini, are one of the most prolific and easy-to-grow vegetables.

They thrive in a sunny spot with regular watering and will continue producing fruit all summer long with very little maintenance.

Zucchinis grow quickly and are relatively resistant to pests. They can be grown in containers or directly in the ground, and with minimal effort, you’ll have a large harvest to enjoy in no time.

Corn might seem like a high-maintenance crop, but once it’s planted, it’s quite easy to grow. Corn requires plenty of sunlight and regular watering, but otherwise, it’s a hardy plant that doesn’t need much care.

It grows vertically, meaning it doesn’t take up much ground space, and when grown in blocks, it self-pollinates efficiently. Corn is a rewarding crop that’s relatively low-maintenance once it gets going, making it an excellent choice for any garden.

Whether you’re new to gardening or looking for a way to grow your own produce without spending hours in the garden, these top easy to grow low maintenance vegetables are perfect for you.

From fast-growing greens like spinach and arugula to hearty vegetables like garlic and carrots, these crops require minimal care while still delivering high yields. By incorporating these easy-to-grow vegetables into your garden, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown produce with minimal effort.

Get our Gardening Buddy and find veggies that fit your conditions best.

You Can Grow It!