Vegetable seeds overview
Whether you plan on growing common vegetables, such as carrots and beans, something a little more exotic, like leeks, or heirloom vegetables, you’ll need to learn a little about the different seeds available to you. Here is a list of some common vegetable seeds and their growing requirements.
Beans, bush take 50-55 days to mature. Seeds should be planted in spring in 5- to 6-inch round pots. Some heirloom varieties include Jade, Benchmark, and Roma. Bush beans are also referred to as "green beans."
Beans, fava include such varieties as Sweet Lorane, Broad Windson, and Aquadulce. A typical plant grows to 30 inches, and they range in growing time from 68 to 90 days. Pod size and number of beans per pod vary, but each variety is extremely tolerant to cold and seeds should be sown in the spring.
Beets mature in about 48 days. One of the most popular varieties is Early Wonder Tall Top, which is extremely sweet in flavor. Seeds can be grown in all seasons, which form 3- to 4-inch dark red beets. Seeds grow well in cool soils.
Broccoli is a cool weather crop, and seeds can be planted in the spring or fall. It matures in 60 to 69 days, needs full sun, and prefers normal soils. Seeds or transplants should be spaced 18 inches apart. 20-inch plants produce medium to large heads.
Carrots are another cool weather crop, and seeds can be planted in spring or late summer. Seedlings should be planted 3 inches apart. Carrots take 65 days to mature. Some popular varieties include Caroline, Kinko, Ithaca, and Nelson
Corn makes any garden complete–especially different varieties of sweet corn. Corn seeds should be planted in the spring. They take 75 to 100 days to mature. Corn cobs range from 5 to 8 inches in length to 2 to 3 inches in diameter.
Cucumbers (of the slicing variety) mature in 76 days. Crisp and sweet, they grow to 8 to 9 inches in length. Seeds can withstand both hot and cool temperatures. Seeds prefer normal to loamy soil.
Eggplant, such as the traditional variety of Nadia, is dark purple in color, taking 63 days to mature. Eggplant seeds can be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting outdoors 19 inches apart. Seeds prefer a moist, well-drained soil that is normal or loamy.
Lettuce is another popular choice, as there are so many varieties to choose from, including Buttercrunch, Green Ice, Mesclun, Red Sails, and Summertime. Some lettuce thrives in cold weather, and seeds can be planted in early spring. Plant seeds 18 inches apart. 65 days to maturity.
Melons, honeydew take 90 days to mature. Seeds can be directly sown in soil when it is warm (after the last frost). Melons should reach 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Space seeds 8 inches apart, with 4 feet between rows.
Peas, of the English variety, reach 4 inches long, containing 8 peas per pod, in 60 days. Pea plants prefer full sun; plant seeds in normal to loamy soil 1 to 2 inches apart.
Pumpkins take 90 days to mature. Plant seeds 3 to 5 feet apart after the last spring frost. They prefer a moist, well-drained normal soil. Pumpkin seeds are edible as well!
Spinach can mature in as early as 30 days. Leaf size grows to 8 to 10 inches. A cool season crop, spinach can be planted in early spring for summer harvest, or late summer for fall harvest.
Tomatoes come in many forms, including cherry, early, grape, greenhouse, and slicing tomatoes. Days to maturity depend on variety, although the average is 70. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.