You won’t need to seed again!
Gardening is pretty rewarding especially after all the hard work we put in, we deserve to reap a good harvest and a pat on the back for a job well done but the challenge that many home gardeners face is going back to working the soil and reseeding. Won’t it be great to have a garden where the work is done for you after you have done most of the work?
I don’t mean hiring someone to do the job for you which can be pretty costly but rather sowing seeds that will produce a harvest for you year after year, This is the type of garden to invest in as you spend less time working the soil and more time reaping.
Many home gardeners are taking advantage of this garden method that is so beneficial, if you are one of those persons who would rather spend less time working the soil but getting great results then this post is just for you so let’s take a closer look at this garden type as your days of working the soil is made easier.
20 Self Seeding food crops
Here are a few food crops to consider when planning a self-seed garden
Tomatoes
1. What I find so amazing about the tomato plants is that it is so easy to grow, have you ever taken a tomato and just threw it out without having to do any work and after a few weeks, you notice little seedlings springing up.
I remembered a few years ago weed whacking near a fenced and to my surprise, I came across some wild tomatoes which were growing on this fence which was in a bushy area which means the seeds could have been placed there by birds droppings that brought the tomato seeds to this area.
Here no human effort was involved it was just growing wild, so if you are looking for a food crop that will self-seed the tomato plant can do the job for you.
Lettuce
2. Let us now turn our attention to lettuce, lettuce is a popular veggie that is used in many salads and can be grown as a self-seeding veggie. Allowing your lettuce to bolts or set seeds will have you well on your way to harvesting more fresh lettuce grown from your home garden.
Carrots
3. Carrots are a great veggie to have in your home garden, what I love about carrots is that you don’t need that big of a space to grow them. Once your carrot’s roots survive the frost or colder months you can expect them to self-seed which will allow you to reap a good harvest during the growing season.
Onions
4. One of my favorite veggies is onion which has strong flavors. Although I cook with onions my favorite way of eating them is in salads. These biennials will also make your job easier by reseeding.
Radishes
5. Radishes are also self-seeding the way radish self-seed is producing pods, these pods contain seeds that will give you an abundance of radishes.
Cilantro
6. Cilantro is a leafy green that is edible they grow best in the cool weather. Planting cilantro in the early spring may encourage bolting which will cause your cilantro to re-seed giving you a good harvest before the summer heat sets in.
Spinach
7. Spinach is a cool-season plant that is worth the investment, this leafy green is full of vitamins which is so beneficial. What I found so amazing about this veggie is that it can re-seed very quickly. New plants will emerge once the cool season sets in meanly the fall months.
Beans
8. Believe it or not, beans are also added to the list of food crops that re-seeds, In the warmer season expect to reap a good harvest.
Kale
9. A great way to get your kale to re-seed is not to harvest the leaves this will encourage the plant to set seed.
Beets
10. Once the roots of beets survive the cold months preparing for them to re-seed during the following season.
Pumpkins
11. Pumpkins also re-seeds if a few of them are left in your garden, they will decompose and the next growing season will give you a fresh harvest.
Garlic
12. Garlic has so many health benefits but can also be used in the garden to repel garden insect pests, just leave a few of them in the ground and each clove will become a full plant.
Basils
13. I love cooking with basil because of the aroma and taste, basil can also be used to attract pollinators and repel insects. In order for your basil to re-seed simply allow it to flowers.
Parsley
14. Parsely is a biennial that can re-seed, once planted parsley in its first year will develop green leaves and stems, in its second year will grow a flower stock and the second set of leaves. The flower blooms in the summer and seeds in the late summer and early fall. Holding off from harvesting will cause the seed to scatter and lay dormant until the next growing season which will germanite giving you a fresh harvest.
Potatoes
15. This food crop will not disappoint but will give you a great harvest if allowed to go for themselves, after you’ve harvested your potato just leave the soil and watch as your potatoes give another harvest. A word of warning, however, keep an eye out for potato blight if there is a sign of blight remove those potatoes.
Dill
16. Dill is another self-seeder that will give a harvest, allowing some of the seeds to remain will ensure that you have a harvest during the growing season.
Oregano
17. Oregano has a strong aroma with a slightly bitter taste, this herb, however, will spice up your dishes. Oregano can also self-seed. This sturdy herb will overwinter especially if mulch or fallen leaves are used as an insulator.
Collard Greens
18. Collard greens can get very large, These veggies will grow just about anywhere. This cole crop can also go to seed produce a good harvest during the growing season. When planting collard greens give them good spacing.
Parsnips
19. Parsnips are hardy biennials that can be grown as an annual root crop, letting your parsnips go to seed will give you a supply of fresh parsnips when the growing season starts.
Turnips
20. Turnip is a cool-season crop that can be eaten cooked or raw, when planting turnips give them a spacing of about two feet, once turnips have reached maturity harvest the leaves but not the roots. Covering the ground with a layer of mulch will act as an insulator as your turnips over winter. When spring comes you will have a harvest of turnips.
Additional Tips for successful gardening
1. When installing your garden ensure that you are using the right soil type for your garden plants.
2. Ensure that you are giving your garden plants the right amount of water.
3. When treating your edible food crops for garden insect pests use safe methods such as treatments that are labeled for food crops or making homemade remedies.
4. Before using treatments which is purchase read and follow the manufacture’s label.
5. The use of biological control is another means of safely bringing garden insect pests under control.
6. When using a hand pruner or other garden tools remember to sterilize to avoid the spread of disease.
7. When using fertilizers read and follow the manufacture’s label but in my opinion, I would rather use organics when it comes to food crops which I think is much safer.
The final word
Investing in garden plants that will give you a continual harvest by re-seeding is a great way to reap a harvest by not having to work the soil over and over again so why not invest in a garden of this sort that promises to make your gardening time a lot easier.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
It would be very great to have to put little work on the garden after the first preparation. I love how the tomatoes just sprout even when you do not have to do anything to them.I am surprised that lettuce can also self seed. These are really great veggies to incorporate in small gardens. Thank you for the tips on successful gardening. I will be trying the lettuce and parsley in my small garden. Thank you for these insights.
Carol that is so good to hear and please let me know how it goes. Have a good day.
I love how you broke each vegetable down into a list. Each number has your personal experience with the vegetable, which adds a nice touch to the article. I had no idea pumpkins can decompose themselves and be able to return the next season all by themselves. Your article is jam packed with relevant information.
Hello, Evelin so good to see you this method of gardening is so beneficial. So happy to help and all the best to you.
This my best type of gardening, I love vegetables and as much as I love it, I’m always selective when it comes to the ones I eat, I mean where it’s gotten from. I have a vegetable garden very close to my backyard because I have a vast scale of land to make use of, most do these vegetables are there and it’s what u do most times I’m not at work or I’m not willing to talk much to anyone, let’s say it’s my secret place. The extra tips too are really good, they will serve as help. Thanks.
Hello DreaJay so happy again to help and it is so good to hear that you enjoy this type of gardening. Wishing you all the best of success and have a good day.
I love growing my garden with fresh herbs and vegetables… It’s one of my favorite things about gardening…You really out done yourself showing people how to garden and what there is to grow… You really have a passion in gardening, it’s very well thought out and detailed…Really good work! I’ve been enjoying all your articles, I can’t wait to read more! Really good stuff here!!!
Thanks a million for those kind words so happy that I could help and thanks for those words of encouragement. All the best to you and have a good day.
Growing self seeding vegetables is a good idea as it only takes you through the stress of mainly the first time, it rejuvenates by it’s self, this makes it easy and convenient. My mom has one likewise my wife but hers isn’t a big one. I’ll share this article with her and I know she’ll be able to pick some things from it. Thanks for always Sharing amazing and helpful information about gardening.
Thanks so much for passing this information on and for your kind words so happy to help and all the best to you.
One more great article, I enjoy reading your articles as I always learn something new regarding the growing plants and vegetables. Winter is coming so I think that I can’t grow lettuce, we enjoy eating that vegetable. Still, I can grow onion, my wife doesn’t like onions but I think that there is no dish without them lol
Hello so happy to meet you and I am so glad to help. Onions are pretty amazing and can really give that much-needed flavor. Thanks for those kind words and all the best to you. Have a good day.