If you have a short growing season, it’s essential to choose vegetables that mature quickly and can tolerate cooler temperatures. Here are some of the best options:
- **Radishes**: Radishes grow very fast; some varieties mature in as little as 20-30 days.
- **Lettuce**: Leaf lettuces are quick-growing and can be harvested multiple times with cut-and-come-again methods.
- **Spinach**: Spinach is cold-hardy and matures in about 35-45 days.
- **Arugula**: This peppery green grows quickly, often ready for harvest in less than a month.
- **Turnips**: Both turnip roots and greens mature fairly rapidly, usually within about 40-60 days.
- **Kale**: Kale is another cool-season crop that matures relatively quickly (55-75 days) and can withstand frost.
- **Green Beans (Bush Varieties)**: Bush beans tend to grow faster than pole beans, maturing in roughly 50-60 days.
- **Peas**: Suitable for cool climates, peas typically mature within about 55-70 days depending on the variety.
- **Beets**: Beetroots generally take around 50-70 days to develop, but beet greens can be harvested sooner if needed.
- **Zucchini (Summer Squash)**: These plants produce fruit quickly once they start flowering — usually within about 50-60 days after planting seeds directly into warm soil or transplants slightly earlier if starting indoors first.
- ***Scallions/Green Onions***; These onions don’t form bulbs like traditional onions do so you don’t need time waiting bulb formations allowing them up-to-ready approximately w/in range until between ~21–30 day to 40-80 days.
- 12. ***Swiss Chard*** : Similar perhaps longer @usually ranging among average from between 55.-65.days. If cutting off the leaves while preserving base you may have a second or third crop.
For those with uncertain conditions ensuring seed packets containing details specifying ‘days till maturity’ will help and permit an easier choice. Consider buying or making a greenhouse to start your plants early. Remember, proper watering and fertilization practices are important. Finally, watch out for pests if you are high in the mountains. There are natural alternatives to pest control or use a chemically based product. 🌿👩🌾
One final thought. I was the Restore Manager for Habitat for Humanity for over 2 years and this is a great place to purchase inexpensive lumber and windows if you are considering building a green house. If you have a Restore close to you, I highly recommend visiting their store.
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