This article is for a pretty varied group of readers: folks who are just getting started with an outdoor garden space. Folks who have limited time or ability for gardening. And of course those of us who just want a garden that’s simple, enjoyable, and easy to care for. There are so many reasons why we might want some easy garden plants for our outdoor garden spaces, and there are so many plants that make gardening easy. This is just a partial list of both veggie and ornamental plants, so if you’re looking for other suggestions please drop us an email or ask in the comments.
Beans and Peas are both easy and fun to grow. They do well in containers and there are bush varietals available for those of us who have limited space or don’t want to mess with trellises and a vertical garden. The seeds tend to be larger and easier to handle, which can be a plus for some folks, and they grow quickly so that new gardeners get relatively rapid feedback. The plants and blossoms are pretty, and the end result can be quite tasty! For new gardeners, gardeners with different needs and abilities, or for those of us looking for an easy gardening project, beans and peas in all their many varietals may offer a good starting point.
Strawberries are one of those wonderful plants that’s both decorative and edible! The iconic trifoliate leaves are genuinely lovely on their own, and the white blossoms are a lovely grace note to the deep-green foliage. Strawberries do well in containers of various sizes and of course the fruits are delicious. It’s generally easiest to start strawberries with a transplant from a nursery rather than from seeds, which also makes them accessible to gardeners of all abilities and skill levels.
Zinnias are iconic, classic garden flowers with lovely multi-petaled flowers that may come in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, or white depending on varietal. Like many flowering plants, zinnias like full sun, rich well drained soil, and a regular watering schedule. But beyond these basic care standards they are fairly easy to grow, visually compelling, and a wonderful way to get started with flower gardening in any size space. They do well in containers if they have enough space for their root growth, so those of us growing on porches, patios, and balconies can enjoy them as well.
Zucchini can be an easy garden plant for those who’d like a veggie garden—though the huge leaves and large yellow flowers are visually striking as well. They are easy to grow in containers, but they do like sun, lots of water, and depending on varietal they make take up a fair amount of space as they grow. But they’re fun, the fruits are tasty, and they can be quite prolific under the right conditions. For beginning gardeners or new vegetable gardens, zucchini are almost a rite fo passage.
Nasturtium presents in red or yellow flowers that provide a lovely “pop” of color from May to September in many growing regions. They’re easy to grow and care for: they like full sun, rich soil, and regular watering. Be a bit careful of over-watering, as it can lead to root rot and other health issues in the plant. Nasturtium does well in containers and doesn’t require large amounts of space, so for those of us with a smaller garden they may be a lovely flower to include.
Marigolds are a stunner—yellow, orange, or red depending on varietal, lovely flowers that unfold as they grow, and with a height of between six inches/15cm and 3 feet/91cm, they can provide both ground level and vertical interest in a garden space. They also help repel mosquitoes and other pests, which can be a huge bonus for those of us dealing with biting insects in our garden spaces. New gardeners love them as they grow quickly and provide ready feedback for their efforts, and they can be easily grown in containers. They do like full sun and the soil should dry out a bit between waterings, but beyond that they’re very easy to care for and absolutely beautiful to boot.
Again, this is only a partial list—there are so many more possibilities and we just don’t have the space for them all here. If you have questions about easy garden plants for outdoor gardens (or anything else garden related) send us an email or drop them in the comments. Gardzen is all about community and we love to hear from you!
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