🥬 Spinach | Harvest again and again

Container: Pot or bucket, 20 cm+ deep
Best time: Autumn and spring
Sun: Sun to partial shade
Water: Keep moist, not soggy
Difficulty: ⭐ Easy
Ready in: About 2 months

Plant: Start with seedlings in well-draining soil.
Care: Don't let the soil dry out.
Watch for: Aphids, caterpillars, snails and slugs.
Harvest: Pick outer leaves; leave the centre growing.
Store: Refrigerate and use fresh.

🥗 Lettuce | Harvest once or keep picking

Container: Pot or trough, 15–20 cm+ deep
Best time: Cooler months and spring
Sun: Morning sun; afternoon shade when hot
Water: Keep evenly moist
Difficulty: ⭐ Easy
Ready in: About 6–10 weeks, depending on variety

Plant: Sow directly or use seedlings.
Care: Plant small batches every 2–3 weeks.
Watch for: Aphids, caterpillars, snails and slugs.
Harvest: Pick loose leaves repeatedly; harvest head lettuce once.
Store: Refrigerate leaves.

🧅 Spring onions | Harvest once

Container: Pot or trough, 15 cm+ deep
Best time: Much of the year; spring is ideal
Sun: Sun to partial shade
Water: Keep evenly moist
Difficulty: ⭐ Easy
Ready in: About 8–12 weeks

Plant: Sow directly and thin as they grow.
Care: Don't let the soil dry out.
Watch for: Thrips and onion pests.
Harvest: Pull when they reach the size you want.
Store: Refrigerate.

🥕 Carrots | Harvest once

Container: Deep pot or bucket, 25–30 cm+
Best time: Late winter to spring
Sun: Full sun
Water: Keep evenly moist
Difficulty: ⭐ Easy–moderate
Ready in: About 10–14 weeks

Plant: Sow directly into loose soil. Don't transplant.
Care: Thin seedlings to give roots space.
Watch for: Leaf pests and poor drainage.
Harvest: Pull when roots reach a useful size.
Store: Remove tops and refrigerate.

🥔 Potatoes | Harvest once

Container: Large growing bag or deep container
Best time: August–September or February–March
Sun: Full sun
Water: Keep moist, not waterlogged
Difficulty: ⭐⭐ Moderate
Ready in: About 3–5 months

Plant: Use seed potatoes and add soil around stems as they grow.
Care: Keep developing potatoes covered from light.
Watch for: Aphids, tuber moth, blight and rot.
Harvest: Harvest once the crop matures.
Store: Keep cool, dry and dark. Never eat green potatoes.

🍅 Tomatoes | Harvest again and again

Container: One plant per large pot
Best time: Spring to early summer, after frost
Sun: Full sun
Water: Water deeply and consistently
Difficulty: ⭐⭐ Moderate
Ready in: About 60–90 days after transplanting

Plant: Start with a seedling and add support early.
Care: Support stems as the plant grows.
Watch for: Aphids, whitefly, mites and caterpillars.
Harvest: Pick ripe fruit as it matures.
Store: Ripen at room temperature.

🌶️ Peppers | Harvest again and again

Container: One plant per large pot
Best time: Spring
Sun: Full sun and warmth
Water: Keep evenly moist
Difficulty: ⭐⭐ Moderate
Ready in: About 60–100 days after transplanting

Plant: Start with a healthy seedling.
Care: Protect from late cold.
Watch for: Aphids, whitefly, mites and caterpillars.
Harvest: Pick as peppers reach the size and colour you want.
Store: Refrigerate.

🥒 Cucumbers | Harvest again and again

Container: Large pot with a trellis
Best time: Spring to early summer
Sun: Full sun
Water: Keep consistently moist
Difficulty: ⭐⭐ Moderate
Ready in: About 60–90 days

Plant: Sow directly or transplant carefully.
Care: Train vines upwards.
Watch for: Aphids, whitefly, mites and mildew.
Harvest: Pick regularly while firm.
Store: Refrigerate.

🌿 Parsley | Harvest again and again

Container: Pot, 15–20 cm+ deep
Best time: Much of the year
Sun: Sun to partial shade
Water: Keep evenly moist
Difficulty: ⭐ Easy
Ready in: Quicker from a nursery seedling

Plant: Start with a seedling for the easiest option.
Care: Don't strip the whole plant.
Watch for: Aphids and caterpillars.
Harvest: Pick outer stems first.
Store: Best fresh.

🌿 Basil | Harvest again and again

Container: Pot, 15–20 cm+ deep
Best time: Spring to summer
Sun: Full sun and warmth
Water: Keep moist, not soggy
Difficulty: ⭐ Easy
Ready in: About 6–8 weeks from seed; sooner from seedlings

Plant: Start with a seedling for quicker results.
Care: Pinch growing tips for bushier growth.
Watch for: Aphids, whitefly and leaf damage.
Harvest: Pick leaves and tips regularly.
Store: Best fresh.

🌿 Chives| Harvest again and again

Container: Pot, 15 cm+ deep
Best time: Much of the year; strongest from spring to autumn
Sun: Sun to partial shade
Water: Keep evenly moist
Difficulty: ⭐ Easy
Ready in: Quicker from seedlings

Plant: Start with seedlings or a nursery plant.
Care: Cut regularly and allow new growth.
Watch for: Thrips and aphids.
Harvest: Snip leaves without pulling the plant.
Store: Best fresh.