In an era where food origins are often unclear, urban dwellers are increasingly turning to “home gardening” to ensure a steady supply of clean produce for their meals. However, not everyone has the time and energy to tend to their garden daily. So, what’s the solution?
The answer lies in choosing to grow resilient vegetables that offer multiple harvests and require minimal maintenance. Listed below are five ideal vegetable options that enable you to “plant once and eat all year round,” catering even to the busiest individuals.
1. Garlic Chives – For the Time-Crunched
It’s no coincidence that garlic chives are dubbed the vegetable “for the lazy.” With a robust root system and high regenerative capacity, garlic chives only need to be planted once in the spring and will continuously produce new leaves after each trimming. Requiring simple care – just adequate watering and periodic organic fertilizer – you can harvest garlic chives multiple times a year without replanting.
Notably, garlic chives are resilient to varying weather conditions. During winter, the plant can go dormant and regenerate when the weather warms up. With their easy-to-grow nature, garlic chive leaves are a familiar ingredient in soups, fried eggs, and pancakes.
2. Spring Onions – Multiply from Roots
If you’ve been discarding spring onion roots after cooking, stop right there – you’re missing out on a “green goldmine.” By retaining the root end and planting it in moist soil or water, a new sprout will emerge within days, continuously producing new leaves. Thus, a single spring onion root can multiply into several small clumps, offering year-round harvests.
Spring onions thrive without fertile soil and can be grown hydroponically in small bottles right in your kitchen, providing convenience and cleanliness. You can harvest them monthly, ensuring a steady supply of fresh spring onions for your culinary needs.
3. Basella Alba – The More You Cut, the More It Grows
Basella Alba, commonly known as vine spinach, is an excellent choice if you’re seeking a fast-growing vegetable that thrives in hot and humid climates. After planting, it will climb trellises and grow into long vines, reaching several meters in length. Simply cut the tips and leaves, leaving a few basal leaves, and it will quickly produce a new flush of growth.
During summer, the plant grows vigorously, allowing weekly harvests. Even in winter, if the climate isn’t too harsh, Basella Alba continues to flourish. You can use this versatile vegetable for soups, stir-fries, or steamed dishes – all equally delicious and refreshing.
4. Water Spinach – The More You Cut, the Fresher It Gets
Water spinach, or morning glory, firmly secures its place on the list of vegetables that keep on giving. This water-loving plant is easily grown in soil or water. All you need is a segment of its older stem, which you can then plant in moist soil or water, and it will readily sprout and grow vigorously.
Water spinach grows fastest during the summer. In ideal conditions, you can harvest it weekly. Even with stable indoor lighting and temperature, it thrives during winter.
5. Yardlong Beans – Plant Once, Harvest a Bounty
Yardlong beans, also known as asparagus beans, are not just nutrient-rich; they’re also incredibly easy to grow and highly productive. Once the plant flowers, you only need to wait a few days before harvesting the beans. Each picking encourages new flowers and, subsequently, new beans.
Yardlong beans thrive in bright light conditions, well-drained soil, and adequate moisture retention. For the best quality beans, harvest them while they’re still young and tender, ensuring the plant continues to flourish. With proper care, yardlong beans can provide a steady yield from summer through autumn.
Secrets to Year-Round Harvests
- Choose planters with good drainage to prevent root rot.
- Fertilize with organic matter every 2-3 weeks to provide essential nutrients.
- Water your plants in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid scorching them.
- Use sharp scissors to harvest, minimizing damage to the plant and promoting faster regeneration.
- Ensure your plants receive 4-6 hours of sunlight daily, even if grown on balconies or windowsills.
With just a few simple vegetable patches, you can create your own “clean home garden” without investing significant time and effort. Garlic chives, spring onions, Basella Alba, water spinach, and yardlong beans are the top five contenders to help you plant once and harvest repeatedly, benefiting your health and your wallet.
