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10 High-yield vegetables you should be growing this year

04/21/2017 // Russel Davis // Views

Tags: crops, gardening, gardening skills, harvest

According to experts, combining the principles of biointensive gardening and square-foot gardening may help gardeners achieve good harvest despite the limited garden space. An article in TheBalance.com has listed 10 high-yield crops to grow this year to maximize the limited space.

10 high-yield vegetables you can grow in small spaces

1. Leaf lettuce - Leaf lettuce varieties such as oak leaf, red sails, and mesclun are high-yielding crops that can be repeatedly harvested as long as the crown is not damaged. The National Garden Bureau (NGB), which rates crops based on their yield per square foot, has given leaf lettuce a rating of 7.4 out of 10.
2. Tomatoes - According to the article, tomatoes grow in compact clusters. This plant grows well both in the ground or in containers. The article suggests planting tomatoes in sunny areas. Tomatoes have a NGB rating of nine out of 10.
3. Peppers - Bell peppers are ideal crops to cultivate in limited spaces as they grow up, rather than out. Small peppers may also thrive well in small spaces. The article suggests planting bell peppers along the garden's landscape as an ornamental crop. The plants can also be grown in pots. The NGB has given peppers a rating of 6.4 out of 10.
4. Peas - Peas show high yields especially during spring when it is in season. The article suggests planting other crops in its place during summer and fall to maximize the limited space. The NGB has given peas a rating of 6.9 out of 10.
5. Pole beans - Pole beans are ideal for gardens with limited spaces as they can be grown in poles or trellis. Pole beans attained an NGB rating of 6.8 out of 10.



6. Squash - While it is known to take up as much space as possible in a typical garden, growing squash vertically may still produce a high yield. Squash is among highly-rated crops with a NGB rating of 7.2 out of 10.
7. Cucumber - Same with squash, cucumbers can take up as much garden space as possible if left on their own. The article suggests that gardeners grow cucumber vertically. The article also suggests choosing compact or bush varieties of cucumber if gardeners want to grow them in containers. The NGB has given cucumbers a high rating of 6.9 out of 10.
8. Beets - Beets are ideal for gardens with limited spaces as these plants can be easily grown in pots. According to the article, beet greens can be consumed early in the season, while the actual root crops can be harvested later in the season. Beets attained an NGB rating of 6.6 out of 10.
9. Herbs - Herbs are known to be compatible with practically any other crops, making them a staple in companion gardening. Herbs grow year round, especially in USDA zones nine through 11 where foggy, damp, rainy coastal climates are prevalent. A number of herbs -- such as parsley, rosemary, sage and  lavender, as well as thyme, oregano and dill -- should be grown during the spring as they may encounter difficulties in sprouting during fall and winter. However, once they survive cooler moths, herbs produce a high-yield all year round.
10. Radishes - Radishes take a short time to mature, making them ideal for gardens with limited spaces. According to the article, radishes only take 45 days to reach harvest size. This will enable gardeners to grow other plants once harvest was done, further optimizing the garden's space. The NGB has given radishes a high rating of 6.1 out of 10.

These plants will make indoor gardening a fun and enjoyable experience! What's more, all of these suggested vegetables offer numerous health benefits.

Learn the basics of gardening at Homesteading.news

Sources include: 

TheBalance.com

BonniePlants.com

MotherEarthNews.com

HomeGuides. SFGate.com

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