If you’re eager to see quick results in your garden, fast-growing vegetables are the way to go. Whether you're short on time, space, or just love the satisfaction of harvesting sooner, these speedy crops deliver fresh, homegrown goodness in as little as three to eight weeks.
Here’s your ultimate guide to 20 vegetables you can grow and harvest in under 60 days — perfect for spring and summer planting!
🥕 1. Radishes (20–30 Days)
One of the fastest vegetables out there! Radishes thrive in cool weather and are perfect for beginner gardeners. Plant directly in the soil and thin early.
🥬 2. Leaf Lettuce (30–45 Days)
Loose-leaf lettuce varieties grow quickly and can be harvested as soon as the leaves are big enough to eat. Great for cut-and-come-again harvesting.
🌿 3. Spinach (30–45 Days)
Cold-hardy and quick to mature, spinach loves early spring. Keep it well-watered and harvest baby leaves for salads.
🌱 4. Arugula (20–40 Days)
A spicy, peppery green that grows incredibly fast. Best when harvested young before it bolts in the heat.
🧅 5. Green Onions (30–40 Days)
Also called scallions, these grow well from seed or sets and don’t need much space. Perfect for container gardens.
🥬 6. Baby Kale (25–30 Days)
Tender, young kale leaves are perfect for smoothies and salads. Harvest early for milder flavor.
🥕 7. Baby Carrots (50–60 Days)
Choose small or round carrot varieties for a faster crop. Keep the soil loose for straight roots.
🥬 8. Mustard Greens (30–40 Days)
Fast to grow and packed with flavor, mustard greens are ideal for cool-weather planting.
🥦 9. Bok Choy (30–45 Days)
Baby bok choy matures quickly and is great in stir-fries. Plant in spring or fall for best results.
🌿 10. Beets (40–55 Days)
You get two harvests in one — roots and greens. Pick young for tender, sweet flavor.
🌱 11. Cress (15–20 Days)
The fastest-growing green around! Perfect for windowsill gardening or quick salad boosts.
🌱 12. Mâche (Corn Salad) (40–50 Days)
A cold-loving green with a mild, nutty flavor. Grows well in early spring or fall.
🫘 13. Bush Beans (45–60 Days)
These compact plants are prolific producers. Look for early-yielding varieties.
🥒 14. Pickling Cucumbers (50–60 Days)
Smaller cucumber varieties grow quickly and are perfect for small gardens or containers.
🥬 15. Baby Swiss Chard (30–40 Days)
Colorful, nutritious, and ready fast. Harvest outer leaves and let the plant keep producing.
🌱 16. Turnips (40–60 Days)
Both roots and greens are edible. Smaller varieties mature quickly and taste best when young.
🧄 17. Garlic Greens (30 Days)
Grow garlic just for the greens! Use them like scallions in recipes.
🌿 18. Dill (40–50 Days)
A fragrant herb that sprouts quickly and adds flavor to dishes and pickles alike.
🌿 19. Cilantro (30–45 Days)
Harvest fresh leaves early before it bolts in hot weather. Excellent in salsas and salads.
🥒 20. Summer Squash (50–60 Days)
Zucchini and other bush squash varieties grow fast and produce heavily with the right care.
🌟 Pro Tips for Quick Harvests:
-
Use quality seeds and fresh soil to speed up germination.
-
Direct sow when possible to save transplant time.
-
Water consistently and feed lightly with organic fertilizer.
-
Harvest early for the best taste and texture.
Whether you’re a new gardener or just love speedy results, these 20 fast-growing vegetables can help you make the most of your growing season. Happy harvesting!