6 Herbs and Vegetables That Are Easy to Grow From Seeds

Plants can be finicky to grow from seeds, but some vegetables and herbs are actually quite easy to start from seeds. For example, root vegetables do not handle transplanting well, making them prime seed-starting candidates.

And according to Adam Weiss, founder of Pike Lane Gardens, if you want to sow your own seeds and watch them flourish, early spring is the time to start. “In early spring, before the summer heat sets in, several vegetables thrive when directly sown from seed,” he says.

Here, gardening experts offer their insights and tips on six easy-to-grow herbs and veggies you should consider starting from seed.

Carrots

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Carrots are a common root vegetable that readily grows from seed. Plant carrot seeds in spring for a full harvest that can last through the fall. Carrots need 8 to 10 inches of soil depth to thrive, Weiss advises. “Plant carrot seeds every ½ inch or so,” he says. “Once they germinate and grow at least 1 inch high, you can thin them out to allow for optimal growth—about every 2 inches.”

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: At least 1 inch of water weekly
Soil: Well-draining, loose, slightly acidic soil

Beets

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Beets are hardy root vegetables that grow in many regions, tolerating cold and frost as well as heat. You can plant beets in spring or fall in most places. Like carrots, beets need a soil depth of 8 to 10 inches and should be spaced about ½ inch apart, Weiss says.

Harvest your beets when they reach about 3 to 4 inches tall, usually 7 to 8 weeks after planting.

Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11
Light: Full to partial sun
Water: At least once a week
Soil: Well-draining, neutral loamy soil

Basil

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Basil plants are popular to grow since they are beginner-friendly. These aromatic herbs are easy to grow from seeds. They are handy for home chefs who enjoy cooking with fresh herbs. “My top tip for planting basil is just to plant seeds far enough apart to where they will have room to grow,” says Ryan Farley, CEO of LawnStarter. “These plants spread, so don’t overcrowd them. And, of course, like most herbs, they will thrive in full sun.”

Plant basil seeds about ⅛ inches deep after the last frost.

Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
Light: Full sun
Water: Weekly watering to keep the soil moist
Soil: Well-draining, moist

Leaf Lettuce

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If you love salad, you can enjoy fresh salad greens by growing your own leaf lettuce. “Leaf lettuces are called ‘cut and come again’ lettuces,” Weiss says. “Once they grow 3 to 4 inches high, you can take scissors and harvest the top half. The lettuce will continue to grow, and depending on the cool weather, you can get anywhere from 2 to 4 harvests!”

Sow lettuce seeds about ¼ inch deep in moist, fertile soil.

Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11
Light: Full sun
Water: Every few days to keep the soil moist
Soil: Fertile, well-draining

Radishes

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Radishes are fast-growing vegetables that don’t need much space to flourish. “Radishes require very little room and are the quickest vegetable to harvest from seed,” Weiss says. “Since they take up minimal space, they are great for interplanting. They can be planted between rows of lettuce or strategically placed among other vegetable varieties.”

To plant radish, sow seeds about 2 inches apart and ½ inch deep in a sunny, well-draining location.

Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11
Light: Full sun
Water: 1 inch of water per week
Soil: Well-draining, loamy, sandy, moist

Snap Peas

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Snap peas are a fast-growing annual that grows well from seed when planted in the spring. “All types of peas grow vertically,” Weiss explains. “Either plant your peas along the border of a bed (where you can create a trellis) or, if growing in a container, plant around the perimeter so a stake can be placed in the center for support.” S

ow snap peas about 1 inch deep and 1 to 1½ inches apart.

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 11
Light: Full to partial sun
Water: Make sure the soil never dries out. Water 1 inch per week if there’s no rain.
Soil: Well-draining, loamy, moist

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