Top 10 Vegetables To Grow

For a new gardener growing their first crops, achieving harvests that end up as family meals can be extremely motivating and rewarding. On this page, is my top 10 selection of vegetables to grow on a UK allotment, that I hope will help a new plot holder be successful in their first year. It is based on how easy the vegetables are to grow and their contribution to family meals. Please see this page for all the vegetable growing guides.

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1. Potatoes

Five pounds, or 2.5kg, of seed potatoes can easily turn into two or three sacks of potatoes that can be stored from autumn to the end of spring. If you inherit a healthy plot and practice good crop rotation, it’s likely you’ll find potatoes are relatively disease free. See my potato growing guide.

2. Beetroot

Easy to grow and very hardy, beetroot is also highly nutritious and full of vitamins. Apart from salads, beetroot makes excellent soups and can be baked, boiled, or roasted for a delicious sweet side dish. Also good for pickles and preserves. See my beetroot growing guide.

3. Onions

Onions are very reliable to grow if growing from onion sets rather than seed. Overwintering onions is possible (planting in October) but a very cold or wet winter can destroy the crop. I prefer to wait until spring. Onions can store very well for many months if dried properly and left in a cool (but not cold or damp) place. See my onion growing guide.

4. Leeks

Whether for soups, oven bakes, or as an alternative to onions in many dishes, leeks can be a good bet. Best of all, leeks are very hardy and can grow over the winter. They are one of the few vegetables that can be harvested in the spring. That is actually the main reason I’ve included them on the list. See my leek growing guide.

5. Kale

Kale is one of the most nutritious vegetables it is possible to grow. I think the standout feature of kale is its hardiness, with mature plants able to withstand the winter weather and provide a harvest from the autumn through to the spring. There’s no need to harvest the whole plant. By growing two or three plants, a few leaves can be harvested from each plant to provide a meal, allowing the plants to grow more leaves. See my kale growing guide.

6. Courgettes

Courgettes, or zucchini, are relatively easy to grow, and in fact when the plants get going in late June, they can be absolutely prolific. Three or four plants are more than enough to provide a weekly harvest through to September. Courgettes are frost sensitive, so a late frost will kill the plants. Sow the seed in a warm environment, and once the warm weather arrives outdoors, the plants grow very quickly to a large size, over a metre wide and almost as tall. See my courgettes growing guide.

7. French Beans

French beans grow really quickly, providing their nutritious harvest in midsummer, and provide a bounty of beans. Best of all, the more the beans are picked, the more beans are produced. There are two main types, dwarf French beans that can be grown in containers, and climbing French beans that need support. Overall, dwarf french beans are highly productive plants, but when small, they may need some protection from both birds and slugs.
See my French Beans growing guide.

8. Squash

Squashes come in all shapes and sizes, and most importantly for money saving, there are many varieties capable of being stored throughout the winter. They are delicious baked or turned into soups. A super tasting large vegetable that is easy to grow, easy to store, and available in many more varieties than it is possible to buy in a supermarket. See my squash growing guide.

9. Chard

I have selected colourful chard as an alternative to traditional spinach, as is it much easier to grow and less likely to bolt. Chard leaves and stems can be cooked and enjoyed wilted, just like spinach, but it also adds a delicious flavour to soups. What is more, chard is hardier and can survive longer into the autumn, extending the growing season. See my chard growing guide.

10. Runner Beans

Runner beans are frost sensitive and are planted relatively late in the spring, but they are fast growing and, once established, are capable of setting pods over many weeks from July until the first frosts. Excellent when steamed or as ingredients in stir fries and casseroles, the beans can also be frozen and enjoyed throughout winter. See my runner beans growing guide.

And Not Forgetting Herbs!

Many herbs are perennials, so any investment in a plant will enable you to add their delicious flavour to meals over many years. My favourite garden herbs are sage, rosemary, and thyme (and bay leaves from a small tree). From a care perspective, growing hardy herbs is very little work – the biggest commitment being an occasional prune.

You may also like to see my collection of allotment recipes.

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