I love eating salads made out of green vegetables, so I know I am in the right place to get my own organic garden. In this post today, I have listed the 10 fast-growing salad vegetables to harvest for a short time so I can enjoy my favorite salad dishes all season.
I find they are the easiest vegetables to grow and only require basic care. In addition, these veggies have a short growing process, so I will harvest the first green leaves quickly for my daily meals.
If I live in an apartment and don’t have much space to grow them, I know I can still have my own green vegetable garden right in my living space. I find there are many salad greens and sprouts that grow well in containers on my kitchen windowsill or benchtop.
I believe growing them by myself gives me the best taste for my crunchy salad flavors. Now, tasty and organic salad vegetables are ready for my favorite dishes in a flash. Let me check them out!
#1 Arugula
I absolutely love arugula as a fast-growing, slightly bitter salad green from the same family as broccoli and kale. I find that after growing for about 40 days, it is ready to harvest for my peppery salads. Personally, I think this zesty idea is perfect for adding a gourmet kick to my everyday meals.
#2 Kale
I know kale prefers cool weather for its best growth, which makes it ideal for my spring and fall plantings. I can harvest this nutritious vegetable after growing for about 25 days, which feels incredibly fast. In my experience, this superfood idea keeps me healthy while satisfying my craving for crunchy salads.
#3 Cress
I am amazed by how cress is ready to harvest in just about 5 to 7 days after planting. I find the growing process so easy – I just sprinkle the seeds onto a moist paper towel, and after a couple of days when the seeds have sprouted, I move it to a bright windowsill. Or I can grow it in a pot for a bit longer for larger seedlings. Personally, I think this instant idea is perfect for impatient gardeners like me who want results almost immediately.
#4 Baby Spinach
I find that baby spinach is ready to harvest in a short time of just 4 to 6 weeks. I appreciate that this vegetable is an ideal cold-hardy salad green that provides fresh greenery for my meals even during the winter months. In my opinion, this tender idea is essential for my morning smoothies and light lunch salads.
#5 Lettuce
I enjoy growing lettuce because it matures in just 45 to 55 days to provide fresh greenery for my salads and sandwiches. I love that I can harvest its outside leaves without waiting for the plant to grow to full size, giving me an even earlier crop. Personally, I think this versatile idea is the backbone of my homegrown salad bowl.
#6 Chicory
I am intrigued by chicory with its rosette of green leaves that have a bitter, spicy taste. I find that when it matures, I just cut it above the soil level and it quickly re-sprouts for multiple harvests. In my experience, this resilient idea gives me incredible value from a single planting.
#7 Swiss Chard
I love that Swiss chard produces edible leaves and stalks that have a slightly bitter taste and beautiful rainbow colors. I find that after growing for about 50 to 65 days, I can start harvesting a few of the outside leaves while letting the plant continue producing. Personally, I think this colorful idea is as ornamental as it is delicious in my garden.
#8 Microgreens
I am fascinated by microgreens because they take just a week to mature. I find that when they have about four leaves, I can snip them off with scissors to harvest them. Some of the quickest growing microgreens I love are broccoli, radish, and cress. To grow them, I fill a small tray with potting mix, sprinkle the seeds on the surface, and place the tray on a sunny windowsill while keeping the soil moist. In my opinion, this nutrient-packed idea is the ultimate superfood shortcut for my kitchen.
#9 Beet Greens
I appreciate that beet greens not only give me fresh roots but also produce edible leaves to add to my delicious salads. I find that after growing for about 45 to 60 days, the plant starts producing green leaves about 6 inches long that I can harvest. Personally, I think this dual-purpose idea gives me two crops for the price of one.
#10 Alfalfa Sprouts
I find that alfalfa sprouts are incredibly fast-growing and ready to harvest in about 5 to 7 days. I enjoy adding a tablespoon of alfalfa seeds to a sprouting jar or a glass jar covered with gauze or cheesecloth, filling the jar with water and then letting it drain out. I do this every day until the sprouts are ready to eat. In my experience, this crunchy idea is the easiest way to add fresh nutrition to my sandwiches and wraps.
