5 Best Low-Maintenance Edible Plants

Which are the 5 best low-maintenance edible plants? If you are looking for a way to have a garden that requires little work, then look no further than low-maintenance edible plants. These types of plants require very little care and maintenance. In fact, you can easily grow your own vegetables on a very small piece of land in your backyard. With this type of gardening, you do not need to use any soil, fertilizer, or pesticides. There are some easy ways that will help you to have a great tasting, fresh salad all year round.

In this article, you are going to discover the 5 best low-maintenance edible plants you can grow and maintain yourself.

1. Kale

Kale is one of the 5 best low-maintenance edible plants that provide beautiful dark green foliage and dark green veins. It grows well in a variety of climates and is easy to grow.  Kale is not a difficult vegetable to begin with, and the more you know upfront about these considerations, the easier it will likely be for you to figure out just what it is that you’re going to need.

Here are some tips to grow Kale low maintenance herb in a home garden. Hopefully, by the time you’ve finished reading this, you’ll have some great new kale planting ideas!

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1.1 Tips for Growing Kale

1.1.1 Requirement of Sunlight

You want to make sure that you give your plants plenty of sunlight. However, make sure that it gets more than just the usual amount of sunlight.

1.1.1.1 Provide 6-8 Hours of Sunlight

This one of the 5 best low-maintenance edible plants will grow year round in an area that gets six to eight hours of sun a day. Some varieties like St. Augustine can be grown in a variety of soil types. Try different types of soil and find out which one is best for your Kale plant.

1.1.2 Provide Adequate Space for Growth

Kale needs a lot of room to grow.

1.1.2.1 Don’t Space it Too Close

If you space it too close to your plants you might find roots getting tangled up in the soil. If this happens the roots may not grow properly and you may end up with uneven growing conditions. Make sure you give it room to grow!

1.1.3 Best Type of Soil to Grow Kale

A consideration for anyone looking for a low-maintenance vegetable is the soil that you’re going to be using. So, let’s talk about the kinds of soil that your plants can grow in.

1.1.3.1 Use Clay Soil

Clay soils are beneficial to a wide variety of vegetables, including Kale.

• However, they are not the only low maintenance vegetables that can flourish in this type of soil.
• On the other hand, some of the vegetables that are really known for their need for a lot of water, like iceberg lettuce, are not able to do well in clay soils at all.

2. Rhubarb

Rhubarb is one of the 5 best low-maintenance edible plants, a vine with a bitter taste and a fibrous inner bark. Growing rhubarb is not only a delightful and educational hobby but also a good way to save money. In addition to the pleasure of watching the beautiful blooms on a regular basis, you will find that your budget will be considerably reduced by growing your own rhubarb.

As this plant requires low maintenance it is the best way to save money while at the same time enjoying the great taste in the flavor of rhubarb is to grow it yourself. That being said, a list of tips to grow rhubarb is available that can help you get started. More information about this one of the 5 best low-maintenance edible plants.

2.1 Interesting Features of Rhubarb

In spite of the fact that it is not so hard to grow, rhubarb has a number of interesting qualities.

• It is low-maintenance and very easy to grow.
• One of its interesting features is that it can withstand a lot of soil erosion. It may, however, be susceptible to frost.

2.2 Characteristics of Rhubarb

• Rhubarb leaves are dark green in color.
• It grows up to two feet tall and has a fissured bark.
• It flowers at maturity and the flowers are about three inches in diameter.
• The rhubarb flower may produce up to six flowers at one time.
• The rhubarb fruit is very sweet and may be eaten raw or used in cooking.

2.3 Tips for Growing Rhubarb

2.3.1 Use Good Soil

It is important to start with good soil.

• This combination of organic materials such as gravel or stones and coarse sand can be found in most garden centers.

2.3.1.1 Provide Enough Nutrients

The most important thing to remember when growing any vegetable or flower is to ensure that it receives enough nutrients for it to grow properly.

• For this reason, keep in mind that the rhubarb plant should not receive more nutrients than what it needs.
• Many experts recommend using half-strength liquid fertilizer for all soil types, but that is something that you will need to experiment with.

2.3.2 Grow at a Cool and Dry Place

It is also beneficial to make sure that the rhubarb is placed in a cool, dry area.

• While the rhubarb itself does not need sunlight, it will become much healthier if it is placed in a cool area of your garden.
• This will help to prevent it from becoming leafy and encourages growth.

2.3.3 Water Requirement

One of the main things that you need to do in order to grow rhubarb is to ensure that it receives plenty of water.

• The rhubarb root actually receives only about one inch of water per day.
• Just make sure that you keep the water inside of the container until the rhubarb begins to dry out completely.

2.4 Skincare and Hair-care Benefits

Rhubarb is also used to treat skin problems, as it contains natural anti-inflammatory properties.

2.4.1 Anti-inflammatory Properties

It can be used as a gentle, non-toxic wash for cuts, scrapes, and bruises.

• Applying rhubarb on the scalp to keep hair smooth and healthy has also been known to have positive results.

2.4.2 Regrow Hair

• Many people who suffer from baldness have found that rhubarb helps to regrow their hair.
• As it is rich in calcium, this can help prevent loss and encourage the growth of healthy hair.

3. Pole Beans

It is one of the 5 best low-maintenance edible plants. Growing pole beans as a low-maintenance vegetable is fun, rewarding, and sustainable. Pole beans are perennial vines that grow up to six feet tall. They are most attractive to gardeners with large greenhouses.

Growing pole beans is a great way to grow your favorite vegetables without the need to buy organic produce or go to a farm market to buy “grass-fed” food. Growing pole beans as a vegetable is a healthy and rewarding project to take on for the whole family. This article shares some useful tips for preparing for pole beans planting.

3.1 Tips for Growing Pole-beans

3.1.1 Know About the Type of Soil

Find out the type of soil in your area has. This would be your first step to growing pole beans.

• In your area, you could go and check the soil’s PH level.
• If it’s too high or too low, you probably won’t be able to grow pole beans.

3.1.1.1 Use Good-Drainage Soil

Growing pole beans is also easier if you make use of soil that has good drainage.

• Since pole beans do not have any large roots, it is best that you start them in loose soil.
• However, if you don’t have this type of soil, you can still go ahead and plant them in potting soil.

3.1.2 Location for Growing Pole-beans

Prepare the soil by removing the weeds and making necessary adjustments to the soil.

3.1.2.1 Provide Plenty of Sun

The location you chose should receive plenty of sunlight.

• Most importantly, add compost to the soil to give it nutrients.

3.1.3 Provide Space to Grow

Another tip about growing this one of the 5 best low-maintenance edible plants is that It is important that you leave enough room for root growth after you seed the soil, approximately one to two feet.

• Once the beans begin to appear, they will produce a large number of beans but it will take several months for them to mature.

3.1.4 Watering

The amount of water you apply will vary depending on the time of year and the quality of the soil.

• Do not water your pole-bean plants more than once a week, because this will cause them to wilt.
• If the weather is dry, you may consider providing weekly watering.

3.1.5 Pruning

Another thing that you need to consider when growing pole beans is the timing of you prune.

• You should cut your bean plants when their size increases.
• This is usually around six to eight weeks after they were planted. 

4. Arugula

Arugula comes next in the list of the 5 best low-maintenance edible plants. One of the most popular Mediterranean herbs, Arugula can be grown in home gardens or on balconies, patio decks, and other outbuilding locations. The plant has a long history of being a major food source for the Mediterranean people. This is why it is so easy to grow Arugula. It takes very little care to maintain and grow an abundance of these herbs. Here are just a few good reasons why this plant is a great choice for growing in one’s orchid garden.

4.1 Tips for Growing Arugula

4.1.1 Provide Adequate Amount of Water

It is also extremely important for the health of the Arugula plant to keep it well hydrated.

• If it becomes too dry, then it can begin to wilt and die.
• The best way to keep the Arugula plant healthy and growing properly is to provide it with an adequate amount of water.

4.1.2 Feed Your Plants

In addition to water, you will also need to feed your Arugula plant.

• Many people tend to think that the plant only needs food when it is in bloom.
• This is not the case however, and the Arugula plant will also do well if you feed it once a week during the growing season.

4.1.2.1 Provide Nitrogen-Based Fertilizer

For the most part, it will need nitrogen-based fertilizer. This will be very helpful in growing the plant to its full potential.

4.1.2.2 Add Nitrogen and Sulfur Mix

If the soil in your garden is too barren, it will benefit to add some nutrients like nitrogen and sulfur to the mix.

• These are both necessary for the Arugula’s root cells to grow.

4.1.2.3 Best Time to Fertilize

However, the best time to fertilize it is in the early spring.

4.1.3 Pruning

Some experts recommend pruning the plant regularly.

• The only rule of thumb is that it should never be done more than once a year.
• The Arugula can become very bushy, so it may be best to do this only during the spring.
• Pruning helps the plant to grow fuller and leaves to appear thicker. This also helps the plant to resist disease and bugs.

4.1.4 Growing Arugula in Pots

It is also important to choose the right container for your Arugula plant.

• It should be planted in pots that are wide, deep, and have good drainage.
• The potting soil needs to be made from high quality potting soil.
• To encourage early growth of the herbs, it is important to plant them in groups of three or four plants.

4.2 Reasons of Arugula Being a Good Choice

4.2.1 Grows Well in Every Kind of Soil

• One of the first reasons why this one of the 5 best low-maintenance edible plants is a good choice for growing in one’s orchids is because it grows extremely well in all kinds of soils.
• Even though it is commonly known for growing well in fields, it is actually a good plant to grow in the garden because it can tolerate some sand.
• This is especially important if you plan on planting the plant in the garden next to rocks or somewhere that has some amount of sand in the soil.

4.2.2 Grows in Low-light Conditions

Another thing that makes Arugula a good choice for growing is the fact that it can handle low light conditions.

• This is the perfect plant type for anyone who likes to grow plants under low light circumstances.

5. Fennel

The fennel bulb is a perennial herb that grows best in the Mediterranean and is adaptable to most conditions. It is one of the 5 best low-maintenance edible plants. You can easily grow fennel from seed, just purchase it and plant it in your garden. Fennel is an evergreen perennial, which means that it will keep growing year after year. Fennel is not sensitive to frost or moisture so it is very easy to maintain and it will tolerate most soil conditions.

5.1 Tips for Growing Fennel

If you are not sure where to start with growing fennel, there are some easy tips you can follow to get your garden off to a great start. Fennel is a perennial, so you do not have to wait for the plant to bloom to enjoy its benefits. Here are some tips for getting started with this one of the 5 best low-maintenance edible plants.

5.1.1 Watering

Keep your fennel planting area well-watered when you plant it. Because it has short roots, it will need to be watered often to keep it growing.

• Overwatering is not good for the plant’s health and can cause it to rot, so you should plan to water less often.
• If you are looking to grow fennel in a soil that it can easily live in, you should add one teaspoon of lime per 10-inch pot to help the soil’s acidity level.

5.1.2 Provide Right Amount of Sunlight, water and Nutrients

Growing a fennel in your garden is easy when you understand its needs and requirements.

• You should make sure that the plant gets the right amount of sunlight, water, and nutrients.
• Do not let your fennel’s bulb drop below the base, because this can be poisonous.
• Make sure that your fennel’s growth is not stunted by cutting off some of its leaves or even killing the plant with a disease.

5.1.3 Best Temperature for Growing Fennel

Avoid getting your fennel stressed out because it can cause the plant to die.

• The best temperature for your fennel is around seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit.

5.1.4 Best Fertilizers for Fennel

It is also a good idea to use organic fertilizers for your fennel needs. If possible, you can also get the nutrients that you need from organic materials.

5.1.4.1 Use Compost

However, there are still many fertilizers that are made especially for organic material only.

• These are commonly known as compost and they are really helpful in giving your plants the right nutrients that they need in order for them to grow properly.

5.1.5 Pruning

The next tip for growing a fennel plant is to know how to prune your fennel plant.

5.1.5.1 Remove Dead Parts Only

When you prune your plant, you should only remove the dead or broken parts of it.

5.1.5.2 Leave Healthy Parts Intact

Just leave the healthy part of the plant intact so it can continue to produce new shoots.

5.1.5.3 Pinch the Branches

You can pinch off some of its branches, so it will grow more beautiful. You also have to remove any other fallen leaves or branches so the fennel will be able to absorb its nutrients well.

6. Conclusion

It was all you need to know about the 5 best low-maintenance Edible Plants. While growing Low-maintenance edibles are important to ensure the health of your plants. They are also easier to maintain compared to vegetables that need more attention and time. These edible plants must also be able to withstand frequent watering or get an adequate amount of water. Too much water may make the plant drown and eventually die. On the other hand, too little water may cause the plant to become too dry and suffocate. Thus follow the tip mentioned above in order to grow the 5 best low-maintenance edible plants effectively.