# How To Grow Vegetables

> World vegetables, spices and novelty crops for US gardens: Asian greens, hot chillies, ginger, saffron, okra, rice and more, zone by zone.

## Crop families

- [Leafy greens](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/leafy-greens/): Bok choy, napa cabbage, gai lan, tatsoi, water spinach, amaranth and moringa.
- [Herbs & spices](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/herbs-spices/): Ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, Thai basil, shiso, saffron, wasabi, cardamom and black pepper.
- [Gourds & melons](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/gourds-melons/): Bitter melon, luffa, winter melon, bottle gourd, snake gourd and chayote.
- [Fruiting vegetables](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/fruiting-vegetables/): Okra, tomatillo, roselle and the world’s hottest and most interesting chillies.
- [Roots & tubers](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/roots-tubers/): Daikon, taro, cassava, lotus root, jicama, yacon, oca and sweet potato.
- [Beans & legumes](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/beans-legumes/): Edamame, yardlong bean, winged bean, mung, chickpea, lentil and fava.
- [Alliums](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/alliums/): Garlic, bunching onion, Chinese leek and shallot.
- [Grains & novelty crops](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/grains-novelty/): Rice, sugar cane, quinoa, sorghum, peanut and teff in a home garden.

## More

- [About Theo Marsh and How To Grow Vegetables](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/about/): Who writes How To Grow Vegetables: an editorial pen name, a small independent publisher, and a promise to be honest about zones and limits.
- [Asian Vegetables to Grow in Your US Garden](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/collections/asian-vegetables/): Asian vegetables you can grow in a US garden: edamame, luffa, ginger, turmeric, lemongrass and shallot, how long each takes and which suit pots.
- [Contact](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/contact/): How to reach the How To Grow Vegetables editorial team about corrections, partnerships or general questions.
- [Corrections](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/corrections/): How to report an error in a How To Grow Vegetables guide, and how we handle and record corrections.
- [Editorial policy](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/editorial-policy/): How How To Grow Vegetables decides what to publish, how guides are reviewed, how images are labelled and where commercial interests stop.
- [Fastest Growing Vegetables: Days to Harvest, Fast to Slow](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/blog/fastest-growing-vegetables/): Fastest growing vegetables ranked from fast to slow: shallot, okra and edamame in 50–90 days, ginger and garlic in 8 months, with every source's number.
- [Heat Tolerant Vegetables: Which of Ours Like Summer](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/blog/heat-tolerant-vegetables/): Heat tolerant vegetables for US summers: okra, sweet potato, peanut, luffa, lemongrass, ginger and turmeric, what our sources say and where heat is a limit.
- [How we research](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/how-we-research/): How each growing guide is built: which sources we use, how we write for your USDA zone, and what we do when sources disagree.
- [Perennial Vegetables: What Comes Back Each Year in the US](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/collections/perennial-vegetables/): Perennial vegetables for US gardens: which of our crops return in warm zones, which need a pot or a fresh start each year, and which guides are coming soon.
- [Privacy policy](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/privacy/): What data How To Grow Vegetables collects, why, and how to contact us about your information.
- [Regrow Vegetables From Kitchen Scraps: What Works](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/collections/regrow-from-kitchen-scraps/): Regrow ginger, turmeric, lemongrass and sweet potato from grocery-store pieces: what to buy, what to expect, and where our sources say it can fail.
- [Soil Temperature for Planting Vegetables: The 65°F Rule](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/guides/soil-temperature-for-planting/): Soil temperature for planting vegetables: the 65°F (18°C) rule for okra, sweet potato and peanut, where sources differ, how to measure it and what goes in cold.
- [Spice Garden: What to Grow in a US Spice Garden](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/collections/spice-garden/): Plan a US spice garden: ginger, turmeric and lemongrass for pots and warm months, garlic and shallot for fall, and which spices are still to come.
- [Vegetable Planting Calendar: How to Read and Adjust It](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/guides/vegetable-planting-calendar/): A vegetable planting calendar for 10 crops with sowing and harvest windows from extension sources, and how to shift each one to your own last-frost date.
- [Vegetables to Grow in Containers: What Our Sources Say](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/guides/vegetables-in-containers/): Vegetables to grow in containers: ginger, lemongrass, turmeric, sweet potato and luffa have pot guidance, while okra and peanut do not. See what is documented.
- [Vegetables to Plant in Fall: What Our Guides Cover](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/blog/vegetables-to-plant-in-fall/): Vegetables to plant in fall: garlic, shallot sets and a late okra crop, with what our extension sources say and an honest note on our short catalogue.
- [What to Plant in November: Garlic, Shallots and Cleanup](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/blog/what-to-plant-in-november/): What to plant in November: garlic and shallot sets by region from extension sources, plus what to dig, lift or bring indoors before frost takes the rest.
- [Work with us](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/work-with-us/): Partnering with How To Grow Vegetables: what we accept, what we don’t, and how sponsored content is labelled.

## Beans & legumes

- [Edamame Plant: How to Grow Edamame in Your Garden](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/beans-legumes/edamame/): How to grow edamame in the US: sow after the last frost, seeds 2 inches apart and 1½ inches deep, harvest 70–90 days later when pods are green and full.
- [When to Harvest Edamame: Pod Fill, Timing and Storage](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/beans-legumes/edamame/harvesting/): When to pick edamame: green, full pods at about 85% pod fill, 70–90 days after planting. Pod size cues, staggered sowing and how to chill the beans.

## Herbs & spices

- [Ginger Plant: How to Grow Ginger at Home in the US](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/herbs-spices/ginger/): How to grow ginger from a rhizome in a pot or in the ground: when to plant, how deep, how much sun and water, and when to dig it up. Written for US gardens.
- [Growing Ginger in Pots: Containers, Indoors and Winter](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/herbs-spices/ginger/in-containers/): How to grow ginger in containers: pot size, soil, light, watering, when to move pots outside and how to bring ginger indoors before the first frost.
- [Growing Turmeric in Pots: Size, Sun, Water and Repotting](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/herbs-spices/turmeric/in-containers/): Grow turmeric in containers outside zones 8–11: how Penn State says to do it, plus pot size logic, sun, water, repotting and when to dig the rhizomes.
- [How to Grow Ginger From Store-Bought Ginger](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/herbs-spices/ginger/from-scraps/): How to grow ginger from ginger: choose a plump grocery rhizome, soak it, cut and callus the pieces, then plant buds up in a deep pot. Step by step.
- [How to Grow Lemongrass From Grocery-Store Stalks](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/herbs-spices/lemongrass/from-scraps/): Root lemongrass from grocery-store stalks in water or potting mix, or divide a clump. What to look for, how it works and what the sources say about it.
- [How to Grow Turmeric From Grocery-Store Rhizomes](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/herbs-spices/turmeric/from-scraps/): Plant turmeric rhizomes from the grocery store: choose plump pieces with buds, cut to size, plant 3–4 inches deep in spring and keep them watered.
- [How to Harvest Lemongrass: Stalk Size and Cutting](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/herbs-spices/lemongrass/harvesting/): How to harvest lemongrass: cut stems at ground level when about ½ inch thick, and harvest or dig before the first freezing night. Plus what to do at season end.
- [Lemongrass in Pots: Zones, Indoors and Winter Care](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/herbs-spices/lemongrass/in-containers/): Grow lemongrass in pots: why containers suit zones colder than 8, how to keep it indoors, and how to acclimate it for winter. Sun, water and frost rules.
- [Lemongrass Plant: How to Grow Lemongrass in the US](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/herbs-spices/lemongrass/): How to grow lemongrass in a pot or in the ground: sun, water, zones, rooting grocery stalks, overwintering indoors and when to cut the stems. For US gardens.
- [Turmeric Plant: How to Grow Turmeric at Home in the US](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/herbs-spices/turmeric/): How to grow turmeric from rhizomes in a pot or in the ground: zones, sun, water, planting depth, problems and when to dig the roots in fall. US guide.
- [When and How to Harvest Ginger: Baby, Mature, Storage](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/herbs-spices/ginger/harvesting/): When to harvest ginger, how to dig the whole plant, the difference between baby and mature ginger and how to store fresh ginger for weeks or months.
- [When and How to Harvest Turmeric (and Store It)](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/herbs-spices/turmeric/harvesting/): When to harvest turmeric: dig the rhizomes when the leaves dry out and wilt in fall, or January to March in Hawaii. Early harvest, storage and drying.

## Fruiting vegetables

- [Growing Okra in Containers: What We Know](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/fruiting-vegetables/okra/in-containers/): Growing okra in containers: our extension sources do not test pots, so here is what they say okra needs (sun, heat, drainage, water) and what is a guess.
- [How to Grow Okra From Seed (Soil Temp and Depth)](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/fruiting-vegetables/okra/from-seed/): How to grow okra from seed: wait for 65°F soil, sow ¾–1 in. deep, plant extras and thin to one plant, or start indoors where the soil stays cold. Sourced steps.
- [How to Grow Okra: Planting, Care and Harvest](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/fruiting-vegetables/okra/): How to grow okra: sow ¾–1 in. deep once soil hits 65°F, thin, water in dry spells, and pick 2–3 in. pods at least every two days from about day 60–70.
- [When and How to Harvest Okra (Pod Size, Storage)](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/fruiting-vegetables/okra/harvesting/): When to harvest okra: pick pods at 2–3 in. long, at least every two days, from about 60–70 days after planting. How to store pods for up to a week.

## Grains & novelty crops

- [Growing Peanuts in Containers: What the Sources Say](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/grains-novelty/peanut/in-containers/): Growing peanuts in containers: no source tests pots, but they do say peanuts need warm, well-drained soil, calcium and cool pegging soil. What that means.
- [How Peanuts Grow: Flower, Peg, Pod Underground](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/grains-novelty/peanut/how-it-grows/): How peanuts grow: a yellow flower above ground, a peg that pushes into the soil, then a pod that ripens underground in 120–150 days. Not a tree nut.
- [How to Grow Peanuts: Planting, Pegging and Harvest](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/grains-novelty/peanut/): How to grow peanuts in warm US gardens: plant raw seed once soil hits 65°F, keep it moist while pegs reach the soil, dig at 120–150 days, then cure the pods.
- [When and How to Harvest, Cure and Store Peanuts](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/grains-novelty/peanut/harvesting/): When to harvest peanuts: lift a few plants, check the pods, dig when 65–70% are dark inside the hull, then dry in the sun for a week and cure 2–3 more weeks.

## Roots & tubers

- [Growing Sweet Potatoes in Containers (Bush Types)](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/roots-tubers/sweet-potato/in-containers/): Growing sweet potatoes in containers: Penn State says bush types Porto Rico and Vardaman work in large pots. What is sourced, what is not, and how to adapt it.
- [How to Grow Sweet Potato Slips From a Sweet Potato](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/roots-tubers/sweet-potato/from-scraps/): How to grow sweet potato slips from a store-bought sweet potato: bury it halfway in moist soil at 75°F for 6–8 weeks, harden off 10 in. slips, then plant out.
- [How to Grow Sweet Potatoes: Slips, Planting, Harvest](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/roots-tubers/sweet-potato/): How to grow sweet potatoes: start slips 6–8 weeks ahead, plant 3–4 weeks after the last frost into 65°F soil, harvest at 90–120 days, then cure and store them.
- [How to Harvest, Cure and Store Sweet Potatoes](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/roots-tubers/sweet-potato/harvesting/): How to harvest sweet potatoes: dig 90–120 days after planting, before the first killing frost, cure 1–2 weeks at 80–85°F, then store at 50–60°F, never colder.

## Alliums

- [How to Grow Garlic: Plant in Fall, Harvest in Summer](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/alliums/garlic/): How to grow garlic from cloves: plant in fall, let it winter over, harvest when 40–60% of the leaves yellow, then cure it. Depth, spacing and care by extension.
- [How to Grow Shallots: Sets, Planting Time and Harvest](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/alliums/shallot/): How to grow shallots from sets in fall or spring: depth, spacing, care, harvest when the tops fall over, then cure and store them for six months or more.
- [How to Harvest, Cure and Store Garlic](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/alliums/garlic/harvesting/): How to harvest garlic: dig when 40–60% of the leaves have yellowed, cure about three weeks until the outer leaves are dry, then store at 32–35°F.
- [How to Harvest, Cure and Store Shallots](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/alliums/shallot/harvesting/): How to harvest shallots: pull green tops at 6–8 in. or dig dry bulbs once the tops fall over, cure 1–2 weeks, then store at 32–40°F for six months or more.
- [Types of Garlic: Hardneck vs Softneck Compared](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/alliums/garlic/varieties/): Types of garlic compared: hardneck makes a scape, softneck stores longest. Named varieties from Penn State, what each type is best for and what is not known.
- [When to Plant Garlic: Fall Planting Dates by Region](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/alliums/garlic/when-to-plant/): When to plant garlic: in fall, early enough for roots to form before the ground freezes. UGA's Georgia window, why cold matters and how to set your own date.
- [When to Plant Shallots: Fall vs Spring Sets](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/alliums/shallot/when-to-plant/): When to plant shallots: spring as soon as soil can be worked, or fall for a late-spring harvest. What Utah State, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Arkansas advise.

## Gourds & melons

- [How to Grow Luffa From Seed: Start Indoors Early](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/gourds-melons/luffa/from-seed/): How to grow luffa from seed: soak the seeds 24 hours, start them indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost, then plant out into warm soil on a trellis.
- [Luffa Plant: How to Grow Luffa Gourds and Sponges](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/gourds-melons/luffa/): How to grow luffa (loofah) in the US: start seeds early, give it a sturdy trellis and 6+ hours of sun, then harvest young to eat or mature for sponges.
- [Luffa Sponges: When to Harvest, Peel and Dry Them](https://howtogrowvegetables.xyz/gourds-melons/luffa/harvesting/): When to harvest luffa young to eat or mature for sponges: skin loose and brittle, how to peel, shake out the seeds, soak out stains and dry the sponge.