If you’ve been thinking about growing your own food, now is the time to get into edible gardening. Here in USDA Zones 7-8, May is one of the best planting windows of the year. The soil is warm, frost is behind us, and summer-loving crops are ready to thrive. The best part? Edible gardening doesn’t have to mean a giant vegetable patch. A few raised beds, a sunny patio, or even a handful of containers can produce an impressive harvest of fruits, vegetables, and herbs all season long.
Here are some edible snacks worth planting now:
Veggies Worth the Space
Cherry Tomato
A must-have in every edible garden. Sweet, productive, and easy to snack on right off the vine, cherry tomatoes thrive in our summer heat and keep producing all season long. There are so many different varieties in-store, from heirloom to classic faves like Sweet 100. Plus, determinate and indeterminate varieties that may suit your needs differently.
Sweet Pepper
Colorful, crunchy, and easy to grow, snack peppers are perfect for raised beds or containers. Harvest them green or let them ripen to their full color. Many sweet peppers can also be grown in containers with tomatoes as they have similar growing needs. However, you might want to ask our Green Team for the best planting companions.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are fast-growing, productive, and ideal for gardeners looking for quick results. Smaller “snacking” varieties are especially fun to grow and easy to harvest. Give them a trellis or cage to grow vertically, which saves space, improves airflow, and helps keep fruit cleaner and straighter.
Zucchini & Yellow Squash
Few plants make gardeners feel more successful than summer squash. These vigorous growers establish quickly and produce heavily throughout summer. Harvest fruits young and often to keep plants producing. Be sure to give them plenty of room, these plants like to spread.
Bush Bean
Bush beans are perfect for beginners because they’re easy to direct sow, germinate quickly, and don’t require much support. They’re also one of the fastest crops to go from seed to harvest. Plant a few rounds throughout the season for an extended supply.
Okra
A warm-weather superstar, okra thrives once temperatures climb and doesn’t mind the humidity. It’s one of the easiest vegetables to grow through the hottest part of summer. Harvest pods when they’re young and tender, and enjoy the bonus of beautiful hibiscus-like flowers.
For overall help with your veggie garden, Espoma’s garden-tone is a great way to feed throughout the season.
Herbs You’ll Use Every Day
Basil
Basil and summer go hand in hand. It loves full sun, warm soil, and regular harvesting, so the more you pick from the main plant, the better it grows. Plant it near tomatoes for a classic edible pairing and easy kitchen access.
Parsley
Parsley is an underrated edible garden staple. It’s easy to grow, versatile in the kitchen, and productive for months. Flat-leaf and curly varieties both perform well and can handle a little afternoon shade during the hottest part of summer.
Chive
Compact and low-maintenance, chives are perfect for containers, raised beds, or even tucked into flower beds. Their mild onion flavor makes them easy to use, and the edible purple blooms are a bonus for both pollinators and salads.
Mint
Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, and one of the most enthusiastic. Its vigorous habit makes it ideal for containers, where it can stay contained while still providing plenty of fragrant leaves for teas, cocktails, and desserts.
Fruits for a Sweet Harvest
Strawberry
Strawberries are one of the most rewarding edible plants for families and first-time gardeners alike. They’re perfect for raised beds, hanging baskets, or decorative containers and reward you with sweet fruit just steps from your kitchen. Full sun and consistent moisture are the key to success.
Blueberry
Blueberries do double duty in the landscape, they’re productive and beautiful. Their spring blooms attract pollinators, their summer fruit is delicious, and their fall color adds seasonal interest. Be sure to plant in acidic soil (link) and, for best yields, grow more than one variety for cross-pollination.
Fig
Figs are a fantastic long-term addition to an edible landscape. Once established, they’re productive, heat-tolerant, and relatively low maintenance. Plant them in a sunny spot with room to grow, and you’ll be rewarded with sweet fruit for years to come.
Start with What You Love to Eat
The best edible gardens aren’t built around what’s trendy, they’re built around what you actually enjoy. Love fresh salsa? Grow tomatoes, peppers, and basil. Always reaching for berries? Add strawberries and blueberries. Want quick success? Start with cucumbers, beans, and squash. The season is here, the timing is right, and your future harvest is waiting, so if you’ve been thinking about edible gardening, this is your sign to start. To stay inspired and grow with us online, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok to explore more gardening tips and ideas.
