Radishes, leaf lettuce, green beans, peas, basil, and cilantro are approachable crops to grow from seed, even if you are new to gardening. Five can usually be sown directly where they will grow; basil is often started indoors and moved outside after frost danger passes. “Easy” still depends on planting at the right time for your region, providing suitable light and drainage, and following the seed packet’s depth and spacing.
What makes a crop easy to grow from seed?
Begin with seeds that suit your local planting season and a spot with enough light and well-drained soil. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources says most garden vegetables and herbs need six to eight hours of direct sun daily. Some herbs, including cilantro, can tolerate light shade, but drainage remains important. These are useful starting points, not guarantees: climate, variety, and growing conditions affect results.
Use the seed packet for sowing depth and spacing rather than guessing. Seeds planted too deeply may not reach the surface; seeds planted too shallowly may wash away. Regional planting guides can help you choose a suitable window. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach notes that its easy-crop list is “somewhat subjective” and based on what novice gardeners have been observed to grow well, so think of these six as approachable examples, not a universal ranking.
Six beginner-friendly crops to grow from seed
1. Radishes
Radishes are a straightforward first crop to direct-sow. Iowa State Extension’s germination table gives a three-to-four-day germination window. That is the time for seeds to sprout under the table’s conditions—not a promise that radishes will be ready to harvest in that many days. Sow them during a locally suitable season and follow the packet’s depth and spacing.
#1 Best Overall
- Indoor Herb Garden: Grow your own indoor herb garden with our 12 variety pack of herb seeds. This kit includes homesteading essentials for a prolific kitchen garden.
- Variety: Includes basil seeds, chives seeds, cilantro seeds, dill seeds, marjoram seeds, oregano seeds, parsley seeds, sage seeds, thyme seeds, borage seeds, summer savory seeds & rosemary seeds. All fresh for the current planting season.
- Hydroponics: Herbs seeds are excellent for planting in hydroponics systems indoors! This is a planting method that doesn't use soil and has become increasingly popular in homestead gardens. Seeds for hydroponic garden indoor & outdoor.
- Culinary & Medicinal Herbs: The seeds within this collection / variety pack include both medicinal herb seeds and culinary herb seeds to grow and plant all sorts of versatile herbs in a home grown garden for cooking and medicine.
- Quality: All herbs seeds packaged by Seed Needs are intended for the current and the following growing seasons. All seeds are stored in a temperature controlled facility that is free of significant amounts of moisture.
2. Leaf lettuce
Leaf lettuce is a familiar edible crop and one of Iowa State Extension’s novice-friendly choices. Its table lists seven to 14 days to germination. Choose a locally appropriate cool-season planting window, and take care with sowing depth: lettuce seed is sown shallowly, so the packet directions matter.
3. Green beans
Green beans are among Iowa State Extension’s main easy-to-grow vegetables. North Carolina Cooperative Extension recommends sowing beans directly in the soil, avoiding the extra step of indoor transplanting. Plant when local conditions are suitable for beans, and use the packet to guide spacing and depth.
Rank #2
- USDA CERTIFIED ORGANIC & NON-GMO: Grow your own fresh culinary herbs with peace of mind. Our open pollinated, heirloom variety pack is 100% clean, natural, rigorously tested for germination, and proudly certified organic by Oregon Tilth.
- 10 GOURMET HERB VARIETIES: Elevate your home cooking with this curated kit of popular kitchen herbs: Thyme, Italian Oregano, Cilantro, Giant Italian Parsley, English Lavender, Genovese Basil, Broadleaf Sage, Bouquet Dill, Common Chives, and Thai Basil.
- GERMINATION GUARANTEE: Never worry about dud seeds again. We sustainably store our herb packets in temperature- and humidity-controlled facilities to maximize freshness, ensuring robust sprouting and a beautiful, thriving home garden. If any issues, we promise to make it right.
- EXPERT GROWING SUPPORT INCLUDED: Perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. Every purchase grants exclusive access to our step-by-step seed-starting video guides, plus on-packet planting tips to help your indoor or outdoor garden flourish.
- PERFECT FOR ALL GARDEN TYPES: Whether you are planting in a windowsill planter, raised backyard bed, or indoor kitchen hydroponics system, these versatile heirloom plants adapt beautifully to any environment for fresh, year-round harvesting.
4. Peas
Peas are another good direct-sowing choice. Their locally suitable planting window is cool-season, and North Carolina Cooperative Extension recommends sowing them directly rather than starting them indoors for transplanting. Iowa State Extension’s germination table gives a nine-to-14-day window; actual results depend on conditions and variety.
5. Basil
Basil is an approachable herb to start from seed. Maryland Extension describes starting it indoors and planting it outside after danger of frost has passed. Iowa State Extension lists 10 to 14 days for basil germination. If you choose an indoor start, trays and seed-starting mix are optional supplies—not prerequisites for growing these crops from seed.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteRank #3
- COMPLETE HERB GARDEN VARIETY PACK – Grow a flavorful herb garden with 12 essential varieties including Anise, Slow Bolt Basil, Italian Large Leaf Basil, Common Chives, Slow Bolt Cilantro, Cumin, Bouquet Dill, Italian Oregano, Flat Leaf Parsley, Broad Leaf Sage, Summer Savory, and Winter Thyme. Perfect for fresh, aromatic harvests at home.
- COMPLETE HERB GARDEN VARIETY PACK – Anise - Pimpinella anisum, Arugula Slow Bolt - Eruca vesicaria, Basil Italian Large Leaf - Ocimum basilicum, Chives Common Wonder - Coriandrum sativum, Cilantro Slow Bolt - Coriandrum sativum, Cumin - Cuminum cyminum, Dill Bouquet - Anethum graveolens, Oregano Italian - Origanum vulgare, Parsley Flat Leaf - Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum, Sage Broad Leaved - Salvia officinalis, Savory Summer - Satureja hortensis, Thyme Winter - Thymus vulgaris
- GROW A SELF-SUFFICIENT HERB GARDEN – Enjoy fresh, homegrown herbs for cooking, teas, and natural remedies while reducing grocery costs. Each pack includes an easy-to-follow growing guide to help ensure success in any garden.
- VERSATILE CULINARY & MEDICINAL USE – Grow herbs perfect for seasoning, preserving, and wellness use. Bring vibrant flavors to your kitchen while supporting a natural, sustainable lifestyle.
- INDIVIDUALLY PACKED FOR FRESHNESS – Every herb variety is sealed in its own resealable, moisture-resistant packet for long-term storage, easy organization, and maximum seed viability until planting time.
6. Cilantro
Cilantro can be sown directly where it will grow. Maryland Extension recommends direct sowing coriander (cilantro) because it does not transplant well. Iowa State Extension includes cilantro among its easier options for novice gardeners. Follow local planting guidance and the packet’s depth and spacing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Direct sow or start indoors?
| Crop | Practical starting method | Seasonal consideration | Germination guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radishes | Direct-sow | Follow the locally suitable planting window | 3–4 days, Iowa State Extension’s table |
| Leaf lettuce | Direct-sow | Cool-season timing; follow local guidance | 7–14 days, Iowa State Extension’s table |
| Green beans | Direct-sow | Follow local conditions for beans | 8–10 days, Iowa State Extension’s table |
| Peas | Direct-sow | Cool-season timing; follow local guidance | 9–14 days, Iowa State Extension’s table |
| Basil | Often start indoors, then plant outside after frost danger passes | Wait until frost danger has passed before planting outdoors | 10–14 days, Iowa State Extension’s table |
| Cilantro | Direct-sow; it does not transplant well | Follow the locally suitable planting window | Not stated in Iowa State Extension’s cited table |
The germination windows above come from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s germination guidance. They describe sprouting, not harvest time, and conditions or variety can change the result.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Curated Collection - This Collection features 30 of the most popular and high-yielding vegetables, herbs & fruit for home gardening, containing over 12000+ seeds. Help you cultivate a bountiful and healthy home garden.
- 30 Vegetables - Including Genovese Basil, Cilantro, Lavender, Parsley, Oregano, Bouquet Dill, Thyme, Chives, Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce, Iceberg Lettuce, Buttercrunch Lettuce, Bloomsdale Spinach, Dwarf Blue Curled Vates Kale, Beefsteak Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Roma Tomato, Cucumber, Carrot, Bell Pepper, Jalapeño Pepper, Contender Bean, Broccoli, Zucchini, Winter Squash, Cherry Belle Radish, Dark Red Beet, Evergreen Bunching Onion, Yellow Sweet Onion, Cantalouqe, Watermelon.
- Premium Seeds - All seeds in this collection are heirloom varieties,and open-pollinated. Sourced from trusted suppliers and tested for high germination rates to ensure exceptional quality and stunning harvests.
- Easy to Grow - Features easy-to-cultivate vegetable varieties suited for diverse growing conditions. Includes detailed planting guides suitable for both beginners and seasoned gardeners.
- Unique Garden Gift - This vegetable seed collection is crafted for home gardening, helping you create your own garden. It makes a unique gift for mothers, adults, and is also a great gardening present for men.
Rank #4
- Herb Seeds for Hydroponic Garden and Indoor Pots: These herb seeds for planting indoors thrive in hydroponic systems, AeroGarden, kitchen windowsill planters, or traditional soil. Perfect herbal seeds for apartment dwellers and urban gardeners short on outdoor space. Grow fresh herbs year-round in containers as small as 4 inches. Ideal seeds for planting herbs for renters, condo owners, and city gardeners who want homegrown flavor without a backyard.
- Perfect Christmas Gift for Gardeners & Home Chefs: This herb seed starter kit makes a thoughtful Christmas gift for mom, dad, or anyone who loves fresh ingredients. Ideal for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, housewarmings, birthdays, and stocking stuffers. Beautifully packaged in a resealable mylar bag—ready to gift. Give fresh rosemary for holiday roasts, mint for Christmas cocktails, and sage for Thanksgiving stuffing. A meaningful gardening gift that keeps growing all year.
- Non-GMO Heirloom Herb Seeds – High Germination & Beginner-Friendly: Every seed is 100% non-GMO and heirloom, save seeds season after season for continuous harvests. Germination rates above 85% mean even first-time gardeners see results in 7-14 days. These easy herbs for beginners to grow need no special equipment, just soil, water, and sunlight. Stop paying $3-5 per bunch at the grocery store when you can grow unlimited fresh herbs for pennies. Perfect for budget-conscious families.
- Grow Culinary Herb Seeds for Cooking, Teas, Crafts & Teaching Kids: These herbs aren’t just for cooking—brew fresh mint tea, dry lavender for sachets, make dill pickles from scratch, or use rosemary in homemade skincare. Teach children where food comes from with hands-on garden projects perfect for homeschool families and classrooms. Fresh herbs also make stunning kitchen décor in mason jars or hanging planters. Ideal for foodies, wellness enthusiasts, and parents seeking screen-free activities.
A simple setup for your first sowing
- Choose a crop that fits your calendar. Check a local planting guide, especially for cool-season crops such as lettuce and peas. Follow the seed packet for variety-specific guidance.
- Pick a suitable spot. Aim for six to eight hours of direct sun for most vegetables and herbs, with well-drained soil. Consider the crop and your local conditions rather than treating the sunlight guideline as a guarantee.
- Sow at the packet’s depth and spacing. For radishes, lettuce, beans, peas, and cilantro, direct sowing keeps the process simple. Basil can be started indoors if that suits your timing.
- Give seeds the conditions they need to sprout. Use the packet’s directions and allow for the crop’s germination window; sprouting time is not a harvest estimate.
Sources and regional guidance
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Five Easy to Grow Vegetables
- UC Agriculture and Natural Resources: Tips to Start a Home Garden for Beginners
- University of Maryland Extension: Care of Herbs and Starting Herbs from Seed
- North Carolina Cooperative Extension: Vegetable Seed Starting FAQs
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Germination Requirements for Annuals and Vegetables
- UF/IFAS: Starting from Seed
- UC Agriculture and Natural Resources: Seeds vs starts?
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
