When you’re planting a veg patch, you don’t want to be waiting forever just to see a few leaves poke through.
That’s especially true if weeds are already racing ahead, which is often the case. Luckily, some vegetables are shockingly fast growers, even in tricky climates. Whether you’re dealing with a short growing season, weird weather, or just want a quick win, these 12 vegetables are hardy, fast, and reliable. No greenhouse needed, and they’ll often outpace the weeds if you give them a decent head start.
1. Radishes
Radishes are famously fast. In fact, some varieties go from seed to harvest in just 3 to 4 weeks. They don’t fuss about poor soil, and they’ll grow happily in containers or small beds. Perfect if you want instant gratification. They’re also cold-tolerant, which means you can plant them early in the season before most other crops are ready. As a bonus, their rapid growth helps shade out weed seedlings before they get a chance to take over.
2. Spinach
Spinach grows like a weed, but unlike weeds, you can actually eat it. It thrives in cooler weather, and many varieties are ready to harvest in just 4 to 6 weeks. Even if conditions aren’t perfect, spinach will usually power through. You can pick it leaf by leaf or cut whole bunches, and the more you pick, the faster it grows back. It’s a quick, low-maintenance way to fill out a raised bed or container garden.
3. Spring onions
If you want something you can plant and almost forget about, spring onions are a great shout. They germinate quickly and can be harvested in as little as 5 weeks depending on your climate. They don’t take up much space, and they grow well in awkward corners. Plus, because you usually pull them young, they’re ready long before the weeds get their act together.
4. Pak choi
Pak choi, or bok choy, is one of the fastest-growing leafy greens out there. In warm or cool climates, it’s happy either way, and you can harvest baby leaves in 3 weeks or let them grow bigger for about 6.It’s also great for filling gaps in your beds between slower crops like tomatoes or cabbages. It bolts in heat, but in spring or autumn? It’s unstoppable.
5. Lettuce (especially loose-leaf varieties)
Loose-leaf lettuce is much quicker than hearting types—think 4 to 6 weeks, tops. It does well in most climates, and you don’t need a perfect patch of soil to make it happy. If you harvest the outer leaves regularly, it just keeps growing. And because it grows fast and low to the ground, it naturally shades out a lot of potential weeds.
6. Mustard greens
Spicy, bold, and quick, mustard greens don’t mess about. You’ll see growth within days of planting, and full leaves in around 3 to 5 weeks. They love cool weather and aren’t picky about soil. They’re also great in stir-fries or raw salads for a peppery kick, and once they’re established, they practically manage themselves. Just don’t let them go to seed unless you want a whole mustard forest.
7. Turnips
Turnips grow fast and give you double the reward: greens and roots. Baby turnips can be harvested in under 6 weeks, and they don’t mind slightly colder weather or imperfect soil conditions. If you’re not fussy about size, you can pick them even sooner. They germinate quickly, and their wide leaves help keep the weed competition under control.
8. Arugula (rocket)
Rocket shoots up with very little effort and can be harvested in just 3 to 4 weeks. It loves cooler temperatures, and you can sow it in gaps throughout the season for regular harvests. It self-seeds easily too, which means if you let a few plants flower, you might find it popping up again next year, uninvited but very welcome.
9. Kale (especially baby kale)
Kale has a bit of a reputation for being hardy, and that includes fast-growing baby varieties. You can start harvesting baby leaves in around 3 weeks, and the full heads in 6 to 8. It’s frost-tolerant, disease-resistant, and just keeps producing if you pick it regularly. If weeds are crowding your garden, kale’s big, leafy shade helps slow them down.
10. Beet greens
If you grow beets for the leaves instead of the roots, you can start harvesting super early, sometimes in as little as 3 weeks. The leaves are packed with nutrients and taste like earthy spinach. Beets also germinate fairly quickly, and if you let a few grow into roots later on, you get a two-for-one crop. They’re tough little plants that can take on unpredictable weather and still win.
11. Cress
Cress is probably the speediest plant on this list. You’ll see green in just a few days, and it’s ready to eat in a week or two. It grows on windowsills, patios, or even damp paper towels. It might not be the main attraction in your garden, but it’s perfect if you want a quick boost of homegrown flavour, and it doesn’t give weeds a second to catch up.
12. Courgette
If you’ve ever grown courgettes, you know how quickly they take over. From flower to full fruit can be just a few days once they get going, and the plants themselves grow at breakneck speed. They love heat and rich soil, but they’ll still push through in less-than-ideal conditions. One healthy plant can produce more than enough to feed a family, and definitely enough to humble the weeds nearby.