You don't have to be a kid to appreciate the many wonders that come along with growing your very first garden. Many of us have experienced the pure excitement that comes with plunging a garden fork deep into the ground and unearthing a cluster of fresh new potatoes, their bright red skins emerging from black earth as the soil crumbles away. Such a sight can elicit squeals of excitement even from a seasoned gardener, but to a child this event can be life changing, setting them upon a quest to further explore nature and all its bounty.
Fast-growing seeds like the ones mentioned in this article offer a fantastic starting point for children of all ages, captivating young minds with their swift transformation from tiny specks to flourishing plants. In this guide, we've curated a list of our top 7 favorite fast-growing seeds tailored specifically for kids. From the thrill of watching seeds sprout to the joy of harvesting their own produce, these selections promise excitement and learning at every stage of the growing journey.
1. Lima Beans
Germination Time: 7-10 days
Time to Harvest: 70 days (Bush-types) 90-100 days (Pole-types)
Why We Love Them:
There's a reason why lima beans are probably the most popular seed for growing in the classroom. They're large and can be easily handled by little hands. They germinate quickly and at rates unmatched by most other seed types. What's more, they are very forgiving. So long as you somewhat bury the seed and water it, you're bound to see a sprout in a matter of days.
Lima beans also offer a great educational opportunity for students because the parts of the seedling are large and easily identified. Even very young children can learn to identify the root, hypocotyl (or seedling stem), and cotyledons of a lima bean seedling. Older students can expand upon this learning by applying experimental variables, such as changing the amount of light available to the germinating seedling and observing its effect on the hypocotyl elongation or varying the temperature and measuring the differences in seed germination and leaf emergence rates. The opportunities are endless.
2. Marigolds
Germination Time: 5-10 days
Time to Flowering: 55-60 days
Why We Love Them:
One of my first gardening memories involved helping my grandmother collect marigold seeds when I was scarcely more than a toddler. I still remember her standing beside me holding a paper bag as I harvested the slender, papery seeds from the flowers growing in a whiskey barrel just outside her front door.
As my grandmother knew well, marigolds are a great flower to use when introducing your child or grandchild to gardening. The seeds have an interesting shape, and they germinate quickly to reveal dark green seedlings with unusual, deeply cut leaves. In a matter of weeks, blooms begin to appear in a series of bright orange and yellow hues. Marigolds just might be one of the quickest and easiest flowers a child could grow.
It could just be me, but I also find their scent to be distinctively pleasant. They say that scent is one of the strongest senses tied to memory and I'd agree. Brushing my hands along the leaves of marigolds still elicits fond memories of my grandmother, who nearly 40 years ago planted the seeds in my young heart that would one day flourish into a passion for seed saving.
3. Radishes
Germination Time: 5-10 days
Time to Flowering: 21-30 days
Why We Love Them:
Radishes may not be one of the most requested foods by children, but we think they're worth a try and here's why: Radishes are probably the fastest germinating seed that you can grow. I've seen them germinate in just over 48 hours, which is a welcomed sight when your toddler has been poking at the soil non-stop since the moment they were planted. Radishes also offer a very fast harvest interval (as short as 21 days) so not much patience is needed while they're growing. Furthermore, they can be sown outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked so they just might be your first opportunity in the spring to get those little hands out into some real dirt.
And just because radishes aren't the first thing that comes to mind when choosing vegetables to offer your child doesn't mean they won't like them. We have one child who has loved radishes from a very young age and the others came along pretty quickly. Offer kids a little ranch dressing on the side and you just might be surprised what they'll eat.
One last thing. Although carrots didn't make this list (due to their long germination period), I'd encourage you to try interplanting carrot seeds along with your radishes. They're the perfect companion for radishes and the seedlings emerge around the time the radishes are harvested, making them a two-fer in terms of garden space. What's more, you'll have a backup plan just in case the radishes don't go over as well as we had hoped.
4. Tomatoes
Germination Time: 7-10 days
Time to Harvest: 60+ days
Why We Love Them:
If this article were just about the speed from sowing to harvest, I probably wouldn't include this one. Tomatoes do require some patience while waiting for harvests to begin. Don't let that discourage you, though. Tomato seeds germinate very quickly (in as few as 5 days) and they're a lot of fun to grow! Plus, with the ideal sowing time being 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, they're often one of the first vegetables to be sown indoors. I can't think of a better activity for a cold day.
If your child is a bit on the antsy side (or maybe you are— we don't judge) there are tomato varieties that produce pretty quickly. Our Siberian tomatoes, for example, can produce in as few as 6 weeks from transplant, and our Texas Tiny tomatoes have been known to set fruit before they're even transplanted. Be forewarned, however, that Texas Tiny is the proverbial Jack-and-the-Beanstalk of the tomato world, with mature vines often surpassing 15 feet. One more reason for kids to love them, I suppose.
The last point I'd like to press here is that many children love tomatoes, either inherently or with persistence, and this is particularly true for the sweet cherry types. Before they could even walk, our children would pull themselves up on the cages and pluck handfuls of cherry tomatoes off the vines. To a young child who has yet to experience the extreme sweets our modern diets offer, a cherry tomato at peak ripeness probably tastes like candy.
5. Sunflowers
Germination Time: 6-10 days
Time to Flowering: 60+ days
Why We Love Them:
Sunflowers come in all shapes and sizes, and to date we've yet to find one that our children didn't like. The tall ones harken of fairytales with their towering, thick, prickly stalks. Their large heads are attractive to bumblebees and once mature, they magically tip over under the weight of their ripening seed crop. Nowadays, there are even dwarf types that afford a child the opportunity to witness all that magic at eye level. What's more, sunflowers offer more than beauty. They boast an edible seed crop. You and your child or grandchild can even experiment with roasting and flavoring your own sunflower seeds! Just be sure to save some seeds for next year. Children will be amazed that the seeds they grew and harvested are producing once again.
6. Corn
Germination Time: 7-10 days
Time to Harvest: 60+ days
Why We Love It:
I can't think of a plant that offers more opportunities to learn about different facets of plant growth and development than corn. I could be biased because I spent nearly 15 years studying the intricate details of this beloved farming staple, but hear me out. First of all, corn is very, very easy to grow from seed. Throw some in a dixie cup with some damp soil and you'll be seeing sprouts in a matter of days. But the real teaching value of this plant comes later. This is because corn, unlike many other plants, bears its male and female flowers on different parts of the plant. The male flowers are found on the tassel at the top of the plant, while the female flowers are found on what will become the ear.
Didn't know that corn had flowers? See, I told you it had a lot of educational value.
With some simple tools, like a paper bag and stapler to collect and apply pollen to the female silks, you and your child or student can perform your very first hand-pollination. You're on your way to being an expert seed saver! Now plant two different varieties and you're really digging deep. You've now unlocked the potential to cross pollinate, opening up the possibility for lessons in biology, genetics, plant development, breeding, the homeschool mom's head could explode!
Okay, I'm taking a deep breath.
Let's just say that this is one plant you don't want to ignore if you're looking for fun, educational, fast-growing seeds for kids. If you're limited on space, try a shorter variety like Tom Thumb Popcorn, which grows just 3 feet tall and can even be grown in containers. In the mood for something sweet? Try Hayes White, our favorite sweet corn variety, which also tends to be more compact, making it perfect for raised beds and small gardens. Ready for that genetics lesson? Try growing some Black Mexican sweet corn beside your Hayes White and observe how its once white kernels turn purple once pollinated by its neighbor. The possibilities are endless.
7. Peas
Germination Time: 7-10 days
Time to Harvest: 50+ days
Why We Love Them:
With Gregor Mendel (the father of genetics) firmly turned in his grave over the idea that I suggested corn was the ideal plant to study genetics, I have to give props to his preferred plant, peas. Peas, like corn, sprout quickly, usually in a week or so. They also have the added benefit of being small, so they can be easily grown by those with limited garden space. What's more, they can be planted early-- as soon as the soil can be worked-- so they're great for kids who are eager to get their hands dirty.
You can even grow peas in containers. Our Tom Thumb peas are perfect for growing in pots and they mature in a matter of weeks. Peas also come in an array of different types with varying growth habits, flower colors, and seed characteristics. Alright, Gregor, I see your point. Peas are a pretty perfect learning tool.
Besides their educational value, fresh peas are pretty darn tasty, and I've yet to meet a kid who disagrees. They're also a lot of fun to shell. Who wouldn't get excited opening up a pod and seeing a line of big, plump peas inside? Be forewarned that they won't all make it back to the house. These tasty treats are sometimes just too good to pass up.
In Summary: Our favorite fast-growing seeds for children
Whether your child is already showing an interest in gardening, or you just want to plant that seed early (see what we did there?), there's always something new and interesting to be learned from gardening. With their fast germination time and ease of growth, the seeds mentioned in this post are a great place to start their gardening journey. In the end, though, don't focus too much on making it the perfect experience. The most important part is to just get started and have some fun. Grab some seeds, some containers, and some soil and get those little hands dirty. You'll be amazed at how much fun you can have together!
Feeling inspired? You can find many of the seeds mentioned here together in one collection at a discounted price. Our Children's Garden Collection features 12 kid-friendly varieties perfect for gardeners of all ages. Alternatively, you can browse our catalog to find heirlooms that are perfect for your garden and family.
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