Updated November 2026
Fast growing vegetables: food on the plate in 60 days or less
From sprouts ready in a week to radishes, greens, beans and zucchini within two months.
The quickest food a garden gives you is ready in about a week: sprouts and microgreens on a sunny windowsill. In the ground, a row of radishes or Asian greens can be on the plate in four to six weeks, and beans, zucchini and lettuce follow within two months. The days below run from sowing to the first harvest, taken from our plant library; warmth, the season and the variety can shift them a week or two either way.
Ready in under two weeks: sprouts and microgreens
| Crop | Days to first harvest |
|---|---|
| Broccoli Sprouts | 7 |
| Radish Sprouts | 8 |
| Sunflower Microgreens | 10 |
| Pea Shoots | 12 |
They need no garden at all: a tray, a jar or a pot on the windowsill. Our microgreens guide covers how.
Ready in 30 to 45 days
| Crop | Days |
|---|---|
| Amaranth | 30 |
| Radish | 30 |
| Komatsuna | 35 |
| Mibuna | 35 |
| Mizuna | 40 |
| Mustard Greens | 40 |
| Rocket | 40 |
| Watercress | 40 |
| Endive | 45 |
| Tatsoi | 45 |
Ready in 50 to 60 days
| Crop | Days |
|---|---|
| Bok Choy | 50 |
| Gai Lan | 55 |
| Lettuce | 55 |
| Spinach | 55 |
| Turnip | 55 |
| Cucumber | 60 |
| Daikon | 60 |
| Kohlrabi | 60 |
| Silverbeet | 60 |
| Snow Peas | 60 |
| Sorrel | 60 |
| Spring Onion | 60 |
| Zucchini | 60 |
What to sow in November, region by region
These come straight from each region's planting calendar for November. Open your region for the full list.
| Region | Quick crops to sow in November |
|---|---|
| Northland | Amaranth (30 days), Radish (30 days), Watercress (40 days), Lettuce (55 days), Cucumber (60 days), Silverbeet (60 days), Spring Onion (60 days) and Zucchini (60 days) |
| Auckland | Amaranth (30 days), Radish (30 days), Watercress (40 days), Lettuce (55 days), Cucumber (60 days), Silverbeet (60 days), Spring Onion (60 days) and Zucchini (60 days) |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | Amaranth (30 days), Radish (30 days), Watercress (40 days), Lettuce (55 days), Cucumber (60 days), Silverbeet (60 days), Spring Onion (60 days) and Zucchini (60 days) |
| Central North Island | Amaranth (30 days), Radish (30 days), Watercress (40 days), Lettuce (55 days), Cucumber (60 days), Silverbeet (60 days), Spring Onion (60 days) and Zucchini (60 days) |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | Amaranth (30 days), Radish (30 days), Watercress (40 days), Lettuce (55 days), Cucumber (60 days), Silverbeet (60 days), Spring Onion (60 days) and Zucchini (60 days) |
| Nelson & Marlborough | Amaranth (30 days), Radish (30 days), Watercress (40 days), Lettuce (55 days), Cucumber (60 days), Silverbeet (60 days), Spring Onion (60 days) and Zucchini (60 days) |
| Canterbury | Amaranth (30 days), Radish (30 days), Komatsuna (35 days), Mibuna (35 days), Mizuna (40 days), Mustard Greens (40 days), Rocket (40 days), Watercress (40 days), Endive (45 days) and Tatsoi (45 days) |
| Otago & Southland | Radish (30 days), Komatsuna (35 days), Mibuna (35 days), Mizuna (40 days), Mustard Greens (40 days), Rocket (40 days), Watercress (40 days), Endive (45 days), Tatsoi (45 days) and Bok Choy (50 days) |
| Central Otago | Amaranth (30 days), Radish (30 days), Mustard Greens (40 days), Rocket (40 days), Watercress (40 days), Endive (45 days), Gai Lan (55 days), Lettuce (55 days), Turnip (55 days) and Daikon (60 days) |
Getting the most from quick crops
Pick outer leaves rather than whole plants, and greens like silverbeet, Asian greens and lettuce keep producing for weeks. Sow a short row every two to three weeks instead of one big sowing, so a new crop is always coming on; our succession planting guide has the timing. Match the crop to the season: Asian greens, rocket, radish and spinach in the cooler months, beans, cucumber and zucchini once it warms up. And harvest young: most quick crops are at their best small and tender.
No garden? Most of these grow well in pots: see our container vegetable gardening guide. And for crops that keep for months as well as quick ones, see our guide to an emergency food supply from the garden.
Track it in the free app
The Planting Season app tells you what to sow each month for your region and tracks every bed and harvest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest vegetable to grow?
Sprouts and microgreens are ready in about one to two weeks. In the ground, radish is the fastest, at about 30 days.
Which fast vegetables grow in the cooler months?
Asian greens such as komatsuna, mizuna and tatsoi, plus rocket, radish and spinach. Your region's calendar shows exactly what can go in this month.
Can I grow fast vegetables in pots?
Yes. Leafy greens, radishes, spring onions and microgreens all do well in containers, which makes them a good start on a balcony or a small patio.