Carrots

Pulling a carrot you grew from seed out of the ground is one of gardening's most satisfying moments. Short varieties like Thumbelina and Chantenay work in containers and clay soil where longer types struggle. Seeds are tiny and take 2-3 weeks to germinate (patience required), but once they're up, they need almost no attention beyond consistent moisture. Harvest at 60-80 days. The flavor of a homegrown carrot — sweet, earthy, and crisp — makes supermarket carrots taste like cardboard.