Growing vegetables in North Carolina can be challenging due to the climate and soil conditions. The ideal growing season for vegetables in this state is short, making it especially important to know which vegetables will perform best given the conditions.
To make things easier for gardeners, I have compiled a list of ten of the best vegetables you can easily grow in North Carolina. They also produce quickly, so you won’t have to wait long for a harvest. Not only will having these fresh veggies give you nutritious meals all summer long, but they’ll also look great when added to your garden bed and patio containers.
Table of Contents
Here are 10 Best Vegetables to Grow in Nc
1. Asparagus
Asparagus is one of the most versatile vegetables, often enjoyed for its health benefits and delicious flavor. It is a particularly popular choice in springtime when it is widely available in markets. Asparagus grows best in cold temperatures and can be found around the world.
When shopping for asparagus, there are three main varieties that you will typically find – white, green, and purple or “Bath” asparagus. White asparagus has a mildly sweet taste, while green asparagus provides a grassier flavor with undertones of vegetables such as artichokes or celery.
Finally, purple or Bath asparagus is slightly more tender and bitter with a unique herbaceous flavor. Each can be served cooked or raw, depending upon your preference. All offer significant nutrition benefits, including high levels of Vitamins A, C, K, and E; minerals like iron; dietary fiber; low calories; and an abundance of antioxidants.
2. Sweet Corn
Fresh sweet corn is one of North Carolina’s summertime favorites. This nutritious vegetable is available in white, yellow, and bi-color ears, and with the aid of warm summer days and fertile soil, corn can be harvested for months. In order to produce a superior ear of corn, the University of Illinois suggests planting sugary enhancer corn.
Planting should begin around April 15th in North Carolina, as soon as it feels like summer. Clear out a sunny section of your garden, and plant seeds 1/2-inch deep about 9 to 12 inches apart in the soil. As planting season advances into late spring, it won’t take long until you have rows full of sweet summer corn ready to harvest. Once mature, pull back the husks to check the kernels – when they are plump and juicy, you’ll know it’s time.
3. Southern Peas
Known also as cowpeas or blackeyed peas, southern peas have been a staple of North Carolina gardens for centuries. These warm-weather vegetables are typically planted between May 15th and late June, with an expected maturity of 60 to 90 days later.
Southern peas thrive in full sun and part shade, making them a great addition to any garden bed. Besides providing much-needed nutrition to poor soils as fertilizer, the peas require trellising for proper growth.
Harvesting these tasty legumes is simple; the pods should be gathered when they start bulging out but are still tender and bright green. The peas can be immediately cooked fresh or left on the plant until the pods turn yellow or brown for dried peas. While southern peas are typically eaten boiled in salt water or fried in butter or bacon fat, their uses really depend on the cook’s imagination.
4. Collards
Collards are popular in North Carolina, and their season begins in early August. Gardeners can sow seeds 1/4-inch deep in the soil and leave 6 inches between plants as they grow. The cool-season vegetable matures 60 to 75 days and is ready for harvest. Gardeners can pick individual leaves or pull up the entire plant when it’s time.
In the cabbage family, collards have thick stems, tough leaves, and a fibrous texture that require more cooking before consumption. Braising or steaming helps break down their cell structure and makes them easier to chew and digest. To give collards extra flavor, add aromatic spices like garlic or onions.
5. Okra
Okra is a popular vegetable with many uses and is adaptable to many climates. It grows best in warm weather and can be planted in North Carolina as soon as May 1. When sowing okra seeds, space them 12-24 inches apart and set them 1 inch deep. If the pods are left on the vine for too long, they become tough and unpalatable, so you should cut them off when they are 2-3 inches long.
Once harvested, there are numerous options for okra preparation ranging from frying to boiling or stewing it. Additionally, okra can be sliced thinly and pickled for extended shelf life and flavor enhancement.
In Northern Carolina, gardeners may also look into planting collards that thrive in cooler weather; these vegetables should not be planted during summertime. Similar harvesting rules should be followed for such plants – cut off the pods when they reach an average length of 2-3 inches – as longer pods will lose their taste and texture over time.
6. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are incredibly popular warm-weather vegetable gardeners in North Carolina that can easily incorporate into their summer planting. With such a wide variety of types, colors, and flavors, there is surely something for every kind of gardener.
Cherry tomatoes, paste tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, and cluster tomatoes are examples of options available. When planting them in full sun, it is recommended to use a tomato cage in order to provide support as they mature over the season.
Early Girl tomatoes are especially quick-growing, taking only 55 days to reach maturity; other varieties typically require 65 to 70 days. Having reliable references and resources is also important when starting any vegetable garden project.
7. Green Beans
Green beans are a versatile vegetable enjoyed for hundreds of years. Of the varieties of green beans out there, the two most popular are bush and pole beans. Bush beans are more compact, shorter plants that generally produce an entire crop at once, while pole beans grow larger vines and require some form of support as they climb up.
Bush beans can be planted close together in small rows along garden beds due to their smaller size and/or container plantings, making them great options for small gardens or limited space. They only require light staking or no staking, depending on the variety.
Pole beans, conversely, need sturdy poles or trellises to provide them enough support as they climb to full growth. While pole beans take longer to mature and ripen than bush beans, each variety has its own unique flavor.
Regardless of which type you choose to grow in your garden, green beans remain a nutrient-dense vegetable filled with vitamins A and C, rich sources of iron, and dietary fiber.
8. Squash
Squash is another vegetable that can be easily grown in North Carolina with a little bit of care and attention. Summer squash varieties like zucchini, yellow crookneck, and pattypan are some of the most popular growing options during the warmer months.
A key factor in successful summer squash growth is planting the seeds at the right time – when soil temperatures reach 65 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The plants should be spaced at least 3 feet apart as they mature.
Winter squash varieties such as acorn and butternut can also be grown in North Carolina. Generally, these require a longer growing season and are best planted after mid-July when soil temperatures are sufficiently warm for optimal growth. Winter squash requires more space – up to 6 feet between plants – and should be planted in a location that receives full sun.
9. Carrots
Carrots are a root vegetable prized for their crunchy texture and sweet flavor. They can be grown in North Carolina in the spring or fall season, requiring a few important considerations for successful cultivation. For starters, carrots require loose, well-draining soil to grow their long roots successfully. To ensure this, it is important to till the soil 8.
Carrots also benefit from raised beds or containers. They tend to be more productive when the soil is light and slightly warmer than ground level. Additionally, carrots should be planted in an area that receives full sun exposure throughout the day.
It is important to remember that carrots can take up to 70 days to mature, so patience and proper care are key. Finally, it helps to mulch the soil around the carrot plants to keep them moist and protected from weeds.
10. Eggplant
One of the most common varieties in grocery stores is the Italian eggplant, with its deep glossy purple skin and elongated shape. Then there’s the Thai eggplant, about half the size of an Italian eggplant but with an even deeper shade of purple. And lastly, there’s the Fairy Tale eggplant, a miniature variety that looks more like a tomato but retains its signature mild sweetness without becoming bitter.
Regardless of your type, quality eggs should be firm and heavy for their size and have smooth skins — wrinkles indicate they are past their prime or possibly under-ripe. No matter what variety you select, though, incorporating this delicious veggie into your diet can provide numerous health benefits due to its high antioxidant content and fiber composition.
What is the North Carolina Zone?
The United States Department of Agriculture has divided the state into 8 plant hardiness zones in North Carolina. This is done to identify which plants can survive year-round in different parts of the state.
The main factors that make up these zones are how cold winter temperatures get and how hot summer temperatures can be. This determines if the plants in the area can withstand fluctuations in climate.
Knowing your area’s hardiness zone is essential for choosing successful plants for your garden. Plants need specific temperature requirements that depend on their origins, so what might work well for one person might not work for another based on where they reside in North Carolina.
With this in mind, consult a reliable source such as a gardening book, online guide, or local garden center before planting anything new in your area. Once you have all the information, you can start planning and preparing for a productive spring gardening season.
When is the Perfect Time to Plant in North Carolina?
It’s better to begin planting your backyard garden in spring since the moist soil will make digging easier, especially if your soil is clay-based. Doubling digging is an excellent option to help loosen and enrich the soil prior to planting. To do this, create a bed two feet deep and add an inch or two of compost to the bottom. Mix compost into the soil you excavated as you fill the bed.
It’s important to note that double digging can be hard work and may require some form of tool, depending on how deep you need your bed. Also, it’s important to monitor moisture levels when creating and filling your beds, ensuring not to over-water or flood them, as this can hinder plant growth and kill off beneficial microbes and insects in the soil.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. What is the most profitable crop to grow in NC?
Sweet potatoes and tobacco are among the most popular crops. China and Mexico have been the leading partners for the state in exporting tobacco in 2018, followed by Indonesia, Switzerland, and Italy.
2. What vegetables grow best in NC?
North Carolina is a great place to grow a variety of vegetables. The most popular choices include tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, lettuce, corn, and beans. While these are some of the more common vegetables grown in North Carolina, there are also many other options, such as eggplant, okra, carrots, and potatoes.
3. Which is a luxurious crop?
One of the most luxurious crops to grow in North Carolina is artichokes. Artichokes grow best in areas with mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine, making them perfect for many regions of NC. They require a well-drained soil that is slightly acidic and should be planted in early spring. Artichokes will produce large, flavorful buds that can be harvested throughout the summer months. If you’re looking for a unique and delicious crop to add to your garden, artichokes may be perfect.
4. What is a miracle crop?
Soybean is one of the most useful crops in the world, with hundreds of uses, including animal feed, biofuel, fertilizer, cleaning products, cosmetics, candles, and a protein source through soymilk and tofu, as well as being a source of calcium and potassium.
5. Is farming profitable in the USA?
According to the USDA, farm businesses’ average net cash farm income (NCFI) is forecast to be $92,400 in the calendar year 2023, down 17.7% from 2022. A farmer’s NCFI includes his cash receipts for farming and his farm-related income, including government payments, minus the cash expenditures involved in his farming activities.
Conclusion
North Carolina is an ideal place to start a garden, as its mild climate and rich soil make it the perfect environment for growing various vegetables. However, the NC climate can make it difficult to grow some veggies; if you can give proper care, they’ll bloom—those crops mentioned above are easy to grow, and enjoy fresh and crunchy veggies.
