There are dozens, maybe hundreds, of vegetables that you could choose to grow in your garden. Join Extension Master Gardeners Dona Lee and Susan Wilhelm as they discuss ten vegetables that meet one of these criteria: easy to grow, fun/interesting, nutritious, great taste, lots of variety, and good return on investment. They will describe the vegetable, provide care tips, identify diseases or pests to look out for, and highlight varieties that work well in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 and 8.
Zoom session, April 24. 2026
Video of Presentation
Chapter Breaks
- 0:00:00 Introduction & Overview
- 0:06:05 Keys to Growing Spring & Fall Vegetables
- 0:10:06 Lettuce
- 0:13:23 Spinach
- 0:15:36 Radishes, Carrots & Beets
- 0:24:45 Kale & Collards
- 0:29:31 Keys to Growing Summer Vegetables
- 0:30:19 Bush & Pole Beans
- 0:35:10 Okra
- 0:37:36 Tomatoes
- 0:45:54 Peppers
- 0:51:15 Cucumbers
- 0:55:07 Summer & Winter Squash
- 1:00:31 Questions
- 1:03:35 Pests
- 1:10:54 Diseases
- 1:13:10 Resources
Additional Resources
Spring & Fall Vegetables
1. Lettuce: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lettuce
2. Spinach: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spinach
3. Root Crops: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/426/426-422/SPES-789.pdf
4. Leafy Greens: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-leafy-greens-home-garden
Summer Vegetables
5. Beans: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/beans
6. Okra: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/okra
7. Tomatoes: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-tomatoes-home-garden/
8. Peppers: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-peppers-home-garden/
9. Cucumbers & 10. Melons & Squash: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-406/426-406.html
Bonus:
- Garlic: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-garlic-home-garden/
- Herbs: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/herbs-home-garden
University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Pest & Disease Resources:
- Vegetable Diseases: https://extension.umd.edu/resources/yard-garden/vegetables/vegetable-diseases/
- Vegetable Insects: https://extension.umd.edu/resources/yard-garden/vegetables/vegetable-insects/
Virginia Cooperative Extension Resources
- Virginia’s Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant (426-331) https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/426/426-331/SPES-673.pdf
- 2026 VCE Pest Management Guide Chapter 2 Home Vegetables (Insects, Diseases, Weeds): https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/456/456-018/ENTO-634.pdf