New food trends are constantly popping up, and it can feel like a new one every day. But some trends have staying power because they speak to consumers’ interests and concerns.

Farm-to-table eating is one of those trends. Consumers want to know where their food comes from and are interested in local sourcing of products.

For many, farm-to-table eating means growing and harvesting your produce to eat what you grow. Growing your food can be a fun hobby or even an easy way to save money on your grocery bill. However, it might seem challenging if you don’t have a green thumb. Luckily, plenty of plants make great first crops for anyone trying to grow their produce.

Here are the best foods to grow for farm-to-table eating:

Beans

Edible beans have been cultivated for more than 10,000 years. They are very common in cuisines around the world, especially Latin American and Asian cuisines.

They are easy to grow and are usually ready to harvest within 90 days. Beans can be eaten fresh, dried, or frozen as well. They are rich in protein and are a great source of fiber, iron, and B vitamins.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes have been cultivated for thousands of years, a common vegetable in many gardens. They are rich in lycopene, reducing the risk of many diseases, including cancer and heart disease.

Tomatoes can be eaten fresh or used in many different recipes. They can be eaten raw or cooked, and they are often a key ingredient in many dishes, like salsa, pizza, and pasta.

Growing tomatoes is relatively easy but requires water, sunlight, and nutrients. Soil pH levels should be between 6.5 and 7.5, and tomatoes are heavy feeders, it prefer soil with a high organic matter content.

They grow best in full sun, so if you don’t get much sun, you can grow them indoors or in a greenhouse. You can grow different varieties of tomatoes to extend your harvest and make it easier to use them in different ways.

Cherry tomatoes are particularly good for indoor growing, and they also make great additions to salads.

Herbs

Herbs are easy to grow and make great additions to any garden. They are best grown in pots or designated garden plots so they can be easily harvested and are not taking space away from other plants.

However, herbs can be harvested frequently, and a small plot of herbs can provide enough for multiple meals, so they are a great choice for growing in containers or small gardens where space is limited.

Herbs have very specific growing requirements and are often finicky plants, but they are easy to start from seed and are fairly inexpensive so they can be a great option for beginning gardeners. Common herbs easily grown in containers include basil, cilantro, oregano, parsley, thyme, and many others.

Herbs like basil are great herb to grow because it is used in many different types of food, including salads, tomato sauces, and pesto. Basil can also be used as a garnish for drinks or decoration, adding to your garden in many different ways.

Pumpkin

Pumpkins are popular fall decorations and delicious snacks that can be used in many different recipes. They grow best in full sun and rich soil but require plenty of water during their growing season. Pumpkins are a good option if you want to grow something decorative, but they are also edible and can be used in many different dishes.

Pumpkins can be eaten fresh or used to make pie and other pumpkin-based desserts. They can also be roasted for snacking or added to soups and stews. Pumpkins are easy to grow and can be harvested when they are still small, so they can be eaten fresh and do not have to be stored for later use.

Pumpkins grow best when they have plenty of space, so they are often grown in large garden plots or containers. They can be grown in many climates and are a great choice for beginning gardeners as they are not finicky plants and are easy to care for.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a common vegetable used in many different types of food and are often an easy addition to any meal. They can be eaten fresh, added to salads, or made into different salads, side dishes, and even desserts.

They can also be pickled, fermented, or made into other preserved foods. Cucumbers grow best in warm weather, often in greenhouses or gardens in Southern states during the summer.

They do not need much water, but they do need plenty of sunlight. Cucumbers can be grown in containers, raised beds, or on the ground, but they prefer sandy soil free of rocks and other materials that may damage their roots.

They can be grown from seedlings or seeds, and they are fairly easy to care for and very rewarding plants to grow.