If you’re in Lancaster, PA (or a similar climate) and thinking about starting a garden, you might be wondering…
“What should I actually be planting right now?”
I had the same question, and honestly, I kept putting it off because I didn’t want to mess it up.
So instead of overthinking it, I decided to start simple and plant a few beginner-friendly crops (and involve my kiddos!).
This is exactly what we’re planting right now as first-time gardeners, plus what we’ve learned so far.
🌿 A Quick Note About Gardening in Pennsylvania
Living in Lancaster, PA means we’re in a cooler climate with a shorter growing season than warmer states.
That means:
- Some plants need to be started indoors first
- Others can go straight outside
- Timing matters (but perfection doesn’t)
👉 If you’re new like me, don’t stress. Just start with a few things!
🌱 What We’re Starting Indoors Right Now
These are the seeds I’ve started inside using my windowsill setup:
🪴 Tomatoes
A beginner staple.
Why I chose them:
- Easy to grow
- High reward
- Great for summer meals
🌶️ Peppers
A little slower to grow, but worth it.
Tip I’m learning:
They love warmth, so my heat mats have been really helpful here!
🥒 Cucumbers
I’m trying these for the first time.
From what I’ve learned:
- They grow quickly
- They’ll eventually need more space – so I got some lattice at the local garden center
🌿 Herbs (Basil + Others)
These felt like a must!
Why I love them:
- Easy to use in everyday cooking
- Great for beginners
- Can grow well in smaller spaces
🌼 What We Plan to Plant Outside
Once the weather warms up a bit more, we’ll be planting:
- Lettuce
- Carrots
- Green beans
These seem like beginner-friendly options that don’t require too much fuss.
🌱 What We’re Learning So Far
We’re very much in the learning phase, but here’s what’s already helping:
1. Starting small is key
It’s tempting to plant everything, but simple is better.
2. Not everything has to be perfect
Some seeds might not grow, and that’s okay. Or all the seeds will grow and you’ll need to pick the best, and that’s okay too.
3. Just starting is the hardest part
Once you begin, it actually gets exciting. Especially if you include your kids in starting! My kids look check on thier seed babies about every hour it seems!
🛒 What We’re Using
If you’re curious about our setup, I shared everything we’re using here:
👉 Everything I’m Using to Start My First Garden
🤍 If You’re Just Getting Started
If you’ve been thinking about starting a garden, this is your sign.
You don’t need:
- A big backyard
- Expensive tools
- Or a perfect plan
You just need to start!!!
🌿 Follow Along
I’ll be sharing:
- What grows (and what doesn’t 😅)
- What I’m planting next
- What I’m learning as I go
👉 Check out more here: One Forty Seven Blog
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