5 Easy-to-Grow Vegetables for Busy Moms (Even If You Forget to Water)

Let’s be real, mama—life is busy. Between work, kids, laundry that seems to multiply overnight, and trying to remember what day it is, sometimes watering the garden just doesn’t make the cut. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy homegrown veggies fresh from your backyard (or even a patio planter).

If you love the idea of gardening but need low-maintenance, fuss-free plants, I’ve got you covered. These five easy-to-grow vegetables thrive with minimal attention, making them perfect for busy moms, forgetful waterers, and anyone who just wants a little garden goodness without the stress.

Green Beans – The Plant That Just Keeps Giving

Why you’ll love them:

• They’re fast-growing and produce like crazy, meaning more food with less effort.
• They thrive in hot Southern summers and don’t mind a little neglect.
• No fancy soil or fertilizers needed—just plant, water when you remember, and harvest.

How to grow:

• Sow seeds directly in the soil after the last frost.
• Water when the soil feels dry (but don’t stress—these plants are survivors).
• Bush beans are the easiest—no trellis needed!

💡 Southern Mama Tip: Pick beans often to keep the plant producing longer. If you forget for too long, they’ll get tough—but even then, they’re great for stir-fries!

Cherry Tomatoes – Sweet, Snackable, and Practically Unkillable

Why you’ll love them:

• Cherry tomatoes are hardy, fast-growing, and don’t mind some neglect.
• They can be grown in containers, raised beds, or right in the ground.
• The kids will love picking them right off the vine for a fresh, sun-warmed snack.

How to grow:

• Plant starter plants (because let’s be honest, ain’t nobody got time to start from seed).
• Give them plenty of sunshine—at least 6 hours a day.
• Water when the soil is dry, but these plants bounce back even if you forget.

💡 Southern Mama Tip: If your tomatoes start looking sad, toss some crushed eggshells in the soil for a calcium boost to prevent blossom-end rot.

Cucumbers – The Zero-Effort Climber

Why you’ll love them:

• They grow fast and love to climb, so they don’t take up much space.
• Perfect for raised beds, trellises, or even a big pot on the patio.
• Once they start producing, you’ll have more cukes than you know what to do with.

How to grow:

• Plant seeds directly in warm soil after the last frost.
• Water deeply but less often—they handle dry spells surprisingly well.
• Give them a trellis or let them sprawl—whichever works for your space.

💡 Southern Mama Tip: Got more cucumbers than you can eat? Slice ‘em up and toss them in a jar with vinegar, garlic, and dill for easy refrigerator pickles!

Kale – The “Plant It and Forget It” Superfood

Why you’ll love it:

• It’s nutrient-packed and grows year-round in mild climates.
• The more you pick, the more it grows—so it just keeps on giving.
• Hardy enough to survive heat, cold, and even neglect.

How to grow:

• Plant in early spring or fall for the best flavor.
• Harvest outer leaves first, and the plant will keep growing from the inside out.
• Water occasionally, but don’t stress—kale is tough.

💡 Southern Mama Tip: Kale gets sweeter after a frost! If you’ve got room, keep a patch in the ground all winter long for fresh greens whenever you need ‘em.

🥔 5. Sweet Potatoes – The Ultimate Set-It-and-Forget-It Crop

Why you’ll love them:

• They thrive in poor soil, need very little water, and practically grow themselves.
• Just plant and forget about them until fall—then dig up a sweet, delicious harvest.
• Bonus: The leaves are edible too! Use them like spinach in stir-fries or salads.

How to grow:

• Plant sweet potato slips (baby plants) in late spring.
• Let them spread and do their thing—they love warm weather and don’t need much attention.
• Dig them up in fall for a sweet, starchy harvest.

💡 Southern Mama Tip: If you cure sweet potatoes (let them sit in a warm place for a couple of weeks after harvest), they get sweeter over time.