With recalls and crop shortages making headlines, growing your own food puts you back in control—with better flavor, reliable access, and peace of mind all season long.
In 2025, headlines have again raised questions about store-bought produce. Lettuce recalls. Strawberry crop losses. Cucumber contamination. These issues aren’t new—but they’re a growing reminder of how unpredictable the supply chain can be.
The good news? When you grow your own, you're avoiding risk AND getting better flavor, fresher food, and the confidence that comes from knowing exactly where your food came from.
At Park Seed, we help gardeners take control of their harvests with reliable seeds and plants, expert support, and varieties that thrive from seed to plate.
Grow Lettuce: It’s a Smart Start
Romaine and mixed leaf lettuces have seen multiple recalls in recent years. By growing your own, you skip the risk and gain crisp, fresh leaves that taste better than anything from a plastic bag. Varieties like ‘Buttercrunch’ and 'Little Gem' are fast-growing and perfect for containers or raised beds.
Enjoy Homegrown Strawberries: Sweet and Self-Reliant
Recent weather extremes hit Texas strawberry fields hard, tightening supply across the South. But with everbearing or day-neutral strawberries in your own garden, you can enjoy juicy, ripe berries without worry. They’re easy to grow in the ground, containers, or even hanging baskets.
Crispy Cucumbers: A Fresh Option with Fewer Risks
After a Salmonella outbreak linked to imported cucumbers in late 2024, many gardeners are opting to grow their own. Varieties like ‘Marketmore 76’ and ‘Straight Eight’ are dependable, quick to mature, and excellent for slicing or pickling.
Broccoli and Leafy Greens: Grow What’s Hard to Find
Weather disruptions have led to broccoli shortages and price hikes this year. Leafy greens like spinach and kale, often grown in similar conditions, have seen increasing demand. Starting your own from seed is easy—and many leafy greens tolerate early spring and fall temperatures.
Tomatoes and Carrots: Kitchen Staples, Garden Ready
While not under recall, tomatoes and carrots have seen unstable pricing and supply this season. These are some of the most rewarding crops to grow at home. With compact varieties like ‘Bush Early Girl’ and fast-growing carrot types like ‘Little Finger,’ you can harvest within weeks.
When to Plant & How Quickly You’ll Harvest
You don’t need to wait months for homegrown success. Here's a quick look at how fast some of these crops go from planting to plate:
|
Crop |
Days to Harvest |
Notes |
|
Lettuce |
30–55 days |
Quick and ideal for succession planting. |
|
Spinach |
35–45 days |
Cool-season favorite with fast growth. |
|
Radishes |
20–30 days |
One of the fastest-growing crops. |
|
Cucumbers |
50–70 days |
Fast, especially in warm soil. |
|
Strawberries |
60–90 days (from crowns) |
Perennial with long-term yields. |
|
Carrots |
60–75 days |
Easy to grow, especially in loose soil. |
|
Tomatoes |
60–85 days (from transplant) |
Great yield and endless flavor. |
Ready to Start Your Own Home Harvest?
Gardening isn’t just a way around recalls, it’s a better way forward. With Park Seed’s trusted varieties and growing resources, you’ll find it’s easier than ever to grow fresh food you can count on.
|
Crop |
Planting Method |
Ideal Planting Time (Zones 6–8) |
Days to Harvest |
|
Lettuce |
Direct sow or transplant |
Early spring & fall |
30 |
|
Spinach |
Direct sow |
Early spring & fall |
35 |
|
Radish |
Direct sow |
Early spring through fall |
25 |
|
Cucumber |
Direct sow or transplant |
Late spring to early summer |
60 |
|
Strawberries |
Transplant crowns or bare roots |
Early spring |
75 |
|
Carrots |
Direct sow |
Early spring |
70 |
|
Tomatoes |
Start indoors, then transplant |
8-10 weeks before last frost |
75 |
There’s something deeply rewarding about harvesting food you’ve grown with your own hands. In every tomato, in every crisp leaf of lettuce, you’ll find not just unbeatable flavor and peace of mind. Growing your own food means taking control of your health, your pantry, and your connection to the earth.
At Park Seed, we’re here to make that journey as simple and satisfying as it should be. With trusted seeds, expert guidance, and a legacy rooted in American soil, we’re committed to helping you grow with confidence.
So go ahead—sow the seeds of self-reliance, and reap the joy of a garden that gives back season after season. Your food, your way. Always fresh. Always in stock. Always worth it.
