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How Long Does It Take to Grow and Harvest Food From Your Garden?

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By Lorraine Coulton Cameron


A Hopey's Garden guide for backyard and container growers across Jamaica.

Welcome to Hopey's Garden

Welcome to Hopey's Garden, where we explore the joy of growing fresh foods right here in Jamaica. Whether you're planting in a backyard, hillside plot, or a simple container on your veranda, gardening connects us to the land and to the traditions we cherish. This guide helps you understand how long popular crops take to grow, so you can plan your garden and enjoy harvests all year long.

Root Crops & Tubers

Crop

Time to Harvest

Irish Potatoes

4 months

Yams (Negro, Yellow, White)

12–15 months

Sweet Potatoes

4–5 months

Cereals

Crop

Time to Harvest

Corn (Green Corn)

10 weeks

Guinea Corn

3 months

Legumes

Crop

Time to Harvest

Soya Beans

2–4 months

Red Peas (String Beans – green)

8 weeks

Red Peas (Dry Pods)

10–12 weeks

Cow Peas, Caroline Peas, Black‑eye & Congo Peas

12–14 weeks

Peanuts

3–6 months

Salad Crops

Crop

Time to Harvest

Lettuce

2–3 months

Beetroot

2–3 months

Carrots

2–3 months

Celery

4–5 months

Turnips

2–2½ months

Radishes

1–1½ months

Tomatoes

4–5 months

Sweet Pepper

4–5 months

Eggplant

3–5 months

Okra

1–1½ months

Cucumber

2–2½ months

Cabbage Family

Crop

Time to Harvest

Cabbage

3½–5 months

Cauliflower

3½–5 months

Kohlrabi

3–4 months

Broccoli

4–5 months

Spinach & Greens

Crop

Time to Harvest

Callaloo

3–3½ months

New Zealand Spinach

2 months

English Spinach

3–4 months

Squash Family

Crop

Time to Harvest

Pumpkins

3–4 months

Melons

3–4 months

Onion Group

Crop

Time to Harvest

Onions

3–4 months

Escallion

9 months

Shallots

3–4 months

Ready to Plant?

Start with quick growers like okra, radish, and lettuce, while your yam, escallion, and pumpkin take their time. Gardening is a journey—enjoy every step and share your progress with our Hopey’s Garden community!


Until next time — keep your hands in the soil, your heart light, and let joy grow.
With love from Hopey’s Garden


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