It is sometimes tricky to find the best vegetables to grow in your garden. That's particularly true if you are not familiar with climate and temperature zones. In the US, there is a special Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones you should be familiar with or else you won't be able to choose vegetables properly.

To be successful in vegetable gardening you need to know what vegetables to plant and what you can do with them once you've harvested them. The best way is to simply stick to the basics that are exceptionally versatile. Some of the basic vegetables ideal for beginner gardeners include:

Tomatoes

They are easy to grow throughout United States and many other parts of the world. You may choose between heirloom varieties and classic beefsteak tomatoes. They come in many different shapes, colors and sizes so you can choose the best ones for your garden. You may even opt for tiny cherry and grape tomatoes. They are ideal for salads and they can be added to a shish kabob. Tomatoes can be added to many meals, and they can be turned into a soup or you can make sauces out of them. Tomatoes are truly versatile plants.

Lettuce

Just like tomatoes, there are many different types of lettuce, so you will be able to choose the one to grow in your garden. There are head lettuces, such as iceberg, and leaf lettuces, such as romaine. You will also be able to find hybrid varieties such as summercrisp, which fall somewhere between the head and leaf types. This versatile vegetable can be used in many different ways. It can be added to tacos, used to top off a cheeseburger or become the base of a fresh garden salad.

Cabbage

This is another versatile vegetable. You will find several different types to choose from, such as green, white, red and Savoy. They all can be served in different ways. You can slice up cabbage and make a sauerkraut, or warp it around ground beef and top with tomato sauce to make stuffed cabbage. Of course, you can simply shred cabbage and use it into salads.

Squash

There are several types of squash, divided into 2 broad categories: summer and winter. Summer squashes, such as zucchini and pattypan, grow throughout the whole United States. Winter squashes, such as butternut, acorn and spaghetti, live only in certain parts of the country. It's also worth noting that pumpkins are also considered a winter squash, but they grow throughout the country. You can use squash in many different ways, and it often depends on the variety. It can be sliced up and grilled, made into breads and pies, or even sliced and substituted for pasta noodles.

Peppers

Different types of peppers thrive in different areas of the country. For example, hot peppers prefer warmer climate while sweet peppers like cooler north and Midwest. You will probably be able to grow at least one pepper variety no matter where you live. You can use peppers in many different ways. Sweet peppers can be used to make stuffed peppers (also known as Spanish rice) or you can use them in salads. Hot peppers are excellent for tacos, salsas and pizza toppings.

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