Different Types of Vegetables – The 5 Most Common Vegetable Families
Vegetable gardens have long been a popular hobby and pastime for people around the world. Vegetable gardens give individuals the joy of growing fresh food in their backyards. These gardens range anywhere from being simple gardens of mixed vegetables to having a vegetable garden which includes exotic plants. Growing vegetables is one of the easiest ways to save money and eat healthier. However, in order to grow a vegetable garden, there are several items that you must have before you can begin planting.
First, you must have fruit or vegetable plants. Vegetables are common pieces of plant material that humans or animals consume as food. The original intent behind this is still widely used and is commonly applied to non-vegetable plants together with other fruits and vegetables to refer to all edible part of the plant, which includes the stems, foliage, leaves, and roots. Some examples of fruits and vegetables include apples, bananas, apricots, carrots, corn, melons, peas, spinach, squash, and watermelons.
Second, you must have seeds or seedlings. Seeds are used for the propagation of certain plants. This is a common piece of material that is required for vegetable seeds, as well as for the growth of herbaceous plants such as herbs. Herbs are among the most popular vegetable plants that are grown because of the many delicious tasting herbs they offer.
Third, you need to have plant parts. These include the stems, leaf blades, roots, leaf buds, and other parts of the vegetable kingdom. These are the vegetable parts which will produce seeds and produce new plants. Plants that fall into this category include cucumbers, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, squash, spinach, broccoli, peppers, and beans.
Fourth, you need to have fruits and vegetable for dessert. Fruits and fruit sets are the most common forms of vegetable foods we eat. These include bananas, apples, apricots, carrots, melons, mandarin oranges, peaches, and other sweet fruits. Vegetable breads and pie are other types of dessert which are created by using fruits and fruit sets.
Lastly, there are other varieties of food plants which fall under the classification of botanical. Botanical plants are commonly considered vegetables because of their ability to grow without soil, provided they get an adequate amount of sunlight. There are also varieties that can grow in a more limited space. Examples of botanical vegetables include lettuce, peas, spinach, cabbage, mustard greens, turnips, green beans, kale, and more.