The Urban Patch

I’ll be the first to admit it: I am not a patient person. I love the idea of a slow-growing pumpkin that takes six months to cure on the vine, but in reality? I’m standing over my garden beds every morning like a caffeinated hawk, checking for a single millimetre of growth.

If you’re the kind of person who wants results faster than your local can whip up your flat white, this post is for you. You don’t need to wait half a year to eat from your garden. There are some “sprinters” in the veggie world that go from seed to plate so fast they’ll make your head spin.

1. Radishes (25 Days)

Radishes are the undisputed champions of the “fast food” garden. You can literally sow the seeds on a Sunday and be pulling them out of the dirt before the month is up. They are so fast that I often use them as “space fillers” between my slower-growing plants.

• The Vibe: Crunchy, peppery, and incredibly satisfying to yank out of the ground.
• Urban Patch Tip: Try the ‘French Breakfast’ variety – they look fancy, taste mild, and grow like absolute weeds in small pots.

2. Microgreens (10 Days)

If 25 days is still too long for you, we need to talk about microgreens. These are just baby versions of veggies (like broccoli, kale, or radish) grown densely in a tray. You harvest them as soon as the first “true” leaves appear, making them the ultimate shortcut.

• The Vibe: High-end garnish vibes that make a 2-minute noodle bowl look like a $30 brunch.
• Urban Patch Tip: You don’t need fancy kits; an old takeaway container with a few holes poked in the bottom works perfectly.

3. Rocket (21 Days)

Rocket is the “cut and come again” king of the leafy greens. Once the leaves are about 10cm long, you can snip what you need for a sandwich and the plant will grow it back almost immediately. It’s the closest thing to an infinite salad bar.

• The Vibe: Sharp, peppery, and way more flavorful than the soggy bagged stuff from the supermarket.
• Urban Patch Tip: Rocket loves the cooler “shoulder” seasons in Melbourne – plant it now before the January heatwaves try to turn it bitter.

4. Bok Choy (30 Days)

Asian greens like Bok Choy are built for speed. Because we usually eat them when they are small and tender, you don’t have to wait for them to bulk up into giants. They have shallow roots, which makes them perfect for the “pot life” on a balcony.

• The Vibe: Fresh, crunchy, and perfect for a mid-week stir-fry when the fridge is looking empty.
• Urban Patch Tip: Watch out for the “White Devil” (cabbage moths). A bit of fine netting or a cheeky DIY garlic spray will keep them off your fast-growing prize.

5. Snow Pea Shoots (14 Days)

While waiting for actual pea pods takes about 8 weeks, the shoots and tendrils are a delicacy in their own right. You can start snipping the top 5cm of growth very early on to toss into salads or stir-fries.

• The Vibe: Sweet, “pea-flavored” greens that look beautiful spilling over the side of a hanging basket.
• Urban Patch Tip: Plant these along a sunny railing – they’ll use their little tendrils to climb the bars without you needing to buy a trellis.

💡My Urban Patch Take

Gardening doesn’t have to be a test of stoic endurance. Sometimes you just want to see something happen! These fast crops are the perfect way to build your confidence (and your salad bowl) while you wait for those stubborn tomatoes to finally turn red.

Are you a patient gardener or a “check every five minutes” kind of person? Tell me your fastest harvest record in the comments!