Best Raise Me Up Vegetables in 2026

Fracking Daikon Radish is a deep rooted forage radish that will make an outstanding winter cover crop. The deep taproot of the large rooted plant can help break up the tough, compacted soil, improve water infiltration, suppresses weeds, eliminate pests and stores nitrogen. When planting daikon radish seed as a cover crop, the benefits will be optimized if planted in late summer:

Some people refer to Daikon radish as Oriental radish, Chinese radish, Satsuma radish amd Japanese radish. In fact, Daikon in Japanese means "big root." It is grown around the world, but primarily here in the U.S. Daikon radish seeds are planted as a cover crop to prevent soil compaction, which then allows soil to absorb more rainfall. Daikon radish greatly reduces soil compaction be aerating the soil

Daikon radishes look different than typical garden radishes. They have large, fast growing leaves and a long white root which looks similar to a pale carrot. Daikon can grow up to 20 inches long with a diameter of 4 inches. Their flavor is milder and less peppery than other radishes and can be eaten raw with a crisp and juicy texture. Or, if cooked, the taste is similar to turnip.

Fracking Daikon Radish is a deep rooted forage radish that will make an outstanding winter cover crop. The deep taproot of the large rooted plant can help break up the tough, compacted soil, improve water infiltration, suppresses weeds, eliminate pests and stores nitrogen. When planting daikon radish seed as a cover crop, the benefits will be optimized if planted in late summer:

Some people refer to Daikon radish as Oriental radish, Chinese radish, Satsuma radish amd Japanese radish. In fact, Daikon in Japanese means "big root." It is grown around the world, but primarily here in the U.S. Daikon radish seeds are planted as a cover crop to prevent soil compaction, which then allows soil to absorb more rainfall. Daikon radish greatly reduces soil compaction be aerating the soil

Daikon radishes look different than typical garden radishes. They have large, fast growing leaves and a long white root which looks similar to a pale carrot. Daikon can grow up to 20 inches long with a diameter of 4 inches. Their flavor is milder and less peppery than other radishes and can be eaten raw with a crisp and juicy texture. Or, if cooked, the taste is similar to turnip.

Purple top turnips are a great source of protein for deer and other wildlife.

Purple top turnips are an easy to grow, short season brassica used for cover crops.

This dual-purpose plant produces a large purple top spherical root and leafy foliage that can both be grazed.

Dolichos lablab is a perennial in frost-free zones, and in colder areas it will be a fast growing annual. Commonly called Hyacinth Bean, this vine produces bi-colored purple and white flowers and purple colored seeds pods.

Hyacinth bean is a 96 inch tall climbing, vining perennial in USDA zones 9 - 11.

The foliage is deep green with a slight hint of purple, and the blooms are nicely scented and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Typically it will bloom from mid-summer until fall.

We all know eating your fruits and vegetables are good for you, but some times we don't realize just how good some vegetables and herbs can be. This Swiss chard has green leaves and green stems. To eat Swiss chard, wash chard leaves and stems under cool running water before using.

Swiss chard is a 20 inch tall biennial plant growing in USDA zones 6 - 10.

Remove and sand or grit that is clinging to it. To be sure, separate the leaves from the stems and swirl the leaves around in a large bowl of cool water. Carefully lift out. Remove the fibrous membrane if desired.

Tarragon is a perennial herb which is closely related to sagebrush. This means tarragon thrives in poor, dry, barren soils in areas with warm days and nights. Tarragon grows to 4 to 5 feet tall. The aromatic leaves are thin and blade-like, with a pointed tip.

Tarragon is a 4 - 5 foot tall perennial growing in USDA zones 4 - 9.

Tarragon leaves have a strong, rather sweet anise-like flavor and are used in many foods; particularly, fish dishes. Tarragon is also used in flavoring vinegar. Tarragon is also used to spice up salads, meats, vegetables, sauces, mayonnaise, cheese, and omelettes.

Your herb garden is simply not complete without having Summer Savory! Grow Summer Savory for your garden from herb seeds and season meat and veggies all summer long.

Summer savory is a 12 - 18 inch tall annual herb growing in USDA zones 3 - 9.

As fast as you pick these aromatic leaves, new ones begin to grow! Summer Savory herb is very popular for its seasoning abilities.

Cinnamon Basil grows as an annual in USDA Zones: 4 - 9. It thrives in any full sun herb garden, vegetable garden, or container.

Ocimum Basilicum grows to a height of 12 - 16 inches and is highly aromatic with dark purple to red blooms in the summer.

This fragrant culinary herb is often used in tomato dishes, pasta sauces, vegetables and soups.

Thai Basil grows as an annual in USDA Zones: 4 - 9. It thrives in any full sun herb garden, vegetable garden or as container plant.

Ocimum Basilicum Thai Siam Queen grows to a height of 30 - 40 inches and is hightly aromatic with purple blooms in the summer.

This scented culinary herb is often used in tomato dishes, pasta sauces, vegetables and soup.

Italian Basil grows as an annual in USDA Zones: 4 - 9 and thrives in a full sun vegetable garden or as a container plant.

Ocimum Basilicum, also known as Italian Basil or Sweet Basil Large Leaf grows to a height of 24 inches and is highly aromatic with white blooms in the summer.

This culinary herb is often used fresh or dried in tomato dishes, pasta sauces, with vegetables, soup, or in pestos.

It is a dwarf bush that is typically used as a potted plant, even being grown indoors as a house plants. The Coffee plant produces star-shaped, scented flowers which are followed by fruit.

Coffee plants are grown as 12 inch tall perennial in frost free zones such as USDA zones 8 - 11.

As the fruit ripens, its color changes from green, to red, and then nearly black. Found inside the fruit are the seeds, or Coffee beans which can be roasted and ground and made into coffee.

This Northern Highbush blueberry plants grow as a perennial in USDA Zones 4 - 8 and thrive in full sun and acidic soil.

Vaccinium corymbosum shrubs will reach 5 - 8 feet in height and start producing berries when they are about 2 years old.

In order for blueberry plants to produce berries the soil pH needs to be between 4.5 - 5.0 and during the growing season, they typically require 1 inch of water per week.